George James

Mahogany Kayak Being Raffled by St. Mary/McCormick School

Port Huron, MI — Imagine floating down the Black River in a custom-built mahogany kayak. Plastic kayaks do the job, but there is something about a wooden kayak that makes one feel more connected to nature.

The Parent-Teacher Organization at St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy in Port Huron hopes that the desire to get a little closer to our natural waterways will prompt ticket sales with their Mahogany Kayak Raffle. The Port Huron school normally has a large “Fall Harvest” auction fundraiser in November, but this is not a normal year.

In lieu of a large gathering, the organizers thought the Kayak Raffle would be a good way to continue the fall fundraising tradition. St. Mary PTO President, Emily Herbert said, “This is an opportunity for people to support a local organization while having the chance to win a truly unique and one-of-a-kind piece of maritime artwork that is functional and visually stunning. “

The kayak is built by a local wooden boat restorer who is heading up The Mill Room, a new cooperative community wood-working space in downtown Port Huron. The kayak is valued at $3000. Tickets cost $100 each.

Tickets can be purchased at stmarysraffle.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Salvation Army Seeking Christmas Donations

Port Huron, MI — Red Kettles and bell-ringing are a sign of the holiday season. With less people out and about this year, the Salvation Army is finding other ways to make sure all of the families in need in the area get help. Tags on “Angel Trees” are available for community members to take and to then purchase food and gifts for either individual children or entire families.

Major Susan Dalberg, Corps Officer at the Citadel said, “We already know that the toughest ages to get donations for are 9-12. Those ages represent the largest children groups this year. Lego kits, craft kits, toiletry gift sets, beauty gift sets and gift cards to fast food restaurants, movie theatres and large superstores like Target and Walmart are great gifts for this age group.”

The tags are located at Birchwood Mall near Target. Walmart also has a tree, in addition to an online Angel Tree that can be found at salvationarmyusa.org. Donations of toys can be dropped off at the Salvation Army in Port Huron.

Salvation Army Major Wes Dalberg added, “Every donation helps, from coins in the red kettle to cans of food. Every act of giving is love in action.”

https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/walmart-angel-tree/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Local Restaurants Move Back to Carry-Out and Need Community Support

Port Huron, MI — Restaurants once again have to innovate to stay in business and serve their customers, in the wake of the “paused” indoor dining for three weeks throughout Michigan.

The responsibility of keeping their staff employed when there are no indoor diners weighs heavily on restaurant owners. For Martina’s Grill in Downtown Port Huron, they are trying to make the best of a major challenge to their business.

Only open since March, Martina’s Grill navigated the pandemic effects by offering outdoor seating, plexiglass dividers, and now, family meals for carry-out, including a full Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings.

Manager Christina Ward said she is attempting to keep everyone working as much as possible. She said that people are already ordering the dinners, with some people ordering dinners to deliver to the friends and family that they can’t visit this year. Ward said, “Everyone is looking at Thanksgiving differently”, and Martina’s is trying to make the best of it.

Adapting to carry-out service is the only way for restaurants to keep their staff employed right now, and it is not easy. Ordering take-out from local restaurants, and maybe considering giving dinners as “gifts” to loved ones is a great step toward keeping our friends and neighbors employed during this “pause” in indoor dining.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Progress Being Made on Third Hunter Hospitality House

Port Huron, MI — We reported just a couple of months ago that there was going to be another Hunter Hospitality House. Since then the new Family House has undergone major renovation and brought the community together to work on the project.

Executive Director, Tracy Willard, said that they are getting through a long list of household repairs and renovations to their third property. She said, “The community has been overwhelmingly generous in helping us provide a safe, beautiful and much-needed private respite for people needing to stay near a hospital in Port Huron while also caring for children. “

Hunter Hospitality House has two houses near each of Port Huron’s Hospitals where free lodging is provided to those with loved ones getting medical treatment or who are getting treatment themselves. The third house will provide accommodations for families.

While a lot of work has already been done, there is much more to do. The new house is expected to open on December 7, 2021, on what is the 10th anniversary of the opening of the first Hunter Hospitality House, and the 30th birthday of the late Hunter Willard, after whom the non-profit is named. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

United Way Honors First Responders with T-Shirt Sale

The United Way of St. Clair County is selling T-shirts to honor First Responders. The Government Division of the local United Way selected this fundraiser as a way to honor men and women on the frontlines, as they always go beyond the call of duty for the citizens in the community.

Sponsorship from UHY, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, and the law firm of Fletcher, Fealko, Shoudy and Francis, PC make it possible for 100% of the proceeds to go to the United Way’s fundraising campaign. The United Way has a long history of serving those in the most need in the community.

The shirts cost $20 for sizes Small through Extra-Large and $25 for sizes 2 XL and 3 XL. The shirts are only available for a limited time. They will be delivered before Christmas, and would make a nice gift that also gives back to the community. The deadline for ordering the shirts honoring First Responders is November 20th.

To order, contact Lydia Kern at 810-989-6900 or email lkern@stclaircounty.org. 

A link to the order form: https://www.uwstclair.org/sites/uwstclair.org/files/SCC_FirstRespondersShirtSale .pdf 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Suburban Bolt

Suburban Bolt and Supply Wins Accolades for Being a Top Workplace

Port Huron, MI — Suburban Bolt and Supply Company, which has a branch in Port Huron, has been awarded a Top Workplaces honor in the Detroit market. The designation is based on feedback from employees.

Suburban Bolt and Supply is family-owned and veteran-owned, that specializes in supplying fasteners, cutting tools, abrasives, shop and safety supplies, and other products. 

Jerilynn Pintar, Vice President and Owner of Suburban Bolt & Supply, said, “2020 brought many challenges to all of us in this world.  With so much uncertainty at times, the culture and atmosphere at Suburban Bolt and Supply was a welcome distraction from the outside world.” She went on to credit her loyal and dedicated employees for the success of the company and said that they have a fun and friendly workplace.

Suburban Bolt & Supply was also recognized as a Top Workplace in 2018. Building a company culture that makes employees want to stay is a strong value with the company. Pintar said, “The friendly atmosphere at Suburban Bolt and Supply is certainly one of the reasons it’s a Top Workplace and why a large percentage of our employees have been with us for more than 20 years. We take a lot of pride in that.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland