Community Feed: New feed March 28

News announcements from local groups and organizations:

United Way Launches “Viral Fundraising” Effort: To complete its 2009/2010 fundraising campaign, Char-Em United Way has launched a ‘viral fundraising’ effort.

“We are utilizing social networking to encourage the community to join our Give 5 effort and complete our campaign,” said Martha Lancaster, Executive Director.

United Way is encouraging people to take five minutes to:

• Watch the Give 5 video which can be found at www.give5upnorth.org or on YouTube by searching for Char-Em United Way.
• Make a donation of $5 (or more) to CEUW before the campaign deadline at the end of April.
• Forward the message to 5 (or more) friends/family members/co-workers.
• Become a Fan of the Char-Em United Way page and update their status to include the Give 5 message.

“With a little over one month left in Char-Em United Way's annual fundraising campaign, we are still $23,000 short of our goal and earning the Frey Foundation challenge grant. We encourage everyone to help us March to the Finish, by making a donation during the month of March (or April!) and enable us to meet the ever-increasing needs of our community,” explains Lancaster.

Vital agencies such as Manna Food Project, YMCA, Exceptional Riders, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and others all depend on United Way for funding. In addition, donations help fund United Way’s initiatives and projects such as Volunteer Connections, 2-1-1, and Project Connect.

 

“The Give 5 effort is a fun way to engage new donors – for whom a $5 gift is very affordable – in supporting United Way this year,” continued Lancaster. “All donations received by the end of April will be invested in community programs this spring.”

 

Donors can give online at www.charemuniteway.org or by calling 231-487-1006 or by mail to: Char-Em United Way P O Box 1701, Petoskey MI 49770.

Received Friday, March 26: EMERGENCY FOOD AND SHELTER GRANTS AWARDED

Char-Em United Way and the Local Board of the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program recently completed distribution of nearly $71,000 in federal funds to support local food and shelter programs in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. United Way is the local administrator of the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP).

The Local EFSP board met recently to review requests for funds and award grants. Emmet County agencies received a total of $40,781 which will be distributed to the Women's Resource Center, Salvation Army, Manna Food Project, Brother Dan's Food Pantry, and St. Francis Church. In Charlevoix County $29,952 has been awarded to the Women's Resource Center, Salvation Army, Manna Food Project, Good Samaritan Family Services, East Jordan Care and Share, Boyne Valley Food Pantry, and the Seventh Day Adventist Boyne City Community Service Center.

“Unfortunately the funds that were available were slightly less than last year, despite the increased need in our community,” says Martha Lancaster of United Way and Chair of the Local EFSP Board. “The funds to provide emergency shelter and food come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and are distributed to counties based on unemployment rates.”

The awards were made by a Local Board that is chaired by United Way and includes representatives from the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Temple B'Nai Israel, Catholic Human Services, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians, both County Commissions, the Department of Human Services, both Community Foundations, and the Nehemiah Project.

“These funds will be used to expand the capacities of these local agencies to meet emergency needs for food and shelter,” continues Lancaster. “Demand on local pantries and agencies providing rent and utility assistance have increased as much as three-fold over the past year. The EFSP helps meet that need, and United Way is pleased make this possible by administering the program.”

For more information, contact United Way at 487-1006 or info@charemunitedway.org.
 

Received Friday, March 12: Dreaming of being your own boss? This is the desire that drives most Entrepreneurs. You have years of experience and a great idea, should you take a chance on starting your own business? Why not ask two local entrepreneurs that answered “Yes” and took the chance on a business start-up.

Next Tuesday evening, the Entrepreneur Club of Emmet County will be hosted by Christopher Struble and Stan Tylutki, owners of Arlington Jewelers. They will share the journey of combining their 60+ years of experience into a great business. The group will be meeting on-site at Arlington Jewelers, 438 E Lake Street, Downtown Petoskey, on Tuesday, March 16 from 5:30 to 7 pm. As a special treat, they will be providing refreshments to go along with their words of wisdom.

The Entrepreneur Club is open to all prospective, new, or existing businesses in Emmet County and the sessions are free of charge. RSVP’s are appreciated by calling the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce at 347-4150 or the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce at 526-7999.

The Entrepreneur Club is a program of the Petoskey Regional and Harbor Springs Area Chambers of Commerce and is sponsored by Osborne and Associates, Premier Planning Professionals, and Smolinski & Christman P.C.

