local news

SC4 Announces STEM and Athletic Summer Camps

Summer Camps are back at St. Clair County Community College. There is a wide selection of athletic camps along with a STEM-based camp.

The Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp is for students in 5th through 8th grade. There are two sessions in July, each with limited capacity. The cost is $300. Galaxy Quest STEM Summer Camp will use hands-on science in the new Challenger Learning Center.

Referring to the STEM Camp, Dr. Deborah A. Snyder, president of SC4 said, “Participants in this camp will be among the first to experience our Challenger Learning Center, which officially opens this spring.”

The athletic camps include baseball, basketball, cross country, esports, soccer, softball, volleyball, and wrestling. Costs range from $80-$150 per athlete.

SC4 Athletic Director Dale Vos said, “These camps provide a wonderful opportunity to learn from collegiate coaches, athletes and experts. We expect these camps to fill fast and look forward to welcoming youths to camp this summer.”

For more information and to register for SC4 athletic camps, visit sc4.edu/camps, email athletics@sc4.edu or call 810-989-5662.

A link to more information can be found at WGRT.com.

Hope Blooms From Home Fundraiser to Benefit Hunter Hospitality House

Hunter Hospitality House will be holding its spring fundraiser, Hope Blooms, virtually this year. The Port Huron non-profit is offering an interesting mix of items that are being raffled off.

Hunter Hospitality House provides free lodging to anyone who needs to stay close to either of Port Huron’s hospitals. They have two bed and breakfast style homes and one family home.

Executive Director Tracy Willard said, “We’re really grateful for how the community always comes through for us with this important fundraiser. Once again, three Woman’s Life Chapters are providing matching funds up to $500 for donations and purchases of raffle tickets.”

Raffle items include a large screen tv, a Shinola watch, and many others. There are also sponsorship opportunities. The prizes will be drawn on April 28th, but tickets are on sale now.

Willard said, “Individuals and businesses donated really wonderful prizes, and we’re already hearing from sponsors. Supporting HHH through Hope Blooms ensures guests will receive free hospital lodging and abundant amenities.”

For more information, go to hunterhospitalityhouse.com.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Port Huron Museums Looking for Artists for Upcoming Exhibit

Did pandemic life spark your creativity and inspire some artwork? The Carnegie Museum in Downtown Port Huron is looking for artists who want to display their work and perhaps make some money from the sale of their work. The exhibit is called “Perspectives: Art Out of the Pandemic”.

The exhibit opens on April 23rd but now is the time for artists to start submitting their work. The exhibit is open to local artists who work in all forms of media. Painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, and other mediums are all part of the exhibit. While the exhibit name references the pandemic, the art does not need to be about COVID-19, but it should have been created during the pandemic.

Artists who wish to offer their art for sale are able to do so, with the Museum taking a small commission. The exhibit will be held on the Mezzanine through July 22nd.  

Artists have until April 1st to register up to five pieces. Port Huron Museums will decide what pieces they will display. A link to the registration form can be found below.

phmuseum.org/art

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Big Reds Believe Charity Basketball Game March 11th

Port Huron High School will be hosting their annual Big Reds Believe basketball game on March 11th at 6:00 p.m. in the Port Huron High School Gym. The game pits senior basketball players against staff to raise money for charity. This year’s game will raise money for one of their own: 11th grader, Andrew Kolinski.

Sydney Grewe, a teacher and Student Council advisor, said, “After taking a break due to COVID we are back and are supporting junior Andrew Kolinski. Andrew was diagnosed with cancer over the summer and underwent surgery to remove the cancer, and at the moment he is cancer-free! All of the funds raised will be donated to Andrew’s family to help with his medical expenses.”

The money is raised with donations at the entrance to the event, t-shirt sales, a 50/50 raffle, a bake sale, a concession stand, and a silent auction.

Can’t make it to the game? Order a t-shirt today to support this community effort. T-shirts cost $20 and need to be ordered by March 3rd.

https://phhswebelieve.itemorder.com/shop/sale/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

OT Announces “Seek God for the City 2022”

Operation Transformation is kicking off their seasonal “Seek God for the City 2022” community Lenten prayer initiative.

The season of Lent starts on Wednesday, March 2nd, with Ash Wednesday. Those who practice the traditional preparation for the Easter celebration have a variety of customs and routines, but prayer is the foundation of the season.

Members of Blue Water Area Churches, a collaboration of multiple denominations in the area, are hosting the 40-day event. Over fifteen churches have chosen evenings to host the one-hour meetings. The content of the community-wide prayer initiative is provided by WayMakers.

The first meeting is Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at St. Clair First United Methodist Church, 415 N 3rd Street in St. Clair. Each night’s meeting will focus on a different member of the community, like teachers, families, health care workers, and others. There will be scripture readings along with the prayer.

To get the full schedule of nightly meetings and to access the prayer materials, go to bwchurches.org or Operation Transformation’s Facebook page.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Red Cross Desperate for Blood Donations

The American Red Cross is sounding the alarm regarding a nationwide blood shortage. They are reporting the worst blood shortage in over a decade.

According to the Red Cross, the shortage is at the point where doctors have to decide who gets transfusions and who has to wait.

There are several reasons for the shortage. High school and college blood drives have been suspended due to the pandemic, eliminating a significant source of donors.

Blood drives have been canceled all over due to illness, weather, and staffing shortages. Fluctuating levels of both COVID-19 infections and seasonal flu have had an impact on blood drives as well.

The Red Cross provides 40% of the nation’s blood supply and has had to limit distribution to hospitals due to low supply. There has been a less than a one-day supply of critical blood types in recent weeks.

Type O positive and negative are the most needed blood types. Platelets are also needed, mostly for cancer patients. With a short five-day shelf life, platelets are in short supply as well.

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=48060

https://www.redcrossblood.org/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland