NORTHERN MICHIGAN — As communities across Northern Michigan continue recovery efforts following destructive ice storms that caused widespread power outages and damaged homes and roads, many people are looking for ways to help.
Several community foundations in the region have launched or re-activated emergency funds to support their local areas.
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Here are some examples:
The Otsego Community Foundation is asking for donations to its disaster response fund to help those who have been affected by the storm. The fund represents a centralized opportunity for donors to contribute to disaster response efforts. Donations will go to award grants to local organizations assisting with immediate relief as well as long-term rebuilding.
This is similar to what the foundation did after a tornado struck Gaylord in 2022.
“We are working closely with our local nonprofit partners that provide immediate relief to Otsego County residents such as shelter, food, oxygen and fuel. We anticipate that in the next few days, there will be many volunteer opportunities, including manual labor clean-up, feeding folks, donating supplies, etc.,” the foundation said in a statement.
The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan has reactivated its Urgent Needs Fund to support those most impacted across the region. The fund will provide immediate assistance to local nonprofits serving individuals and families facing hardship due to the storm’s aftermath. Seven of the counties included in the State of Emergency are part of the foundation’s service area, including Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Montmorency, Presque Isle and Oscoda counties.
“We are fortunate to be part of a caring, generous, and resilient community,” said executive director Patrick Heraghty in a press release. “The health and safety of our partners, staff and neighbors is always our top priority, and we recognize that many in our communities will experience increased hardship in the days and weeks ahead.”
Donations can be made online at cfnem.org. Checks can be mailed to CFNEM P. O. Box 495, Alpena, MI 49707.
The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation has launched an Emergency Response Fund to support local recovery efforts. The fund will assist eligible nonprofit organizations and government entities engaged in emergency support for individuals and communities across Emmet County, as well as operational funding for nonprofit organizations directly impacted by an emergency.
“This storm has affected our entire county, and full recovery may take weeks,” said executive director DJ Jones in a press release. “We’ve seen neighbors show up for one another and organizations rise to meet urgent needs. The Emergency Response Fund builds on that collective effort — working together to provide critical support where it’s needed most.”
The public can support recovery efforts by donating online at phsacf.org, or by sending payment to: Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, 1349 U.S. 131 Suite A, Petoskey, MI 49770.
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Some residents and businesses have also started GoFundMe campaigns to help offset costs from the storm.
For example, Bear Creek Organic Farm in Petoskey launched a fund after suffering significant damage to trees and crops.
“We usually want to be the first to offer help in times of crisis, but this time around, we have been paralyzed and unable to focus on anything but survival,” the farm wrote in the fund’s description. “Our farm sustained significant tree damage and product loss due to the once-in-a-generation ice event spanning 100+ hours. We have 30+ employees and our farm market is the only year-round organic produce market in our community.”
As of Friday morning, the farm had far exceeded its $39K goal. They have raised $73,027.
Organizers said they will use all additional funds to keep making their farm and community more resilient.
“We have big dreams for how we can continue to help our community rise back even stronger,” they wrote in a Thursday update. “Thank you for helping us make it all possible. We are so humbled and so grateful in this moment of incredible vulnerability.”
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: How to help: Donation options for ice storm relief, recovery in Northern Michigan
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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