School project earns UCS grad regional philanthropic award

A 2014 Utica Community Schools graduate has been honored for a charity event he coordinated as part of a school project.

Mark Hooven is receiving the Sparky Anderson Award for Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy for raising approximately $65,000 through a charity rock concert he organized while a student at Utica Academy for International Studies (UAIS).

Hooven, who currently attends Oakland University, will be honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter during an awards ceremony at Cobo Center on November 12.

Called “Slash Hunger,” Hooven’s December 2013 concert at Stevenson High School was a fundraiser for Hope Center of Macomb. Hope Center is a client-choice food pantry available at no cost to individuals and families in need who reside in Macomb County.

Hooven organized the concert as part of the UAIS International Baccalaureate graduation requirement that has students complete a comprehensive service project. He handled every aspect of the event, including organizing, promoting and scheduling.

At the time of the concert, Hooven said he wanted to support a local charity that filled a community need. “It feels good to help a charity that is sponsor-driven and often has difficulty getting by week to week,” he said.

The concert featured four alternative bands: two professional and two comprised of Utica Community Schools students.