Received Friday, March 12: SUMMER CAMP SEASON IS COMING SOON!

(Petoskey, MI March 12, 2010) Camp Daggett wants to remind everyone that summer camp season is nearly here! Registration is underway, and families are encouraged to check out Camp Daggett as the most important summer experience for their children.

Every year, over 1,000 children ages 7-14 get the opportunity to spend a week at Camp Daggett. They experience the beauty of the natural environment that the camp provides, make new friends, try new things and have loads of fun. The summer program also develops a feeling of acceptance, respect and courage that campers take home with them. Camping provides a setting in which children can live, learn, and develop skills that are useful throughout their lives. Activities include adventure ropes courses, archery, group sports and games, sailing, swimming, canoeing and fishing, arts and crafts and nature study, hikes, campfires and camp outs.

Camp Daggett offers eight one-week coed camping sessions starting in June 20 and ending August 14. Campers range in age from 7 through 14 years. They are housed in rustic cabins designed for 10 campers and two staff members. The program answers a child’s search for adventure in an environment that is upbeat and wholesome. Appetites are satisfied with nourishing, family style meals served in beautiful Mac Hall, a picturesque log dining room overlooking Walloon Lake.

Camp Daggett offers one-week sessions for $375 for Charlevoix and Emmet County residents. Camp sessions are still available, but filling up fast. Here are the dates of available sessions: June 20-26, June 27-July 3, July 4-10, and August 8-14. There is still a $50 discount for the first week of camp, June 20-26. Scholarships are available to campers who need financial assistance. For more information, call 1-877-582-9742 or 231-347-9742.

Camp Daggett offers four Wilderness Adventure Trips, beginning July 11 for children ages 13-15. Check out the fun:

On the /Canoer Trip/, July 11-17, campers will be exploring the shoreline of Lake Michigan from the Mackinac Bridge along Wilderness State Park for three days and two nights.

If your child is looking for a more challenging wilderness excursion, the /Explorer Trip/, July 18-24, is just right! Destination will be the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along the southern shore of Lake Superior for four days and three nights.

Now here is a camping trip! On the/ Pathfinder/ backpacking expedition, August 1-7, campers will live and learn the basics of wilderness travel and camping while exercising sound, noninvasive, minimum impact techniques. The journey will take campers around the perimeter of South Manitou Island for four days and three nights.

On the/ Kayaker Trip/, August 8-14, campers are off to Wawa, Ontario! In collaboration with Naturally Superior Adventures, they will spend each night (beginning on Tuesday) camping along the northern shore of Lake Superior adjacent to Lake Superior Provincial Park and Pukaskwa National Park before heading out in tandem kayaks to explore the intricacies of the Uplands Coastline, the largest undeveloped stretch of shoreline on Lake Superior.

Join the family of thousands of campers and give your child the meaningful and memorable experience of a lifetime. For more information, or to download an application, visit www.campdaggett.org or call 231-347-9742.

Received Wednesday, March 10: PETOSKEY CHAMBER GROUP, CONNECTING WOMEN IN BUSINESS, TO HOLD WOMENS NETWORKING NIGHT AND MAKEOVER MADNESSUNVEILINGS ON TUESDAY, MARCH 16

Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce group, Connecting Women in Business (CWIB), is hosting a networking night for women on Tuesday, March 16 from 5-7 p.m. at Ozone, Odawa Casino Resort. The networking night will also feature “makeover madness” unveiling for seven lucky area women.

The makeover winners include: Andie Schovey, Northwestern Bank; Suzanne Sipe, Odawa Casino Resort; Kate Scollin, Preston Feather; Arlene McKinney, Harbor Brenn; Angie Craig, Northwestern Bank; Ashley Whitney , Harbor Brenn and Marcie Wolf, AlphaGeek Web Design. They will receive an afternoon of pampering and hair color, hair cut and makeup makeover. Salons who have generously donated the makeovers include: La Dolce Vita, Tracy Lee Salon, Trillium a Complete Salon and the Spa at the Inn at Bay Harbor .

The unveiling of the makeovers will begin at 5:30 p.m. and for maximum effect, will feature the “before” pictures broadcast on all the televisions in Ozone, and then the makeover winners will be introduced and showcase their “after” results.

