Partners in preserving the past for future generations
When most people think of iconic Charlevoix landmarks, there’s a good chance that the South Pier Light, which has guided mariners to the safety of the channel and Round Lake since 1948, is the first to come to mind.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Charlevoix Historical Society, the financial support of community donors, and a wide range of grants, the light will continue to serve as a welcoming beacon for many years to come.
In the spring of 2025, GLE’s People Fund awarded nearly $117,000 in grants during its first grant cycle of the year. Among those grants was one for $8,000 to the Charlevoix Historical Society to help pay for the most recent restoration work needed for the South Pier Light. The work, which took place this past summer, included localized interior and exterior painting. On the interior, the work addressed peeling paint that was caused mostly by original mill scale on the steel.
The South Pier Light is just one of the Charlevoix Historical Society’s many preservation efforts. Earlier this year, the society received the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office Governor’s Award for Preservation for its efforts to restore and preserve the South Peir Light, the Harsha House, and the train depot.
To learn more about the Charlevoix Historical Society, including its many preservation and educational programs, and how to get involved with the organization through membership or contributions, visit chxhistory.com.
The support for the Charlevoix Historical Society is just one example of how the People Fund empowers local initiatives by harnessing the collective power of our members’ small individual contributions. It’s a testament to the generosity of Great Lakes Energy members, proving that together, a little can go a long way in making a profound difference.
Since it was established in 1999, the People Fund has awarded more than $5 million in grants to support organizations making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. The grants are entirely funded by GLE members who agree to have their monthly electric bills rounded up to the next whole dollar. For an average monthly contribution of about $0.50, GLE members can work together to make a positive impact in their communities.
If you aren’t already a People Fund participant, enrolling is easy!
- Log into your GLE online account or the GLE mobile app and select “People Fund” under the “Bill and Pay” menu.
- Visit gtlakes.com/people-fund, select the “Sign Up Now” button, and complete the online form.
- Call (888) 485-2537 and speak to a member of our member services team.
For more information about the People Fund, including a list of recent grant recipients and information about the grant application process, visit gtlakes.com/people-fund.