Contest spotlights the beauty of Allegan County

Allegan County Community Foundation recently sponsored a photo contest to highlight the county while supporting local nonprofits. The organization received more than 300 entries.

A photo of a red A-frame home in Allegan covered by a blanket of snow on a peaceful wintry day was the winner, with more than 1,500 votes.  “Snowy Allegan” was taken by Amber Loftus, who also had several of the runner-up photos. 

What’s her secret for catching an eye-catching photo?

“I try to observe what’s around me and take photos in the moment as they present themselves,” Loftus says. “A lot of my photos are taken from my backyard. Some were also taken in my travels. When I see something cool, I pull over for a photo.” 

Nonprofits win, too

Along with winning a gift card to Mugshots, a local coffee shop, each winner got to direct a grant to a local nonprofit organization of their choice. 

Loftus directed her $500 gift to Project Hope Thrift Store / Annetta Jansen Ministries.

Krista Hiscock, who won second place for her photo, “Stunning Sunrise Downtown Allegan,” directed her $250 gift to Wings of Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Inc.‘

Matthew Luyk, who won third place for his photo, “Foggy Backdrop at L.E. White Middle School” asked that his $100 gift be given to Allegan Online & Adult Education.

Amanda Chappell, the foundation’s communications and development coordinator, came up with the idea of the photo contest, which was open to all Allegan County residents.

“Within our county, we have so much beauty, from the lakeshore to the woods, and we wanted that to shine through the contest,” Chappell says. “The contest  was a great way to connect with community members and a chance for us to support our non-profit partners with the grants, which is at the core of what we do at the Foundation.”

The photos will be featured at the foundation’s office in Allegan.