“Our last two years of Makeover Madness generated amazing transformations and we are expecting wonderful results again this year,” said Lisa Hoyt , Membership Director of the Chamber. “This is a fun, feel good event. Last year we had over 100 attendees. The event is open to the public so bring your friends, family and coworkers to it.” She continued “You can see the results from the 2008 and 2009 makeovers at http://chamber.petoskey.com/cwib-161/.”

Helping to emcee the event will be Vic McCarty and Mel Majoros or WMKT 1270, The Talk Station. The event takes place from 5-7 p.m. and is open to the public. Pre-registrations are required, please call the chamber 347-4150 to reserve your spot by 5 p.m. Friday, March 13.

The cost is $20 per person and includes heavy appetizers and a ticket for a glass of wine or beer. The appetizer menu is planned to include: Southern Style Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce; Spring Rolls with Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce; Fresh Mozzarella & Roasted Tomato Bruschetta; Assortment of Domestic Cheeses with a Selection of Smoked Sausages and Salami Served with Sliced French Bread and Whole Grain Mustards and Assorted Mini Sandwiches.

Makeover chances were sold by CWIB, as a fundraiser for their GO-Grants program, which was launched in Feb. 2010. The GO Grants, or Girls Outreach Grants, will reach out to young girls in our area who have an idea and passion to try something new. Full details can be obtained from the chamber. Grants will range from $100 to $500, and can be used as resources in any field of endeavor. The Go Grant Application and background info rmation is available on the Chambers website at http://chamber.petoskey.com/cwib-161/ or at the Chamber office.

CWIB is a 120 member strong, niche networking group of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce. Events provide opportunities for area women business leaders and business owners to learn, form connections, share ideas and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth. To learn more, please call the Petoskey Chamber of Commerce at (231) 347-4150 or visit www.petoskey.com and see the Programs & Committees area.

Received Wednesday, March 3: Char-Em United Way announces that it has reached 90% of its 2009-2010 Campaign goal, with two months left to go in the campaign.

“We are optimistic that we will reach our $333,000 goal,” says Joanne Curtis, United Way Board member and Campaign Co-Chair. “Despite – or perhaps because of the recession – we have had a very good response to our campaign this year. It appears that those who donate this year want to help the basic health and human service programs such as those United Way supports. We hope that a final push for donations will take us to the top.”

The Frey Foundation has offered an additional $20,000 challenge grant to United Way if it meets the campaign goal.

“We are very motivated by the Frey Challenge,” says Dale Hull Campaign Co-Chair. “If the drive falls even $1 short, we will receive only $15,000. With the human service needs so great in our community right now, we hope to be able to reinvest the maximum amount back into the services people need.”

“With the economic situation, the number of requests from local agencies and the amount of funds requested is greater than ever,” continues Hull. “We hope that we will be able to invest at least as much as we did last back into the community, but that will only happen if we raise additional funds. I encourage everyone who has not donated to the Campaign to make a donation now, before the end of April. A gift at any level will, when combined with those of others, help us to improve the lives of people in our community.”

Char-Em United Way’s funding priorities for the year are: Fulfilling Urgent and Basic Human Needs; Improving Financial Stability; Promoting Individual and Family Health and Wellness; Increasing Independence and Self Sufficiency; and Helping Youth Succeed. Agencies applying for United Way support must demonstrate specific program outcomes. Funds raised through the end of April will be invested this spring.

The United Way campaign raises funds to meet the needs of residents of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. Last year, Char-Em United Way invested over $205,000 in effective health and human service programs reaching local residents. In addition, United Way is involved in many other initiatives – Volunteer Connections, Day of Caring, Stuff the Bus, Project Connect, 2-1-1, Friends Enhancing Emmet Transit and more.

Tax-deductible contributions to the United Way 2009-2010 Campaign can be mailed to P O Box 1701, Petoskey MI 49770. Gifts can be made online by going to: www.charemunitedway.org and selecting “Give.” For more information about United Way call 487-1006 or email: info@charemunitedway.org

Received Wednesday, Feb. 17: Classes Offered at the American Red Cross for the month of March 2010

Community CPR and First Aid Skills: Participants will learn how to perform life saving CPR skills for Infants, Children, and Adults. First Aid skills will cover the care to provide for a variety of illnesses and injuries until professional help arrives. Class will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, March 25, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CPR Skills for Adults, Children and Infants: Participants will learn how to perform life saving CPR skills for Infants, Children, and Adults.
Class will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

