09/20/2018
So just an update.....
Since the inception of our Community Partnership Program earlier this year, we have collected a TON of donations. The school supply drive was huge, in addition we helped with hundreds of dollars worth of school supplies and clothes through monetary donations from generous supporters from our community, we purchased 50 bike helmets for all graduating 5th graders at a local elementary school who were all given a new bike (by another anonymous doner!), we paid for some students physical exams so they could compete in school sports, we have provided music equipment for some children whose parents couldn't afford some of the band equipment, tires for a mom who couldn't get her child to school, we have provided a HUGE amount of snack food for students who don't have access to mid day fuel before/after lunch, we have gotten glasses for a student who couldn't see the board, a washer and dryer for a family who had no way to clean their children's clothes, and multiple beds for children who were sleeping on old stained mattresses or couches. We even had a storage unit owner donate a huge unit to house donations until they are needed! And we hope this is just the beginning.
This was all done by YOU. Please don't comment and say anything about my involvement, if you want to flatter me then just keep reading. All I did was show a need that was presented to be by another trusted person and YOU all helped take care of it.
We are not a charity where people call us and ask for help. We are a charity that relies on teachers, social workers, principals, police officers, fire and EMS workers who see these needs first hand and bring them to our attention and we provide virtually IMMEDIATE solutions to fix these needs.....unfortunately right now our account is about dry.
Our goal is to see children have all of their basic needs on hand to succeed in school and graduate! These are needs both inside and OUTSIDE the classroom that most people take for granted. We have partnered with local businesses to assist us with discounted and donated goods and services to meet these basic needs. We have partnered with local citizens and community members to request monetary donations to help us pay for things RIGHT NOW.....without having to jump through hoops and swim through red tape. Everything is done through the Grand Traverse Deputy Sheriff's Association union which is 100% non-profit, so it's all a tax deduction.
My most sincere thank you goes out to all of the people and the CRAZY amount of local businesses who have helped out thus far. So many people have gone above and beyond what any of us ever expected. Just today I got a message from a man in the area, his exact text was "What are the current needs for your/GT Co Sheriff's community resources endeavors? I have a little extra this month."
....."I have a little extra this month". That sentence exemplifies the spirit of what we should all strive to be. (Thank you Matt)
I would ask that you share this post please. We can never have too many partners and ANYONE/ANY BUSINESS can join us! We have an account at 4 Front Credit Union and I can provide the account number to anyone who cares to donate...just let me know if you need a receipt for tax purposes. There are needs coming in every day from schools all over our area and I don't want us to be behind the eight ball when we need to get something done asap.
It was bad enough for kids getting picked on in school BEFORE the social media age, imagine it now when whatever they are teasing you about is broadcast to such a huge audience. How can a kid today concentrate on school when she itches because her clothes are so dirty? (That's a true story) How can a kid make it in school if he can't see the board? (That's a true story) How can a kid succeed in school when they are sleeping on a mattress that is five times their age and stained with cat p*e? (Also a true story....actually a few of them so far.)
Join us. Be a part of the change we can make. Believe me when I tell you that I have seen people do good things by themselves, but together we can do GREAT things.
If you are willing to make a donation, please contact Deputy Matt McKinley at 231-947-3631 or 231-995-5000.
