Mat-Su College receives pair of $4,000 donations

WASILLA — Mat-Su College received a pair of $4,000 donations recently from the family of longtime Palmer businessman LeRoy Johnson. The money will go to support the 2016 Machetanz Art Festival and a summer science camp program for middle- and high-school students.

Johnson, 93, died in July. He was the founder of Johnson Fuel and active in numerous local causes and civic organizations.

Johnson’s son, Jeff, was on hand to present the donation personally to college director Talis Colberg.

According to Colberg, Jeff Johnson told him his father was an admirer of Fred and Sara Machetanz and was a strong believer in supporting science education for young people.

Colberg said the gifts are much appreciated.

“It is always exciting to see local Valley support for our institution,” Colberg said in a statement.

Colberg said the financial support from a longtime local resident was gratifying.

“Such donations are a wonderful endorsement of the neat things that happen at our college,” he said.