Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum adds PleasANT Park exhibit

The Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum seeks to spark creativity, nourish learning, and inspire curiosity in children through an engaging, hands-on learning environment. They recently installed a new exhibit, called PleasANT Park, which focuses on showing children how to engage with the outdoors in an ever-growing technological society.

The Kellogg Youth Fund, the Jane McNamara and Louise Williams Fund and the Ranck Family Fund provided funding for the hollow log portion of the exhibit, which is intended to promote gross motor development in children. Since the installation of the PleasANT Park, the Discovery Museum has seen an increase in attendance. The museum is excited about the popularity of the exhibit and would like to develop educational programming for the exhibit that will teach children about conservation.

Melissa Langlois and her children, ages 4 and 6, love the new exhibit. “Jaxson and Lauren discovered the PleasANT Park exhibit a few days after it was installed and they could hardly contain their excitement! The ant maze has become a race for them to see who can get through first without following each other. My son especially enjoys climbing up on the hollow log to pretend he is scouting for deer and other wild animals. Lauren has decided that it is a perfect spot to read books.”

Popular Author Speaks to Students

Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) wanted to bring awareness and excitement to their students about the importance of reading, writing and history in early 2017. They set a goal to have nationally-known author and Michigan native, Janie Lynn Panagopoulos, speak with students.

The Kellogg Youth Fund made this goal possible for SHA.  Panagopoulos is noted for the authentic historical fiction she has written about Michigan and the surrounding area. She spoke to individual classes at SHA in March, tailoring messages to each grade level. She provided information in a way that makes the past come alive for her readers.

She met with students in grades two through six and offered a 45-minute presentation that engaged the students in a story brought to life by her personal animation. She also met with the youngest students at SHA, sharing a special message to help them develop a love of reading and books. She made a stop at the Chippewa River District Library to hold a special reading program open to children across the community. “She brings reading alive for your youngsters and instills a love of books which will last a lifetime.”

Students have Access to more Technology

The Kellogg Youth Fund, the Lon Morey Family Fund and the Community Impact Fund helped fund the project “Laptops for Literacy.” This project added 32 new laptops and because of this addition, teachers are now able to test multiple classrooms at a time. The test windows are limited and more computers allow for more students to test in a timely manner. Teachers can now test in their classrooms, so that during technology classes other instructional goals can be obtained such as keyboarding, Microsoft word, PowerPoint, etc.

The 88 students, kindergarten through sixth grade, now have greater access to the computers instead of just during their technology class. This will help the teachers be able to do more projects and testing in a shorter amount of time. Students will now have greater accessibility to research, write papers and create PowerPoint presentations.

After Prom Party Keeps Kids Safe

For the last 20 years, Shepherd High School has hosted an After Prom Party. This event is a safe, positive and entertaining alternative to other not-so-safe options for students during the late night hours after prom. The goal is to host a huge party with lots of fun activities and prizes for Shepherd High School Juniors and Seniors. Groups of parents have volunteered to organize this event every year.

The Shepherd Community Fund in Honor of Robert Bates provided funding for last years’ event. On May 6-7, 2017 the party was held at Morey Courts from 11 PM to 3 AM. Each year the event is a little different in order to attract new students who may have attended the previous year. 2017’s After Prom Party included:  three different inflatables, Karaoke, ice skating, volleyball, basketball, dodge ball, Wally ball and a game of corn hole. There was also a photo booth available for students to take pictures with their friends. The attendance in 2017 was up by 58 students, totaling 178. “One of the best parts about our prom is After Prom, a place for us all to hang out together and do activities we usually don’t get to do,” said senior, Abby Schlorff.

The After Prom event will continue as long as there are volunteers who are willing to help with the three fundraisers that are hosted throughout the school year, and the community continues with their generous donations. “Being at After Prom is one of those high school moments that I won’t forget,” said senior, Sam Travis.

Keeping Babies Safe while they Sleep

For the last 33 years, Isabella County Child Advocacy Center has been working to support a community where children and their families have a voice, as well as an advocate, as they navigate toward confidence in a safe and successful future. The ICCAC is committed to child advocacy through multidisciplinary team collaboration within child abuse investigations and education programs dedicated to ensuring safe and healthy environments.

 The ICCAC is partnering with Cribs for Kids to provide a free “Safe Sleep Survival Kit” to low income families who may not be able to purchase a crib for their infant. The Women’s Initiative Fund provided funding for this program, which is aimed at reducing the number of infant deaths that occur due to unsafe sleep practices.

The survival kit will include a Graco Pack n’ Play, a Halo SleepSack, a Pack n’ Play crib sheet, a pacifier, educational materials with a safe sleep message, and a baby’s first baby book. This program is currently projected to benefit ten families in the community. As a new project in the community, the hope is to educate all parents on the importance of providing a safe sleep environment for their babies. 

Stationary Food Pantry Opens

More than one in seven people in Isabella County struggle with food insufficiency. Community Compassion Network (CCN) is a charitable organization with an ecumenical outreach, dedicated to feeding and caring for the hungry with dignity and equity. CCN was founded by Mt. Pleasant Community Church and rapidly grew into a community-wide, charitable organization.

