Families lined up for ice cream, children bounced between inflatables and explored emergency vehicles, and divers answered questions from curious visitors as the annual Ice Cream Saves Lives fundraiser returned Aug. 4 to the Milkhouse Café in Fort Gratiot.
The event raises money for the Dive Team Auxiliary. Founded in 1983, the nonprofit supports the St. Clair County Sheriff Search & Rescue Dive Team through fundraising and donations.
While the evening featured ice cream, family activities and the annual Pig Pen Ice Cream Eating Contest, organizers said the event is equally about connecting the community with the volunteer dive team.
“Our team gets to see the community support them when normally that’s not possible,” St. Clair County Dive Team Auxiliary Chair Matt Graham said. “We’re here to raise money and show the community we care at the same time.”
Graham said the one-day fundraiser typically raises about $25,000, but organizers set a $30,000 goal this year after seeing strong corporate sponsorship support leading up to the event. By the time Tuesday’s fundraiser began, about $20,000 had already been committed through corporate sponsorships.
The money helps fund equipment, training and future projects for the dive team, including building matching funds needed to pursue grants for a replacement dive boat.
Matt Markham, a member of the dive team, said the fundraiser has had a direct impact on the team’s ability to respond safely to emergencies.
“Events like this raise thousands of dollars, which has helped us get a lot of equipment,” Markham said. “It’s helped us outfit our boats and our divers to be better suited for when someone goes missing, something goes into the water that shouldn’t be there, and we’ve got to go find it.”
Markham said he has watched the team’s equipment improve significantly since joining the dive team.
“I’ve been on the team seven years, and our equipment has drastically gotten better and safer for us because of this event,” he said. “The community support for this is integral to us doing our job.”
Lt. Marty Stoyan, who oversees the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office marine division and dive team, said he expected this year’s fundraiser to be among the busiest yet.
“It’s grown over the years, and I have a feeling right now this is going to be one of our busiest years,” Stoyan said.
Among those attending was Betty Guigar, of Marlette, who brought her dog, Baby Girl, to the fundraiser.
Guigar said returning to the event has become an annual tradition.
“Every year,” she said.
Along with ice cream, visitors had the opportunity to meet dive team members, explore dive equipment and emergency vehicles, learn about water safety and watch divers demonstrate their skills in a portable dive tank. Children also enjoyed bounce houses and other family activities throughout the evening.
Learn more about the Dive Team Auxiliary by visiting its website or Facebook page.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Ice Cream Saves Lives fundraiser returns to support county dive team
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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By Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
