George James

A local business that provides services to children with autism is expanding into a second location. Autism Systems plans to open a Fort Gratiot location in the next few weeks. 

Autism Systems is a local treatment center that provides Applied Behavior Analysis services to St. Clair County children who are on the autism spectrum. Currently the business operates out of the current  location on Range Road and plans to expand to an office in Fort Gratiot on Keewahdin Road.

According to the Michigan Autism Program, there were over 20,000 public school students in the state who were considered to be on the Autism Spectrum. One in 59 children in the nation falls on the spectrum. Hanna Firchau, of Autism Systems, told us that the idea to have services in St. Clair County came from their Clinical Director, Christina Evanko, who recognized her hometown as needing services. Autism Services works with Community Mental Health and has helped over 40 local families.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

The Port Huron Museum is going to be closed to the public for two weeks, but they’re still asking the community to come in…if you’re willing to help! From January 20th to February 7th, staff and volunteers will be working on a complete inventory of the Museum’s Collection, as well as a new digitized catalog system.

According to Andrew Kercher, Manager of Community Engagement for the Port Huron Museum, over the years, they have “collected tens of thousands of items since opening in 1968, and many items collected by the Library were added years before that. As stewards of a shared cultural heritage, it is [the museum’s] responsibility to keep everything in good order.”

During the three weeks, staff hopes to implement a new item tracking system using printable barcodes, that would allow staff and volunteers to pull up any item’s history and location, making building future exhibits much easier, as well as furthering collecting efforts. 

At the same time the artifacts are being processed, a deep clean of the entire facility and display cases, in addition to modernizing and standardizing exhibit labels, will take place. Kercher said this is all being done so the museum can better share the history of the Blue Water Area with residents and visitors alike.

Kercher also says there will be something for anyone who wishes to help for a few hours or all three weeks. Anyone interested can visit the museum website or call 810.982.0891.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

There is a critical shortage of blood donations in Michigan. While this time of year, donations are typically low due to the holidays and flu season, hospitals are feeling the shortage as some have reported having just a day’s worth of blood on hand. The Red Cross and other agencies that supply blood and platelets to the medical community have put out a plea for help, and designated January as Blood Donor Month.

Eligible donors are encouraged to try to make blood donations a habit to help save lives. Currently, O and O+ blood types are in the highest demand, as those types have universal applications. The Red Cross is also offering an added incentive to donors this month. Donors are automatically entered into a drawing for a trip to the Super Bowl in Miami. There are blood drives planned at McLaren Port Huron, the St. Clair County Administration Building, and other locations over the next month. You can make your appointment at redcrossblood.org.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

In a partnership with 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, the St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans System Navigator from Community Mental Health, the Blue Water Center for Independent Living, and Buddy-to-Buddy, veterans have an opportunity to connect with other veterans and give them a voice in St. Clair County. Military Meet and Greets are held on the third Wednesday of each month from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Center in Port Huron. 

Nancy Deising, Outreach Coordinator for the St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs, said, the gathering gives veterans a chance to connect with local resources while providing a forum to express their needs and concerns to local officials. Deising also said the group is an opportunity for veterans “to share stories and gain comradery with other veterans in the area.”

 The meetings have a light meal and an educational or informational component as well as feedback sessions. Donations from the community are welcome to cover refreshments and space rental for the group. Veterans can get more information from the St. Clair County Department of Veterans Affairs.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.

Representatives from Google will be providing a business education program exclusive to nonprofit organizations through the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Committee this Thursday.

This Google business training will cover G Suites and Google Ad Grants, whose mission is to grow charitable giving and help nonprofits succeed by connecting people to causes: with up to $10,000 per month in free Google advertising, nonprofits can create meaningful ads to educate, attract donors and help people around the world. 

Karen Palka, Executive Director of A Beautiful Me, said the group is “honored to have Google create a specific training for local nonprofits” and believes that, “utilizing this opportunity to create greater exposure for our nonprofits is key to continuing the strength of the Blue Water Region.”

The cost to attend as a nonprofit organization member of the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce is free. The cost for non-members who would like to attend is $100 per person and can be credited toward a Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce. Attendees should bring a laptop or tablet to participate and seating is limited. The event is anticipated to sell-out. Nonprofits are encouraged to sign up at BlueWaterChamber.com.

Reporting for WGRT, Karly Hurley.