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When the Copper Country Angel Mission joined Giving Tuesday Copper Shores was still the Portage Health Foundation. Now in 2023 Copper Shores Community Health Foundation and the Copper Country Angel Mission continue building upon their already strong relationship. President of the Copper Country Angel Mission board of directors, Sherry Middlemis-Brown says that Giving Tuesday has made a large impact on the whole of Copper Country, and the mission. Allowing non-profits in the region to continue their important work in communities throughout the Keweenaw peninsula.
“It has been amazing. We’re getting a lot more recognition within the community. And we’re getting more people coming in needing help as well because they’re aware of us. And so are the people that want to support us. It has been amazing, a lot of people didn’t know where we are, or what we do. And now they do.” – Sherry Middlemis-Brown, President, Copper Country Angel Mission Board of Directors
During the year Copper Country Angel Mission operates its Calumet storefront for the community. The group also organizes an annual coat drive for the winter months and makes sure the community has a warm jacket. As well as organize the annual school backpack drive. Middlemis-Brown says that Giving Tuesday especially impacts the backpack drive when the mission often has to purchase more expensive items such as calculators.
“We put a lot of money out to purchase school supplies. We put a lot of money into purchasing winter wear. And then for the angel tree which is also starting up now. We do purchase a lot of gifts to cover kids who don’t have a sponsor. There’s a lot of money that goes into our programs. And that’s not considering the food pantry. The need for the food pantry has gone up tremendously over the last couple of years. As you know with inflation and pandemic and all of these things getting in the way of employment, there’s been a lot of demand.” – Sherry Middlemis-Brown, President, Copper Country Angel Mission Board of Directors
Giving Tuesday with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation last year raised over 650,000 dollars from individuals in the community and from friends of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Annually the foundation has provided a match sum to add to the day of giving’s total. Adding up to over 2.7 million dollars spread throughout the copper country over the past six years. Find more information about Giving Tuesday with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation here and more about the Copper Country Angel Mission here.
