Post by Todd Poquette DHT, AFI

In April, 906 Adventure Team received its biggest contribution to Gluski Park in the form of an $800,000 investment from the Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation. The generous gift is a huge boost to the project and the organization. The Daniel J. Kobasic Foundation was created in 2017 to honor the legacy of Daniel J. Kobasic - an Escanaba entrepreneur and merchant marine. Danica Stanciu, daughter of Daniel and President of the DJK Foundation board describes her dad as a brilliant man. "He was a visionary. He was bold and he was driven." Daniel came from a modest background - one of 11 children. Danica recalls someone once telling her, "Your dad was one in a million - no, he was one in a hundred million - he was truly an extraordinary person." After graduating high school, Daniel walked onto an iron ore ship. He started as a deck hand and worked his way up to second mate. He circumnavigated the globe three times, sailed for years in southwest Asia and after seeing the world decided to come back home to Escanaba. Upon returning he built Shakey's pizza restaurant and started a successful marine fabrication business. He expanded to ice breaking on Lake Michigan. DJK Foundation's Chief Financial Officer Todd LaFave remembers Daniel as an honest man. "He was as straight a shooter as anyone you would meet. He was unique. I've never met anyone like him and will never meet anyone like him again." Daniel left the bulk of his estate to the DJK Foundation with a mission focused on increasing the wellness of individuals from Escanaba, Delta County, the Upper Peninsula and even extending nationally and internationally. The foundation is focused on opportunities that align with the values of Daniel - determination, hard work, grit, strength, dedication, resilience. Sound familiar? Daniel's character, built on doing hard things - runs parallel to the mission of 906 Adventure Team. LaFave says, " We wanted to show 906AT that we're behind you guys and we want you to be behind Delta County. All we can really do is put our money into things that we believe in - we can't do the work. We're careful to pick entities that can do the right thing with our support.” Danica looks at Gluski Park and knows that it aligns with her dad's values - she says there couldn't be a better way to remember him. "We love the breath and the greatness of the vision. My dad saw a shipyard where there was an abandoned train depot- he saw something and had a vision. Todd sees something and has a vision. We recognize the similarities and want to support that. I think our hope is that it becomes a destination- and a place of learning, growth and accomplishment for area youth and a place that will serve generations." It is a gift built on the determination of two men from different generations. Daniel, who manifested his destiny through hard work. And Todd Poquette, who is dedicated to ensuring today's kids (and tomorrow's) understand what it takes to become a man like Daniel J. Kobasic.