Being secluded in the Eastern Upper Peninsula above the Mackinac Bridge we have seen common occurrences where communities in the rural areas will see severe winter weather where they may get snowed in, occur roads closures, bridge closures, ferry shutdowns to even going without power for a few days up to weeks. In 2019/2020 local news stations reported that the Eastern Upper Peninsula experienced severe winter weather which left approximately 4,000 people without power, even some for multiple days due to ice, snow, and downed power lines. According to the USDA the Eastern Upper Peninsula counties (Chippewa, Mackinac, Luce) on average has 15.2% (13.9%, 19.1% 12.5%) of the population reported as being in poverty. With so many of our population being in poverty many cannot prepare appropriately for incoming weather which may be due to lack of transportation or finances. When that happens, we here at United Way want to make sure our adults (55+) we are trying to empower for more self-sufficiencies are prepared.
RSVP has decided to assemble and distribute 420 winter emergency kits. 400 kits will be distributed throughout the Chippewa (250 kits), Mackinac (105 kits), and Luce (45 kits). The remaining 20 kits will be housed at the United Way office in Sault Ste. Marie, MI for anyone (55+) who may stop in the office and need assistance in an emergency. The goal of the project includes providing an opportunity engage youth and senior volunteers to come together for a community project that involves assembling winter emergency preparedness kits to then distribute to those who are 55+ to allow them to be self-sustainable during a Winter Emergency if needed until someone could get to them and help.
The project plans are to serve at minimum 420 individuals with Emergency Winter Preparedness Kits. Along with engaging 100+ volunteers (90-101 Youth volunteers, 5-10 adult/senior). Volunteers will be impacted by the results of this project that connects to Martin Luther’s message of equality and serve by showing the youth that multiple schools/classrooms can come together for a community project that will help serve those 55+ who may not be in a sustainable situation to prepare for Emergencies.
The work volunteers will undertake to accomplish the goals for this project are we will focus on having our youth volunteers (90-101 youth) in classrooms or at the office assemble the 420 kits that will be distributed. Then we will have our adult/senior volunteers (5-10) help with assembling the kits that will stay in the united way office as well as helping organize and distribute the supplies for the unassembled kits and distribute the assembled kits to the township halls.