CCN provides supplemental food to individuals and families in need. The organization has been hosting mobile food trucks every two weeks, serving approximately 225 families each time. Forty percent of those who come to the CCN mobile food trucks are over 60-years-old and have worked their entire lives, but their social security is no longer sufficient to cover food, rent, heat and medication. In addition to the mobile food trucks, CCN packs 600 bags of weekend food for local children in partnership with Isabella County schools. While there are several small food pantries that serve portions of Isabella County, CCN is the only pantry that serves residents county-wide with the only requirement being that guests meet USDA poverty guidelines.

A grant from the Community Impact Fund and W. Sidney Smith and Judith French Smith Family Fund in late 2017 helped CCN to open and stock a stationary food pantry that opened in January, 2018. Based on their history with stationary pantries, CCN anticipated serving almost one and a half times the number of families served by the mobile trucks. Grant dollars were used to purchase food through the Greater Lansing Food Bank, a regional affiliate of Feeding America, at twelve cents per pound. The CCN stationary pantry is now open four days a week, approximately four hours per day, and is located at 1114 West High Street in Mt. Pleasant.

Ronald McDonald House Supports Local Families

The Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan (RMHWM) serves to provide a “home away from home” for families who travel to the Grand Rapids area for critical health treatment of children and youth through their Family Support Program. On average, they will support eight to ten families from the Mt. Pleasant area each year for an average of 21 nights, resulting in an average savings of $2,500 per family.

 In 2016 alone, the RMHWM Family Support Program hosted eight families from the Mt. Pleasant area for a total of 102 nights, resulting in savings of $12,750 for the families. RMHWM recently received a 2018 Challenge Grant from the Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation of Grand Rapids, which will match all new contributions from community foundations by 100 percent.

The Family Support Program received $650 from the Community Impact Fund, $1,250 from the Kellogg Youth Fund, and $600 from the Missy and Doug LaBelle Foundation Community Impact Fund. The program will be able to serve an even greater number of families as a result of these grants and the matching contributions.

The Mt. Pleasant community looks after their own, even when they need to go elsewhere for care. The Family Support Program of the RMHWM directly serves the Mt. Pleasant area by providing quality living accommodations so that families will have one less expense to worry about when seeking critical healthcare for their children.

Clothing INC Gets Organized

Clothing INC has operated a clothing closet in our community since 2005.  The mission of Clothing INC is to make an impact on the lives of underprivileged in the area by providing free clothes to those in need.

The Staples Family Fund and the Weisenburger Family Fund provided grant funding in 2017 for Clothing INC to  purchase three-drawer storage carts, large bins, 177 totes and a computer. Before the grant award, undergarments were stored in totes under the clothes and on racks. It was difficult for guests to find their sizes because they were required to go through all of the bags and totes.

On April 22, 2017, more than 20 Eydent Insurance employees volunteered at Clothing INC to arrange clothing by size, and to label the large bins for use in the closet. A guest recently commented, “I like the look of your closet. The storage carts help me find what I need without assistance.”

Since moving to 1114 W. High Street in Mt. Pleasant, the amount of new and gently used clothing donated by community members has increased to fill a full shed more than once a day. Volunteers regularly sort and organize the donations, using the bins and totes. Items that are unsuitable for distribution are taken to other local charities.

Counseling Services Exceed Expectations

The Family Initiative Project was born out of a need for affordable counseling services for Isabella County families and individuals. Faye Schaeffer, Christian Counseling of Mid Michigan (CCMM) employee, described the lack of affordable counseling as a “need especially among lower income families in the community. The financial hurdle, along with the mental health stigmatism makes reaching this demographic very difficult.” The impact of this program results in more stable families, community and local schools.

Every three years, the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee conducts a Youth Needs Assessment to ascertain the top issues facing Isabella County youth today. Stress, school pressure, depression and loss have consistently been identified as some of greatest struggles. The YAC recommended support for the Family Initiation Project from the Kellogg Youth Fund as a way to address a top need identified in their survey. The Fabiano Family Fund, a community impact fund, also partially funded this project.

CCMM offers services to anyone in need, regardless of their ability to pay. Employees felt pleasantly surprised at how far they were able to stretch the grant funding and the overall number of families and youth that were served. The total number of child and adolescent sessions held exceeded 85 with 100% of the services being provided at a reduced rate. CCMM reports that 73% of families will continue with services beyond the date of the project. CCMM will continue to offer services at affordable rates without ever turning anyone away due to an inability to pay.

Project Weidman Builds New Playground

Project Weidman was formed in 2016 with the goal of bettering the Weidman Community. They recently completed Project Playground, a rebuild of Mitchell Memorial Park Playground, in Weidman, Michigan. Project Weidman took interest in the project when Gleaner Life Insurance brought the poor condition of the recreational facility to their attention after a company picnic.  

The Access to Recreation fund, the Brewster Access to Recreation Fund, the Mary Ellen Brandell Access to Recreation Fund, and the Janet Maar Strickler Access to Recreation Fund have provided funding to assist in purchasing the equipment for the new playground. The Project Playground Committee took about a year to plan for the new recreational facility, and built it in two days. On August 26, 2017, construction was completed. The old playground was more than 60 years old and had become unsafe for children to play on. This left Weidman residents without a safe play structure for their children unless they traveled to neighboring cities.

Since the new playground has been constructed, Weidman residents have been seen using it every single day. Children play on the equipment while adults lounge at the picnic tables reading books and watching their kids. The playground has even become a venue for birthday parties. A sidewalk is to be added in the spring, and there are plans for a pavilion and decorative landscaping to be added in upcoming years. The Weidman community now has a safe space for their children to play.