fundraiser

Port Huron School Raises Nearly $2200 for Hunter Hospitality House

St. Mary/McCormick Catholic Academy in Port Huron has raised nearly $2200 for Hunter Hospitality House with their annual Penny Wars. That’s a lot of pennies. The friendly competition between grades was an outreach activity during the annual Catholic Schools Week celebration. 

Students in preschool through eighth grade brought in both paper money and coins and could either build up their own class’ collection jars or put coins in other class’ jars to subtract from their class totals. 

St. Mary/McCormick Principal Mike Gibson said, “The participation this year was incredible.  The previous high for our Penny War competition was $671.00.  This year we raised $2,183.12, which is more than the previous three years combined!  It is just more proof that our school/parish community is absolutely amazing.”

Hunter Hospitality House provides lodging near both Port Huron hospitals. Executive Director Tracy Willard said, “I am grateful beyond words for this very generous, amazing gift. It’s just incredible, and will be used right away in providing our free services at HHH.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Women’s Initiative Hits $1 Million Mark

The Community Foundation of St. Clair County’s Women’s Initiative Endowment Fund has recently hit a major milestone. They now have a fund balance of over $1 million. 

The fund has over 300 contributing members who have grown the fund ten-fold over the last 19 years. The fund focuses on removing educational barriers for students. The Women’s Initiative partners with the St. Clair County RESA Great Start Collaborative to make sure every child can get a quality preschool education, no matter their family’s income level. The impact of a quality year of preschool can set the stage for successful school years and a life of learning. 

The Women’s Initiative hosts a yearly event, “100 Women Who Care”, which went virtual last fall. It will be held this fall, either virtual or in-person, depending on the ability to gather in large groups. The last live event had around 300 women in attendance. Small group socials are also on the agenda, once they are able to be held. 

The mission of the Initiative remains focused on large impact tuition assistance grants, according to Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation. Grant applications can be found on the Community Foundation website. 

https://www.stclairfoundation.org/grants/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home Kicks Off Friendraising Campaign

Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home is a nonprofit assisted living facility in Port Huron that cares for low income seniors. Their mission includes providing an affordable, comfortable, and safe home while also providing activities that improve their resident’s quality of life.

The home is managed by Blue Water Developmental Housing, Inc, and it’s Executive Director, Kathy Swantek, is encouraging the community to support this year’s Friendraising Campaign.

This year’s fundraising event will take place virtually and support the efforts of Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home to reserve space for residents who are unable to pay for services. They work with community partners to identify those in need, and provide them with housing and medical care.

“Donations from fundraisers like this one help us help those who are most vulnerable in our community. Your dollars make a direct impact on the care they receive,” said Swantek.

The campaign goal is to raise $10,000, and donations can be made online by visiting their event page on Eventbrite <HERE> from now until March 31, 2021.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

Sherman Woods Hosts Red Kettle for Salvation Army

The Salvation Army got some help from the Sherman Woods Neighborhood Association for the 5th year in a row this December. The lakeside neighborhood in Port Huron’s North End is known as a destination for viewing Christmas lights, and also for philanthropy.

Taking advantage of the consistent traffic during the holiday season, the neighborhood volunteered to host a Salvation Army Red Kettle to collect donations for the local charity. The response this year was “phenomenal”, according to Fred Kemp of the neighborhood association.

Kemp said that people showed up with donations prepared ahead of time and were as generous this year as in previous years. He said it was heartwarming to see not only the response from the visitors to the neighborhood but also from the residents of Sherman Woods. Kemp said that he continues to be amazed by everyone’s generosity.

The whole neighborhood participates in the over-the-top winter wonderland, with homemade light balls hanging from the trees giving a magical glow to the whole area. Kemp said that neighbors work together to make it happen, with all the lights being handmade, with no commercial help.

While you can still take a drive through Sherman Woods to see the lights, you will need to go to salvationarmy.org if you want to donate to the Salvation Army’s year-round efforts.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Harbor Impact Volunteers Prepare for “Impact Sessions” This Week

The volunteers at Harbor Impact Ministries have been working hard to get ready for Impact Days this week. Like everyone else, they have had to make some modifications to maintain social distancing and keep both their volunteers and their clients safe.

Harbor Impact is a non-profit located at Blue Water Free Methodist Church in the former Sparlingville Elementary School in Kimball Township. The charity collects and distributes donated items to help community members in need. They provide other services as well, such as health care support, tutoring and literacy training, and spiritual counseling.

Impact Days are special days when qualified clients can come in and pick out the things they need to get through the month. There are actually “Impact Sessions” during this time, with organization of clients in alphabetical order. This month’s impact days are December 15th and 16th. Full details, including both how to donate items and how to sign up for services, can be found at harborimpactministries.com. Donating is currently by appointment only. Bussing to Harbor Impact is available through Blue Water Area Transit on Wednesday Impact Days.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Nam Knights Donate $2000 to Sheriff’s Dive Team

A local motorcycle club that is dedicated to honoring military and law enforcement has donated $2000 to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team. 

The Wolverine Chapter of the Nam Knights Motorcycle Club raised the money at a poker run that took place last October. The club’s President, Tony Caron, along with several members, delivered the check to the Sheriff’s Office on Saturday. 

Sheriff Mat King said, “I am thankful the Nam Knights made the decision that our Dive Team would be the recipient of proceeds from the poker run. This generous donation will be used to help continue the team’s function of rescue, recovery and education on the waterways of St. Clair County.”

The motorcycle club chapter, founded in 2016, has members from throughout Southeast Michigan and mainly raises funds for veterans, first responders, and their families. The national organization was started by VietNam combat veterans who ride Harleys and have a heart for philanthropy. 

According to their Facebook page, the Wolverine Chapter of the Nam Knights has sent packages to service members stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, donated to Michigan Fallen Heroes Memorial, along with other charities. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland