Fund Story
Sanford “Sandy” Friedman, gave a lifetime of supporting the community he loves. Serving others was something he instilled in his four children. An architect with training from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, Sandy Friedman practiced his craft in architecture and urban design until becoming a partner in the Wonderland Discount Department Store that first opened in LaPorte in 1961. Under Sandy Friedman, the store grew to a small chain with operations in Michigan City, South Haven, Niles and Dowagiac Michigan. In the thirty plus years Sandy Friedman operated Wonderland Discount Stores, he was active in community activities as a board member on Salvation Army helping design the Army’s new chapel on State Street in LaPorte. He was President of Swanson Community Mental Health Center board in the 1970’s and kept his interests in arts and design very much alive as a President of the John Blank Arts Center in Michigan City. Devoted as he is to our community, this fund is being established to continue impacting the community and county he loves so much.