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Lisa Luebke and Ben Crockett, of Char-Em United Way, with 300 hand-knitted kids hats that have been donated for Project Connect. The event coordinators are seeking a wide range of donated items and funds to purchase them.
Plans in place for Project Connect
Donations Needed
Plans are in place for the fourth annual Charlevoix-Emmet-Antrim Project Connect. The event will be held Wednesday, February 2 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Petoskey. Project Connect connects people in need with a range of health and human services needed to improve their lives.
Over 50 local non-profit agencies, as well as some businesses, will be on hand to provide a wide variety of services and resources. All services are free. They include: housing programs; utility support; food assistance; tax preparation; health screenings and services; children’s activities, and much more. Haircuts and chair massages will be available throughout the day. A hot lunch will be served. Guests can receive gifts of food, personal care items, and clothing, while they last. It is recommended that people bring picture ID, birth certificate, and income information with them, if they wish to apply for benefits.
“We are seeking donations of a wide range of goods and supplies – food, clothing, personal care items, gas cards, and funds to purchase these,” says Ben Crockett, AmeriCorps VISTA worker at United Way, who is helping to coordinate the event.
Individuals or businesses wishing to donate items can hold a drive at their business, school, or faith community. Lists of specific food, personal care, household, clothing or other items that are most needed are available on the United Way website www.charemunitedway.org, under Special Events. Drop boxes for donations will be available at: Dollar General in Boyne City; K-Mart and Olesons in Charlevoix; Walmart and Olesons in Petoskey; and Family Dollar in East Jordan and Harbor Springs.
You can also use your Glen’s Yes points to purchase items for the event. Points earned in 2010 will expire on January 31, so Project Connect organizers urge shoppers to use points to purchase cloth bags, gift cards and other non-perishable items on the Donations Needed flyers. Shampoo, lotion, and detergent are especially needed.
Free bus service to Project Connect will be offered from both Charlevoix and Emmet counties. Call 1-877-211-5253 for information on bus service. Guests are encouraged to park at the Emmet County fairgrounds. Free parking and shuttle service to the K of C will be provided all day.
Volunteers are also needed to help with the event. A list of volunteer opportunities at Project Connect will be posted on United Way’s Volunteer Connections website.
For more information about Project Connect, to volunteer goods, services or funds, contact United Way at 231-487-1006, info@charemunitedway.org or Hart at 231-347-8852, manna@mannafoodproject.org. Information and materials are also available on the Char-Em United Way website www.charemunitedway.org. A video of last year’s Project Connect can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA2AMgNc7k4
Project Connect is a project of the Poverty Reduction Initiative and Homeless Continuum of Care workgroup of the Charlevoix-Emmet Human Services Coordinating Body
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