Through the many fundraisers we organize, and the many generous donations we receive, we are able to support the fine organizations listed below in their efforts to make the lives of others better.
Boy Scouts of America Troop 168
www.bwcbsa.org
(810) 984-4131
The Blue Water Council serves youth and their families in St. Clair County, teaching youth citizenship, character development, and physical and mental fitness.
Child Abuse/Neglect Council
www.sccstopchildabuse.org
(810) 966-9911
The St. Clair County Child Abuse/Neglect Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to working toward the prevention and ultimate elimination of child abuse and neglect in St. Clair County, MI. Its membership is comprised of local concerned agencies and individuals and its focus is community education, public awareness and advocacy of local community-based prevention programs.
Kids in Distress (KIDS)
(810) 326-4505
The K.I.D.S. concept was developed to assist children and teens through difficult transitions in their lives. Each year throughout St. Clair County hundreds, if not thousands of children wake up each morning knowing they don’t have clothes to wear or a backpack to place their school books in. KIDS is here to change that for all needy children in St. Clair County. On average there are 200 children and teens in foster/adoptive care at any given time of the year.
Many children are victims of home eviction, domestic violence, house fires, or are placed into temporary emergency care by law enforcement agencies or Child Protective agencies. In addition to clothes, personal hygiene products, school supplies, and basic home needs, KIDS provides children and families with a sense of caring.
Lions Bear Lake Camp
www.bearlakecamp.org
(810) 245-0726
We aspire to provide a premiere outdoor recreational/educational facility providing opportunities for people of special needs to enhance self-worth, attain independence, acquire social skills and realize their full potential as human beings. We are dedicated to working with the greater community and include them as a partner in addressing the needs of society. We intend to provide an atmosphere that is wholesome, and encourages awareness and appreciation of our natural environment.
Camps Include:
- Visually Impaired Youth Camp
Bear Lake Camp offers a camp program for youth with visual impairments. The program focuses on having fun while developing self concepts, relationship learning, independence with life skills and acquiring outdoor skills. The program is financially supported by Lions, Lioness and Leo clubs throughout Michigan. There is no charge to the families of the campers.
- Hearing Impaired Youth Camp
Bear Lake provides a one week camp experience for youth who are hearing impaired. The program is developed and coordinated by teachers of the hearing impaired. It is geared to meet the unique needs of children who use listening and spoken language as their primary modes of communication. Our goal is to provide a camp rich with experiences that promote communication. While having fun, we will build vocabulary, focus on auditory skills and use good language to communicate with others.
- Camp Dakota (sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation Michigan Chapter)
Camp Dakota is a special camp where children with juvenile arthritis can come to have fun, make new friends and learn more about their disease. The Arthritis Foundation and Bear Lake camp staff organizes activities that will help campers build self-esteem, confidence, independence and lasting friendships.
Mid City Food Bank (Soup Kitchen)
(810) 982-9261
The Mid City Food Bank provides meals to low income individuals and to those who are homeless. The soup kitchen serves two hot meals per day on weekdays, and one meal per day on weekends.
Old Newsboys
All proceeds from the 2009 Old Newsboys campaign were used for $55 gift vouchers to Super Kmart Center in Port Huron Township to buy socks, shoes, underwear and boots for about 2,200 local children in need. Financial donations are being accepted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Times Herald office, 911 Military St., Port Huron, or can be mailed in care of the Old Newsboys, Times Herald, Box 5009, Port Huron, 48061-5009.
St. Clair County Learning Academy
www.sccresa.org/countyeducation/academies/learningacademy/
(810) 364-8990
The Learning Academy is a public school academy chartered by the St. Clair County RESA. The RESA manages the Academy and acts as the educational service provider. The Learning Academy provides schooling for youths in grades 6-12 who are under the jurisdiction of the St. Clair County Circuit Court Family Division. Average stay of students is six to eighteen months, during which they are monitored and prepared to transition back into a regular school setting.
The focus of the St. Clair County Learning Academy is to ensure that the educational process is continued while students are in the court system. Utilizing a curriculum tied to the state's curriculum framework, students are provided individualized instruction to meet their specific needs. The main goal of the Academy is to provide students with the skills necessary to perform at or near their respective grade level by the time they return to their home school district. In addition, students are able to earn credits required for graduation while they are attending the Academy.
Fort Gratiot Intermediate School
Quay Street Foster Kids
St. Stephen’s Christmas Basket
Salvation Army
Youth for Christ
