At a recent gathering of donors, Russ Satake announced that the new Bruno-Adams Bright Futures Fund raised over $400,000 during the organization’s 25th anniversary last year.
MTC is extremely grateful to Russ for his leadership. Board Chair Paul Schutz says, “Russ had a vision to launch a fund that would strengthen the organization through trying times far into the future, and over the past year, he led the effort to make that vision a reality.”
For 25 years, volunteer mentors and tutors have impacted the lives of thousands of local students. Satake has been one of them, serving as a tutor to elementary students and a mentor to high school students. After seeing the impact and experiencing the program firsthand, Russ joined the Mentor Tutor Connection board of directors in 2016 with a desire to ensure the organization would be successful not only during his tenure but long into the future.
With the 25th anniversary milestone approaching, Russ shared his vision that the organization create a fund to grow and sustain the work—serving students for another 25 years. The Board of Directors felt this was the perfect opportunity to honor the organization’s founders, Marge Bruno and Bob Adams, who had the idea that caring adults in the community could support local students if provided the tools to do so.
Russ shared that he was inspired by the generosity of community members who believed that kids in our community today and into the future deserve our investment of time and resources. “I want to be sure that our community continues to deliver the academic and emotional support that empowers youth to reach their potential and thrive,” says Russ. “I have personally seen the impact we can have as caring adults who show up for kids in our community.”
MTC Executive Director, Carol Olson, shared, “Russ gives his time directly to students as a tutor and a mentor, he shares his experience and guidance as a leader of the organization, he generously donates to the organization, and he has now helped us launch this new fund to grow and sustain the organization. His contribution is truly a legacy for MTC and for kids in our community.”