First Aid Skills: Lay responders will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to give care in an emergency situation, help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until medical help arrives.
Class will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Blood-borne Pathogens: Preventing Disease Transmission: The class will provide individuals with an understanding of the blood-borne pathogens regulations issued by OSHA, how blood-borne pathogens are spread and how to help prevent exposure incidents by following work practice controls.
Classes are offered on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Recertification Class for the Professional Rescuer and Health Care Provider: The class is intended for first responders or people established in the medical field who have completed the basic course once before. Certification is for 2 years.
Classes are scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesday, March 17, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Recertification for Lay Responder First Aid/CPR/AED: The class is intended for Lay Responders who have had training within the last two years and need to be recertified. The class is scheduled on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The class takes approximately 2 hours and maybe scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

CPR Made Simple: CPR Made Simple is a course designed for individuals who want to learn CPR/AED but do not need or desire certification. Classes can be arranged for groups, businesses, church groups and school classes. The course introduces individuals to Adult CPR/AED and focuses on hands-on practice of Adult CPR/AED skills. There is no charge for the class, but pre-registration is required. The class is scheduled for Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. To have a class arranged for a private group of people, contact Tom Ritchie at (231) 348-7666 or email at tomr@arcnlm.org.

CPR/AED/First Aid: Anyone who would like to be trained in CPR/First Aid skills that doesn’t require certification may attend a class without charge if there is room for the participant.

Babysitters Training: The class is intended for young people between the ages of 11 and 15 years of age. Participants learn how to babysit, find jobs safely, supervise children, identify dangerous situations in the home for children, and handling emergency medical needs of the children they care for. The class is schedule in Elk Rapids on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Babysitters Training Instructor Course: Participants will be certified to teach the Basic Babysitters Training course for youth 11 to 15 years of age. Participants who choose to add CPR and First Aid skills to the instruction must be certified as a Lay Responder First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor as well. The class is scheduled over 3 days with one self-study included for people who have not completed a F.I.T. class. The dates of the training are as follows:

• Monday – March 8, 2010 – 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Session 1 of 3 sessions
• Monday – March 15, 2010 – 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Session 2 of 3 sessions
• Monday – March 22, 2010 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Session 3 of 3 sessions

All the Health and Safety classes described above are conducted at the American Red Cross building located at 2350 Mitchell Park Drive. Pre-registration is required prior to the date of the class and may be completed by telephoning (231) 348-7666 or email to tomr@arcnlm.org.
 

Received Wednesday, Feb. 17: United Way “Check-off” Aids Local Communities

There is a new way to help those in needs in our community this year.

While you fill out your 2009 Michigan tax return forms, don’t forget to “check off” for the United Way Fund. This year, Michigan residents will be able to use their tax returns to easily donate to the United Way Fund, which was created to help low to moderate income Michigan families with basic needs like food, clothing and shelter.

“The United Way Fund is a new check-off option for Michigan tax-payers this year,” explains Martha Lancaster, Executive Director of Char-Em United Way. “Although there are many other great options, the United Way Fund is an easy way to impact a wide range of community needs with one donation. All of the check-offs from tax-payers in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties will be returned to Char-Em United Way and used to support basic human services in our community.”

Tax-payers can indicate if they would like to donate all or part of their Michigan tax returns on Form 4642 of their state income tax return. The funds donated will be returned to the tax-payer’s local United Way, based on the zip code of their filing address.

“The funds are earmarked to directly benefit needy families in our community,” continues Lancaster. “The need in Northern Michigan has never been greater and making a donation to help ease the burden so many are facing has never been easier! This year, be sure to “check off” for the United Way Fund.”

For more information, contact Char-Em United Way at 231-487-1006 or by email at: info@charmeunitedway.org.
 

 

Received Friday, Feb. 12:Introduction to Hospitality Industry Training

Hospitality RSA Providing Training through Northwestern Michigan College and North Central Michigan College

Northwest MI – Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and North Central Michigan College (NCMC) are working with the Hospitality Regional Skills Alliance (RSA) of Northwest Michigan, a program of Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, to provide training for individuals interested in the hospitality industry.

NCMC will provide training beginning March 1, 2010 at The Inn of Bay Harbor in Petoskey. This training will run for two weeks. Another training opportunity, provided by NMC, begins March 8, 2010 and runs for three weeks at the NMC University Center in Traverse City. Both trainings will provide an introduction to a career in hospitality and hands-on instruction by industry leaders. Participants will hear guest speakers and will participate in role-play, field trips, and job shadowing.

