give to your local ypsilanti non-profits this holiday season

For the past few years, Linette and I, and a number of volunteers have put out an annual “Shop Ypsi for the Holidays” brochure, encouraging people to keep their money local by purchasing gifts from businesses owned and operated by local folks. Last year, a significant portion of the printing costs for this brochure were picked up by a fellow in the community named Gary Clark. Gary not only liked the project, and wanted to support it, but he had an idea for similar initiative focused on local giving. And, now, thanks to another great set of volunteers, that’s also been accomplished. There’s a brochure that you can find in most downtown businesses, and a website that provides an almost comprehensive list of local nonprofits providing services within Ypsilanti. (If you see any that are missing, you can submit their names though the website and ask that they be added.)

As you can probably imagine, with the economy being as bad as it is here in Michigan, our local non-profits are hurting. As I mentioned here the other days, over 20% of people in Michigan are receiving some kind of public support, whether it be in the form of food stamps, unemployment insurance, or some other program. Our local non-profits provide services to a much wider group than just that, but I mention it to give you some idea of the enormity of the situation we’re facing. Our non-profits like SOS Community Services and the Corner Health Center are being asked to do more than ever, at the same time that, due to the economy, donations are becoming harder to come by. This holiday season, if you have any money at all to spare, please consider picking up a copy of Give Local brochure and find an Ypsilanti charity that you would like to support.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. With the speed at which things are changing in the world, there’s no way of knowing where we’ll all be in a year. Those of us who have jobs now, may not then. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have insurance now, may lose it. We could be well into another Depression. If that’s the case, we’re going to desperately need the support network of our local non-profits, even more than we do today…. We never know when it might be us needing a helping hand. So, if you can, give something today, while you can. It’s in your own best interest to do so, and it’ll make you feel damn good… So, this Christmas, instead of buying a piece of plastic junk for a relative who you know doesn’t need it, think about making a donation instead.

And, if you’re a reader of this blog from one of the 49 states that’s more well-off than Michigan, do me a favor and consider sending a few bucks to one of Ypsi’s fine non-profits. I can guarantee that it will be put to good use… Thanks.

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3 Comments

  1. mark
    Posted November 26, 2008 at 10:38 pm | Permalink

    And when you’re delivering your Thanksgiving toast tomorrow, be sure, after drinking to President Obama’s health, and praying for Al Franken to win his recount, to give God some props for finally shutting up Ann Coulter.

  2. Jen
    Posted December 2, 2008 at 5:29 pm | Permalink

    Love the idea of giving locally – thanks for your efforts in community organizing!

    I wanted to add a worthwhile charity – it’s physical space is in Ann Arbor but serves all of Washtenaw County (with at least 75% of families/clients based in Ypsi.) Couldn’t find the place on the website to request an addition…help?

  3. mark
    Posted December 2, 2008 at 11:14 pm | Permalink

    If you tell me the name of this place, I’d be happy to forward it to the folks responsible for the website, Jen.

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