The goal of the Belvedere Club Community Relations Committee is to “foster goodwill with local Charlevoix area residents”.
Because we are blessed to be here in this special area, our committee wants to increase individual Belvedere Club member awareness of and financial support of worthy non-profit organizations that benefit the community at large.
We plan to feature one of these non-profits weekly in upcoming Belve-News editions through a brief description of each organization plus provide a link to its website for more information, including how it can benefit from our financial support.
We also are hopeful that there will be increased awareness of this Belvedere Club outreach initiative in the community by our members who contact any of these organizations.
Belvedere Club Community Relations Committee members (July 2023) John Keyser, Geoffrey McClelland, Chris Payne, Chip Leakas
Our first featured non-profit is Challenge Mountain which provides year-round adaptive recreation programs and opportunities for individuals with disabilities in northern Michigan. Founded in 1982, Challenge Mountain believes that having access to and participating in recreational and social activities is integral to the well-being and fulfilling life of every person. CM has grown from offering only winter programs to providing over 1,900 individual experiences to new and returning participants and their families through programs and outings all year long. We encourage Belvedere Club members to seek more information on how Challenge Mountain benefits the Charlevoix Community and/or ways CM can benefit from your financial support. Click on its website: https://challengemtn.org/donate/
The second featured Charlevoix area non-profit is Little Traverse Conservatory. Its mission is to protect the natural diversity and beauty of northern Michigan by preserving significant land & scenic areas as well as fostering appreciation and understanding of the environment. As of June 2023, more than 330 private properties have received conservation easements, 400 nature preserves, and 38 working forest reserves are open to the public. LTC also provides a wide variety of environmental education programs at no cost to children and adults. The land is a living resource that is particularly critical in the North where natural beauty is our principal attraction for Belvedere Club members as well as the community at large. For more information about Little Traverse Conservatory and how you can support it, click on its website http://landtrust.org/membership/
The third Charlevoix area non-profit to be featured is the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan. For more than 40 years, WRCNM has provided a multitude of specialized, quality services for adults, children, and families to improve their lives in response to unmet needs in the community. WRCNM is recognized as a strong voice in promoting respectful, healthy, and nonviolent relationships, obtaining safe housing, and providing economic resources for women and families experiencing domestic abuse. Over the years, thousands of women and their family members seeking refuge have been provided shelter, meals, and all their daily needs at no cost. These social welfare challenges should be of interest to many Belvedere Club members who can get more information on what WRCNM does and ways to provide financial support by clicking on the link at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/wrconm/
The fourth Charlevoix area non-profit to be featured is The Charlevoix Area Humane Society. Dedicated to the protection and care of all animals, The Charlevoix Area Humane Society has been serving pets and their humans since 1974. Last year, The humane society had a 96% adoption rate. It also offers services in the area of Fostering Animals, Animal Control, Educational Programs, Pet Licensing, and Financial Assistance. We encourage Belvedere Club members to click on the organization’s website—https//www.charlevoixhumane.org/— for more information and ways to provide support.
Future Charlevoix Area Non-Profits to Feature in Upcoming Belve-News Editions
- Good Samaritan Family Services
- Bergmann Center (for mentally handicapped)]
- Big Brothers Big Sisters (mentoring children in need)
- Raven Hill Discovery Center (introduces children to science, history, and art)
- Great Start Collaboration (help youngsters to excel)
- Charlevoix County Community Foundation (many causes)
- North Central Michigan College