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Local News

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Day Of Caring Kick-Off

Many of us take for granted being able to do things on our own. Something as simple as changing a light bulb or cutting the grass can be a difficult task for some. The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton will address these needs for its community with its 27th Annual Day of Caring.

The Day of Caring began in 1993 and has since then helped countless community members who are unable to perform tasks on their own such as repair work, cleaning, and gardening to name a few. Volunteers from local companies go out into the community and assist in their areas of expertise. 

There are 15 sponsoring companies this year, with approximately 150 volunteers assisting at 18 job sites. Event Organizer, Pamela Bodkin says “Those assisting seniors or others in need, not only provide their services with repairs and maintenance, but there’s also a social aspect, as some individuals have limited or no social networks.”

For more information contact Pamela Bodkin at (519) 336-5452 ext. 5

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

NACW Port Huron Names Woman Of The Year 

The National Association of Career Women is a nonprofit organization of professional women dedicated to creating a welcoming, supportive, engaging, and empowering environment for women to develop personally and professionally.

This year they have awarded one lucky member Woman of the Year. Bonnie DiNardo, Executive Director of Community and Public Relations at St Clair County Community College has received the honor due to being recognized by her peers as an individual whose conduct exemplifies high standards personally and professionally. 

Dinardo wears many hats in the community, aside from her 33 year tenure at SC4, Dinardo is also a member of the St. Clair Chamber, The Blue Water Chamber, a volunteer for multiple nonprofit organizations, and much more. 

On September 14th, the NACW also named its 2022-2023 board members. 

For more information about NACW visit their website at nacwonline.org

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Port Huron State Game Area Day

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Wildlife Division staff are hosting a tour of the Port Huron State Game Area on Saturday, September 24, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The MDNR field office at 6181 Lapeer Road in Kimball Township will serve as the central meeting location, and MDNR staff will be set-up to interact with attendees.

The primary goals for this event are to:

  • Increase awareness of State Game Areas and make them more accessible to users, including hunters and non-hunters
  • Showcase the Port Huron State Game Area
  • Make MDNR Wildlife Division staff and local partners more accessible
  • Celebrate and showcase MDNR partnerships with the public

The Thumb Land Conservancy (TLC) is encouraged by this well-deserved attention to one of the most significant natural areas in the region. Several TLC members have promoted the Port Huron State Game Area, including Bob Haas who worked for the MDNR Fisheries Division for many years and authored the Black River Assessment. Bob passed away in June.

TLC Member John Fody did much of the field work to produce the 2012 Natural Features Inventory and Management Recommendations for the Port Huron State Game Area.

Tour planning is underway and will include driving and walking. There will be activities for kids at the field office, including a nature loop they can check out. They will have combo kits of blaze orange hats and vests to give out, as well as some other goodies that are still to be determined.

Reporting for WGRT – George James

Gov. Whitmer Announces Additional Food Benefits Assistance In September

With the cost of living going up these days, Some Michiganders are feeling the pinch. From fuel to food, many families are finding it more difficult to manage their budgets in accordance with the rate of inflation. To combat this and help lower the price of groceries, those who receive food assistance benefits will be given an extra $95 in the month of September. 

Governor Whitmer made the announcement concerning additional benefits on Tuesday September 14th. Eligible recipients should receive the additional assistance by September 26th. “This extra $95 monthly payment will lower grocery bills and help households use more of their hard-earned dollars for bills, school supplies, and other essential expenses,” says Whitmer. 

Eligible families do not need to re-apply to receive the additional benefits. The additional assistance will help more than 1.3 million residents in more than 700,000 households.

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

Power Outages On The Rise In Michigan

Have you experienced more power outages this year than you can recall in comparison to previous years? The analysis conducted by nonprofit research group Climate Central, has shown that there’s a reason for that.

From 2000 to 2021 83% of outages were caused by weather related events which may intensify as the climate continues to warm. Kaitlyn Trudeau, data analyst for Climate Central says, “The system we have right now was not built in a time and climate we’re experiencing now.”

The largest number of power outages were reported in Texas, followed by Michigan, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. 

According to Trudeau the climate crisis will continue to cause issues and force grid operators to encourage residents to use less electricity when the supply is unable to meet the demands placed on the system. The solution to the problem would require states to invest in smart grid technologies, as well as improving the current system to withstand more severe weather changes. 

Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell

100 Women Who Care 2022 - Photo: Chamira Studios

Mid City Nutrition Wins $10,000 Grant from Women’s Initiative

The 100 + Women Who Care event, sponsored by the Women’s Initiative of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, gathered over 200 women to support area nonprofits last week. The event granted over $12,000 to three organizations that care for area residents, animals, and the environment.

Attendees of the 100 + Women Who Care event nominate their favorite nonprofit when they purchase their ticket. The evening of the event, three nonprofits are drawn at random and representatives from each get to pitch to the crowd.

After hearing from ladies representing Friends of the St. Clair River, Blue Water Area Humane Society, and Mid City Nutrition, the crowd voted for the most compelling plea. Mid City Nutrition secured first place and received a $10,000 grant for their programs that include providing daily meals for people at their Port Huron location.

100 Women Who Care 2022 – Photo: Chamira Studios

The Blue Water Humane Society came in second place and received a grant for $1,500, and Friends of the St. Clair River was third and given $500.

New this year, the committee gave three $250 grants to organizations chosen by the winner of a purse contest. Those gifts went to Blue Water Area YMCA, Riley Gleason Foundation, and Hunter Hospitality House.

To learn more about the Women’s Initiative of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County, visit https://www.stclairfoundation.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand