Cherry Republic’s “31 Days of Giving” campaign supports local nonprofits
From staff reports
Cherry Republic is holding its eighth annual “31 Days of Giving” campaign through the month of December. Each day, the Glen Arbor company will announce grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Michigan. Over the years, the gifts have benefited everyone from children and families to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
In 2018 and 2019, the imminent threat of climate change caused Cherry Republic to laser-focus on those groups that promoted clean and renewable energy. This year, the company has a good mix of charities in mind, starting on December 1-2 with generous gifts to two local organizations who can help make a Merry Christmas for 25 families in our community. Follow Cherry Republic’s blog all month long to see who 31 Days of Giving supports this year.
DECEMBER 8
$12,000 to four excellent nature centers. The Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire, the Leslie Science & Nature Center in Ann Arbor, the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, and the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee will each receive $3,000.
DECEMBER 7
$10,000 to FLOW. This is ongoing support for this important organization working on protecting the Great Lakes watershed, which holds 20% of the world’s freshwater. This group is working on stopping many of the biggest threats to our precious Great Lakes — climate, invasive species, aquaculture, diversion, energy, algae blooms, and more. Donate to FLOW.
DECEMBER 6
$6,000 to Little Traverse Lake Association. Half of this will go to their new Clean Water Campaign, which will monitor water quality and the other half will go to the purchase of a spray washer at the public access to prevent invasive species from getting into Little Traverse Lake. Donate to the Little Traverse Lake Association.
DECEMBER 5
$20,000 to the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. This is ongoing support for this important environmental organization that has been focused these last years on clean water and climate action. Much of this grant is going to help MLCV highlight the good happening politically in Michigan. Governor Whitmer recently moved to shut down Line 5 and also set some of the biggest climate action goals of any state in the union. This gift will help educate people about what Gov. Whitmer is doing to address clean water and climate change. Donate to the MLCV.
DECEMBER 4
$6,000 to several important neighborhood causes. Today’s donation includes $2,000 to the Sleeping Bear Gateways Council to support their work on creating housing for summer workers in our region. $2,000 to the AIR Foundation to help send kids with special needs to camp at a beautiful site on Basch Road. And $2,000 to Glen Lake Association to support their clean water programs and monitoring.
DECEMBER 3
$10,000 to the Leelanau Conservancy. For 27 years we’ve been supporting this important organization preserving our land and quality of life here in Leelanau County. $5,000 goes to support the Leelanau Conservancy’s Farmland Preservation work, and $5,000 goes to the expansion of their Palmer Woods Forest Reserve. This supports the purchase of adjacent lands and the expansion of their excellent multipurpose trail systems. Donate to the Leelanau Conservancy.
DECEMBER 2
$7,500 to the Great Lakes Business Network. Cherry Republic is a founding member of the GLBN, a business association dedicated to protecting our Great Lakes. Bob Sutherland, our president, is on the Executive Committee and is Chair of the Energy Committee. We proudly support Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in shutting down Line 5, which has been the greatest threat to our vital watershed since it was installed in the 1950s. Donate to the Great Lakes Business Network.
DECEMBER 1
$10,000 to Leelanau Christian Neighbors: Cherry Republic’s first gift of our 31 Days of Giving recognizes this pandemic year of struggle for so many. We are so excited to work with Leelanau Christian Neighbors who will take our $10,000 check to the bank and exchange it for $50 bills, which will be divided among 20 families in need of a little financial support. We feel so fortunate to have overcome the challenges we’ve faced this year. We give this gift with gratitude, knowing others haven’t been so lucky. Donate to Leelanau Christian Neighbors.