The cost of the training is subsidized by a grant form the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. Those interested in the training should call Northwest Michigan Works! toll-free: (800) 442-1074 and ask to speak to a career advisor. “With the hiring season just around the corner, we feel this training will give participants an upper hand in finding a job in hospitality,” stated Annie Shetler, Hospitality RSA coordinator. “The two trainings will also help area employers by providing a better qualified workforce.”

The curriculum will cover customer service and teamwork; proper dress and hygiene; positive work attitudes and responsible work habits; time management and stress management; phone usage; diversity training; how to run a cash register and how to make change; communication skills; and more.

The Hospitality RSA fosters partnerships and collaboration between employers, educational providers and the workforce development community to address the training, employment and other human resource interests of the hospitality industry in Northwest Michigan. As a Michigan Regional Skills Alliance, it is supported in part by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.

 

Received Thursday, Feb. 11: PETOSKEY CHAMBER’S CONNECTING WOMEN IN BUSINESS GROUP LAUNCHES GRANTS PROGRAM FOR GIRLS
Connecting Women in Business (CWIB), a niche group of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, is proud to announce the launch of its GO Grants for Girls in February 2010.

GO Grants, or Girls Outreach Grants, will reach out to young girls in our area who have an idea and passion to try something new. Grants will range from $100 to $500, and can be used as resources in any field of endeavor.
Lisa Hoyt, Membership Director of the Chamber explained “The monies were raised from our two Makeover events in 2008 and 2009 and also through a fundraising event last November that was especially successful.” “The CWIB group is very excited to be able to reach out to the young women in our community and help them attain personal skills and experience for future success.”

“The purpose of the grants is to provide small grants to girls in grades 6 to 10 in the Char-Em ISD service area of Charlevoix, Emmet and northern Antrim counties,” said Kathy Bardins, Chair of the CWIB group. She continued “these grants will allow the applicant to pursue a special interest gain or improve a skill, participate in an outdoor experience and more. CWIB encourages applications that will be challenging to the applicant.”
Girls will be required to work with an adult mentor – a relative outside of the immediate family, teacher, youth pastor, social worker, etc. – who will help them fill out and submit the application, and will work with the girl to help her achieve her dream. The mentor will also work with each girl to submit her final report on her completed activity and what it meant to her.

The ideal applicants are girls who have not received awards for outstanding achievements. CWIB is seeking girls who do not ordinarily apply for awards, but instead under-represented girls who need more support to realize their potential. Girls need to clearly state their financial need, as well as describe a special interest that will spark their imagination, creativity, or follow a dream that they may not imagine possible.

The Go Grant Application and background information is available on the Chambers website at http://chamber.petoskey.com/cwib-161/ or at the Chamber office. Applications must be postmarked is April 1, 2010.

For more information, contact Kathy Bardins at 231-487-1188, kbardins@winternet.com, or Lisa Hoyt at 231-347-4150, lisa@petoskey.com.

Formed in 2007, Connecting Women in Business provides opportunities for area women business leaders and business owners to learn, form connections, share ideas, and find personal and professional growth. The key purposes of CWIB include:
• Provide professional development and leadership training;
• Strengthen and market area businesses;
• Offer networking toward strategic alliances, affiliations and business opportunities;
• Mentoring and support; and
• Provide opportunities for girls to dream big, thereby improving self-esteem and leadership.
 

 

Received Thursday, Feb. 4: Volunteer Stream Monitoring Winter Potluck – Saturday, February 27

PETOSKEY, MI – On Saturday, February 27th from 9:00am – 3:00pm you will have an opportunity to explore the amazing aquatic ecosystem of a Northern Michigan river during the wintertime. Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council will supply all the tools you will need to collect and examine aquatic insects, snails, crustaceans and other small invertebrates, which are used as bio-indicators to gauge the health of a river. If you have waders, bring them along. This is a perfect event for friends and families to learn more about the river and what you can do to protect and serve our precious water resources. After exploring the river the group will return to the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council office for a potluck and socializing.

This event is free and the public is welcome to attend. Limited space is available so please RSVP by contacting Kevin Cronk at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council at 231-347-1181 or by e-mail at kevin@watershedcouncil.org. Information about upcoming events hosted by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council can also be found on our website at www.watershedcouncil.org/events.

 

 

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