[ad_1]
MUSKEGON COUNTY, Mich. — This September’s Michigan Irish Music Festival raised $50,000 to be donated to area organizations following the festival.
The festival showcases Irish music and culture and also places a strong emphasis on charity.
“We really want to be able to have an impact on other nonprofits in the community,” said Chris Zahrt, director of sponsorships for the Michigan Irish Music Festival and past president.
This year, the festival hosted a non-perishable food drive and donated all items collected, along with cash, to Area People’s Missions.
The Michigan Irish Festival has donated nearly $400,000 to Muskegon County nonprofits since it began tracking in 2008. The main focus is to help address food insecurity.
“Just last week, we were able to present a check to Meals on Wheels, Muskegon County’s AGEWELL service program,” Zahrt said.
Another area of donation is the Muskegon Sledding and Adventure Park. Funds from past events helped them build a new climbing wall.
“Part of our ‘For All Seasons’ initiative launched in 2017, we bring year-round entertainment to our parks here,” said Jim Rudicil, executive director of Muskegon Sledding Adventure Park. And not just winter, that was our focus for the first 35 years. ” “So now, we’re expanding into the summer. It’s a four-sided climbing wall that allows families to climb together and interact.
In addition, the park rents an Action Trackchair from the DNR. This is an electric wheelchair that allows more people to walk without barriers. The park wants to buy its own. It sells for about $17,000, of which about half has been raised so far through donations from the Irish Music Festival.
“Having a device like this allows people with disabilities to have fun with their families without having to travel to the site or wait for them to come back from their adventure,” Rudisill said. “They can have the adventure with them.”
Other organizations donating during the holiday include Kids Food Basket, Lakeshore Museum Center, West Michigan Speedskaters, Pioneer Resources, Family Promise of the Lakeshore, USS LST 393, Muskegon Rotary Club Interact Program, Knights of Columbus, Hope Project and Run Muskegon.
The festival will return in 2024 from September 12-15.
RELATED STORY: Warming weather affects businesses that rely on snow
►Make it easy for you to stay up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip?e-mail news@13onyourside.comvisit our Facebook page or Twitter.Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
[ad_2]
