A Guide to Giving on the Old Mission Peninsula

Happy Holidays! ‘Tis the season for giving, and there are plenty of opportunities right here on the Old Mission Peninsula (OMP).

While today is known as #GivingTuesday, deemed by the Internet Gods as a day to give to your favorite non-profit and charitable organizations, these OMP groups appreciate your donations all year long.

Here’s a round-up of organizations, both charitable and non-charitable, that could use your financial help, as well as your membership and volunteer time, if you’re so inclined.

If I’ve missed any organizations, feel free to email me at [email protected], and I’ll add them to the list.

MISSION POINT LIGHTHOUSE – DONATE HERE

Mission Point Lighthouse, located at the end of M-37 (Center Road), is always in need of volunteers, specific items, expertise, information and lighthouse keepers. Donations are tax deductible, and you may donate funds to a specific project, such as the new education program, trail signs, landscaping, restoration projects, maintenance, visitor use enhancement or playground equipment. If you have questions or would like to become a Mission Point Lighthouse “Friend,” contact Lighthouse Manager Ginger Schultz at (231) 645-0759 or email [email protected]. Visit their website and Facebook page.

PENINSULA COMMUNITY LIBRARY – DONATE HERE

If you’ve been following our Old Mission Gazette stories about Peninsula Community Library over the past couple of years, you know they’re in the process of building a new library on the Old Mission Peninsula. Currently under construction on the corner of Island View Road and Center Road (see the latest construction photos here), the new library will continue to offer the information, education, culture and entertainment that’s been a hallmark of our Peninsula library over the years. It will also include a community center with a hearing assistance loop and the technology for multi-media presentations. The fundraising campaign for the new library has raised about $2.2 million, but still needs an additional $350,000 to meet their goal. Become a PCL Friend here, and visit the library’s website, Facebook and Twitter pages. For more info, contact PCL director Vicki Shurly, (231) 223-7700, [email protected].

OLD MISSION GAZETTE – DONATE HERE

While the Gazette is not a nonprofit organization, we hope you’ll consider helping to support our mission to bring you daily Old Mission Peninsula news, history, photos, meeting recaps and more. Some of the ways you can help support our mission include:

• Advertising in the Gazette (including our email newsletter and social media channels)
• Purchasing OMP-focused items in our online store
• Making a donation

My husband Tim and I love publishing Old Mission Gazette, and we’re devoted to our Old Mission Peninsula community. Click here for more information about how you can help keep Old Mission Gazette cruising along, or feel free to email me any time, [email protected].

PETER DOUGHERTY SOCIETY – DONATE HERE

This non-profit 501(c)(3) organization oversees the Dougherty Historic Home Site located at 18459 Mission Road in the village of Old Mission, Michigan. The property consists of the 1842 home built by Reverend Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian minister, and 15 acres of surrounding land. Now part of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, the home and surrounding grounds require extensive restoration with the goal of becoming a historical, cultural and educational center, as well as a museum for residents and visitors. They hope to open to the public in the summer of 2019. Donations are tax deductible and will help to renovate, restore and preserve this important piece of Old Mission Peninsula history. Visit their website, and contact them at [email protected].

OLD MISSION PENINSULA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Founded in 1992 by a group of Old Mission Peninsula residents concerned about saving the Hessler Log Home (which was subsequently restored and moved to Lighthouse Park), the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society continues to work toward fulfilling its mission of preserving historical structures and keeping alive the rich history of the region. They joined with Peninsula Township to raise the money necessary to purchase and preserve the Peter Dougherty Homestead and surrounding 15 acres. Consider joining the OMP Historical Society by downloading this form and returning it to the address noted on the form. For more info, visit their website or email treasurer Ellen Kerr, [email protected].

GARLAND-TOMPKINS AMERICAN LEGION POST 399

The Garland-Tompkins American Legion Post 399, located at 4007 Swaney Road (near Haserot Beach), helps to support members of the Armed Services who are residents of the Old Mission Peninsula, including sending packages to troops. The Legion hosts an annual Pig Roast every August to help with the expense of maintaining the Legion Hall and to pay off the construction of the Post Office addition. The American Legion Community Hall is available for rent for small weddings, graduation open houses, baby showers and other community events. You can also support the Legion by attending their family-style dinners on the first and third Tuesdays of every month. Appetizers are served at 6 p.m., and the dinners start at 6:30 p.m. (although most residents arrive a little early to meet and visit with friends). For more information about donations, hall rental and events, call Mary Shultz, (231) 223-7721.

OLD MISSION PENINSULA EDUCATION FOUNDATION – DONATE HERE

This charitable, nonprofit organization was formed in 2016 to oversee the purchase of Old Mission Peninsula School (OMPS) from the Traverse City Area Public School system, which had made the decision to close the school. With generous donations from the community, the new OMPS – a charter school through Grand Valley State University – opened its doors in September 2018 to 142 students. The new school also includes infant, toddler and preschool options for families through Angel Care Child Care. While donations made the charter school a reality, there is still a long way to go. Ongoing funding will help the foundation continue its mission of supporting and enhancing quality educational programs on the Old Mission Peninsula. Some of their goals include a full time language teacher, increased art and music opportunities, more staff, additional technology and state of the art security. For more info, visit their website and Facebook page, or call (231) 252-0225.

PROTECT THE PENINSULA

Protect the Peninsula is a group of people in Peninsula Township who’ve been working without financial gain for the past 36 years to fight for ordinances and policies in the best interest of all Old Mission Peninsula residents. Members include fruit growers, year-round residents, seasonal residents and absentee property owners, as well as visitors who care deeply about the past, present and future of Old Mission Peninsula. Mark Nadolski, president of the group, notes that they are not a charitable organization, but rather a “government watchdog group” that has spent thousands of hours attending Township meetings, sending out surveys to learn what OMP residents want their township to be, and creating publications to educate and inform the citizenry. The group successfully fought and won a battle in 1988 to keep a 1000-acre development called ‘The Bluffs’ from happening. “This would have included hundreds of homes, apartments, condos, an 18-hole golf course, a commercial center and a large marina,” says Nadolski. The group also forced a major change to the Underwood Development that substantially reduced the number of units allowed in that project. Non-tax deductible contributions may be made payable to “Protect the Peninsula” and mailed to: Treasurer, Protect the Peninsula, 10493 Center Road, Traverse City, MI 49686. Questions may be directed to Mark Nadolski, (231) 233-6616.