Jim Hartley, chair again of this year’s Lenawee Cares campaign, spoke first and thanked those in the audience who have supported this great cause in the past – some of whom are members of the LC Pillars Club. Their contributions account for about 40% of the total monies raised each year, Jim said.  Jim eluded to the history of this organization (a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation which was established in 2016 when the Lenawee United Way board and its members unanimously approved the alliance with the Foundation.)
 
This is the third year of the LC campaign. Lenawee Cares is the product of the former Lenawee United way having combined forces with the Lenawee Community Foundation, The new organization, Jim said, has been able to realize over $150,000 in operating costs alone within the first two years of the change! They have also increased the amount of money going to their non-profit agencies by 46% and distributed much quicker than in the past! Last year $533,000 was raised during the campaign that go to fund “basic needs in our community”, Jim said.
 
Jim listed some of the organizations that benefit from LC: Boys & Girls Club, Catholic Charities, Hope, Adrian Community Pre-Schools, Catherine Cobb, Habitat for Humanity, Associated Charities, Hospice, YMCA, Housing Help of Lenawee, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Lenawee County Humane Society, Neighbors of Hope, Tecumseh Service Club, Child Care Network, Daily Bread, Share the Warmth, various food pantries, Adrian REA Literacy Center, ASO, Boy Scouts, Care pregnancy Center, Croswell, Adult Day Service, and others. Many of these organizations, Jim said, received significant grants up to $45,000! “All money stays in Lenawee County”, Jim said. Ten percent of contributions each year, he said, is endowed.  
 
Jim said he get much personal satisfaction for serving on the board of Lenawee Cares. He has seen first-hand the needs so many kids have in this county and what this organization has done to address it. “We are blessed to have so many great agencies that much such a difference in peoples’ lives. Thanks to you all for your support!”
 
Sue Hammersmith also thanked those who give so generously to the cause and for what we are doing as a club. “People truly do live out ‘Lenawee Cares’ every day”, she added. “Until basic needs in our community are met, it will be difficult to fix any other issues in the community like education and job training. None of those matter when kids don’t have clothes on their back, proper nourishment and a roof over their heads. That’s what Lenawee Cares is all about”, she said.
 
The Lenawee Community Foundation also offers additional programs that include: Volunteer Center who is always looking for volunteers. They also produce a Resource Guide, Sue said. Another is their Lenawee Youth Council, deer processing efforts for hunters who have more than they need which will be processed for free and donated to various food pantries in the area, just to name a few. Sue closed by thanking all members for everything they do.