Day of Caring Will be Smaller Event This Year

Sarnia, Ontario — United Way of Sarnia-Lambton has cancelled the 26th annual Day of Caring, which was to take place on September 15, 2020. 

“Despite our hope that we could hold our traditional Day of Caring, we recognize that the safety of our community is the number one priority,” said Pamela Bodkin, Community Investment and Finance Director. “To bring together upwards of 250 volunteers for the annual campaign kickoff would not be in the best interest of the volunteers and the recipients including seniors, and those with disabilities. We would like to express our tremendous appreciation to the many sponsors, participants, and Day of Caring partners and we look forward to seeing everyone when the event returns in 2021.” 

United Way of Sarnia-Lambton will move forward, when the timing is appropriate, with a smaller version of Day of Caring. Individual projects would require minimal volunteers on multiple days, keeping safety the top priority. “We plan to revert to our traditional larger campaign kick-off next year, said Bodkin. “We look forward to having our volunteers and sponsors back with us to help those most in need in Sarnia-Lambton.” 

Since 1993, United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Day of Caring has completed projects ranging from painting, cleaning, gardening, and yard work to building wheelchair ramps, decks, storage sheds or minor plumbing installations. Each year, applications are reviewed, jobs are assessed and individuals having work done have completed a means test. 

The Habitat for Humanity Handyman/Handywoman program, funded with a United Way Venture grant, continues to provide services. If anyone is in immediate need, they can contact Habitat for Humanity in Sarnia, www.habitatsarnia.org. The Lambton Elderly Outreach Home Maintenance program can be accessed at www.lambtonelderlyoutreach.org. 

PPP Loan Forgiveness Window Opens

Port Huron, MI — As the time for businesses to use SBA payroll protection funds begins to expire, financial institutions are preparing to process millions of applications for loan forgiveness. Companies that received funds in early April can start to submit forgiveness applications at the end of May.

Lenders will be called on to help prepare detailed application documents and turn them over to the Small Business Administration for approval. Banks made about 4.3 million Paycheck Protection Program or PPP loans for a total of more than $500 billion. The program allows every borrower to request forgiveness.

The SBA released an 11-page document last week listing the criteria small businesses must follow to get their PPP loans forgiven. Among the guidelines are directions on how to calculate payroll costs, which must account for 75% of loan proceeds spent. The document is complex, so it will fall to lenders to help borrowers complete it.

Over the two rounds of the PPP, which began in April, Michigan companies received 103,811 total PPP loans totaling $15.9 billion in funding.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Social Isolation Connected to Increase in Health Problems

Port Huron, MI  –Social isolation is a word everyone is familiar with these days. Staying away from others during this pandemic is promoted as a key to keeping us safe, but a new study finds that prolonged social isolation is also quite dangerous.

The study was conducted by Dr. Janine Gronewold and Professor Dirk M. Hermann from the University Hospital in Essen, Germany, and they analyzed data on 4,316 people who had been recruited for research.

The study found that socially isolated people are over 40% more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or other major cardiovascular events. Moreover, the socially isolated are nearly 50% more likely to die from any cause.

Similar studies have found that social isolation is associated with an increased risk in health conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated stress hormones, and weakened immune systems.  According to a study co-authored by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, lack of social connection heightens health risks as much as smoking, alcohol use disorder, and obesity.

Reporting for WGRT – Marty Doorn

Memorial Day Moment of Silence at Noon

Port Huron, MI — Memorial Day is an opportunity for Americans to pay respect to the members of our military who lost their lives in service to our country. Even though we can’t gather in large groups or pay tribute with our traditional parades and ceremonies this year, we can all take a moment to stop and reflect on what Memorial Day means to us and our country.

At WGRT, we have two military moms on staff, so it’s natural for us to recognize the significance of this holiday for many families. The act of enlisting in the military, leaving ones family to serve our country, and the discipline required for training and deployments demand a great deal of sacrifice from service members and their families. The uncertainty of military life and the weight of responsibility borne by our service members is tremendous, and the reality that some will give their lives in service is sobering.

This Memorial Day, the staff at WGRT joins in our local moment of remembrance for military members that have fallen in service to our country. We will observe a moment of silence on our station at 12 noon today, and we ask you to join us in reflecting, honoring, and appreciating what those brave men and women sacrificed for our freedom.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Black River Canal Gate – Low Clearance

Port Huron, MI — The Black River Canal Tainter Gate is fully raised. However, due to historic high water levels, clearance from the water to the gate is only around 4ft.

Many boats and watercraft that usually could clear the gate will not be able to this season. As canal users approach the gate they should do so with caution.

Please also provide watercraft in front of you plenty of space to maneuver. Enjoy the weekend!

Submitted by James Freed, Port Huron City Manager