Local Organizations Receive $57,370 in People Fund Grants

March 4, 2015
 
Great Lakes Energy (GLE) members who support the cooperative’s People Fund program made possible 21 grants to local community non-profit organizations. The People Fund Board of Directors awarded $57,370.16 in grants in February to the following non-profit organizations throughout the GLE service area.

  1. Lake County Historical Society, Baldwin: $2,228 to make a museum restroom ADA compliant.
  2. Fixing Furry Friends, Scottville: $1,229.76 for communications materials for tag days and other events.
  3. Tallman Lake Senior Center, Fountain: $1,600 for insulation in building addition.
  4. Sauble Township, Irons: $5,889.73 for a well for a community garden that would harvest food for a local food bank.
  5. Caritas Food Pantry, Custer: $3,570 for driveway renovations that would provide handicapped accessibility and better access for food truck deliveries.
  6. White Cloud United Methodist Food Pantry, White Cloud: $500 for food pantry stock.
  7. Lily’s Frog Pond, Howard Christensen Nature Center, Kent City: $1,000 for new exhibits.
  8. Ensley Township Baptist Lake Park, Sand Lake: $2,169 for tables and fencing.
  9. The Starting Block, Hart: $2,000 for a food processing training class, contingent on the group raising the rest of the funds needed.
  10. Love INC of Oceana County, Shelby: $1,000 for baby pantry supplies.
  11. Newaygo County Museum & Heritage Center, Newaygo: $1,000 for chairs.
  12. Grandvue Medical Care Facility, East Jordan: $10,000 for the Horizonvue Greenhouse, part of Phase I of the Grandvue Terrace and Recreation Park that will provide outdoor living and activities for elderly residents.
  13. Third Day Fellowship & Outreach, Charlevoix: $2,000 for food pantry stock and benevolence programs that assist with laundry vouchers, medical transportation and emergency needs.
  14. God’s Garden, Kalkaska: $1,697 for fencing for a community garden that provides harvested food to local food pantries.
  15. Alpine Regional Tennis Association, Gaylord: $5,000 for tennis court facilities, contingent on raising the rest of the funds needed.
  16. Otsego County Child Welfare Alliance, Gaylord: $1,000 towards car seats, lice kits and safety kits.
  17. Otsego County Sportsplex, Gaylord: $1,875 for facility equipment.
  18. Acme Christian Thrift Store & Food Pantry (ACTS), Williamsburg: $2,500 for food pantry stock.
  19. Kalkaska County 4-H Leaders Association, Kalkaska: $1,111.67 for small animal cages that will be constructed as part of a service learning project.
  20. Little Traverse Conservancy, Harbor Springs: $5,000 towards a new parking area project.
  21. Otsego Conservation District, Gaylord: $5,000 for a sound system for the amphitheater.

The People Fund is able to award grants three times a year to local community groups due to the generous contributions of Great Lakes Energy members who voluntarily allow their electric cooperative to round up their bill each month to the next dollar. More than $2.67 million in grants have been awarded since 1999 to charitable and community organizations throughout Great Lakes Energy’s 26-county service area, which stretches along the western side of Michigan.
“The People Fund is one of the easiest ways our cooperative members can help their community,” says President/CEO Steve Boeckman. “The average contribution is only 50 cents per month yet when combined with contributions of other members the funds benefit so many in need.”
Great Lakes Energy members can enroll in the People Fund by calling 888-485-2537 or visiting gtlakes.com. One hundred percent of the funds collected are used for grants.
Non-profit organizations in the Great Lakes Energy service area can apply for a grant through the People Fund by calling Great Lakes Energy, 1-888-485-2537, ext. 1313 or by requesting an application online. The next grant application deadline is June 1, 2015.

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