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Author: Joel Selby, webmaster

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This is the season of Lent, a time when we reflect on sacrifice, and a time when many renew their commitments to prayer and giving to God’s people in need.  Mission for Area People is your mission, providing for God’s people in need right here in Muskegon County.

With our economy on the rise and lower rates of unemployment, you’d think we would see less poverty in our community. Not true for people who work a minimum paying job.  Most families live pay check to pay check.  An unexpected expense will start a domino effect and cause a financial hardship for a family.

Poverty is ever present and new people continue to be added to the ranks of the poor or low income.  The Food & Clothing Pantries, the Medical Support Fund, have experienced significant growth in the numbers of people seeking help.  You may know someone who has experienced financial challenges and has needed a “hand up”.

Thank you for your support and for taking the time to read this letter.  Please continue to help us, help others, and as you reflect on this Lenten season, we hope and pray that you will keep the work of MAP in mind with a special monetary gift.

Happy Easter over shining sunrise.

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Christmas 2017 Mission for Area People provided gifts to 1,335 children. In addition to the three main gifts per child (over 4,000 gifts), we also gave hats, gloves, and stocking stuffers, so we provided almost 10,000 gifts. For five days, Mission for Area People’s elves were busy setting up gifts, shopping with parents, and wrapping gifts. It is truly a wonderful sight to see.

At the end of the Holiday Toy Shoppe, we found that we didn’t have enough gifts for the teen-agers, ages 15-18 years of age. Salvation Army provides gifts to children infant to 14 years of age and the same for Toys for Tots.

Christmas will change this year at Mission for Area People. We will provide gifts only for teenagers 15-18 years of age. Teenagers are harder and more expensive to buy for, which puts a financial burden on a parent.

Please check the clearance items and put-away for Christmas this year. Items needed:

Watches, colognes, pajama bottoms, jewelry, wallets, purses, gift cards for fast food, iPhone, or music.

With your help, we can provide items for teenagers who might not receive gifts for Christmas.

Thank you for your support.

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Mission for Area People just celebrated 50 years of community outreach services! That says volumes for an agency that has grown in programs and services. The one area we have not grown in is new volunteers.

Many of the dedicated volunteers have been at MAP for over 20 years. Which also means they are 20 years older, and some have taken ill, or some have become snowbirds.

This is why your help is needed!!! The programs at Mission for Area People do not run themselves, the director does not run them, nor does the staff. It is the volunteers who keep the programs up and running at MAP. Volunteers are the core of any non-profit, without them, there is no clothing pantry, food pantry, medical support fund, Thanksgiving baskets or Christmas gifts.

The office is in need of volunteers to help database information, screen client requests, and verify information as needed. It is the Administrative Assistant who will oversee and help train in the office.

The pantries are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. If you have afternoons free, please call Diane at 733-9672. Help make a difference in your community by giving a hand-up.

Mission for Area People would like to welcome the ladies from the Greater Muskegon Service League. Your help on Monday is very much appreciated!

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When: Friday, May 11, 2018

Where: Folkert Community Hub Banquet Center,
640 Seminole Road, Muskegon

Time: 7:00—10:00 p.m.

Cost: $30 in advance or a table of 8 for $225

Tickets may be purchased on our website. Serving heavy appetizers, MIPhoto Booth, and dueling pianos featuring:

Matt Giraud

Matt Giraud is an American singer-songwriter and musician from Kalamazoo, Michigan and the fifth place finalist of the eighth season of the reality television series American Idol. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2007 and has made a living as a dueling piano player that sings and plays in local clubs and hotels.

More info about Matt Giraud

Billy Ryan

Born in Michigan, Billy Ryan started playing piano at  age 5 and never stopped. His solo acts in Japan, Canada, Mexico, Virgin Islands, Nevada, California and Michigan were met with rave reviews. Gloria Gaynor saw Billy perform in Los Angeles and was so impressed she invited him to conduct the orchestra for her show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

Then in 1999, he was invited to perform in Dueling Pianos full time which he enthusiastically took to right away and began performing at various Dueling Piano clubs nationwide. Billy says…”Dueling Pianos is all about the audience. The ultimate goal is the same. To make sure that everyone in the room feels that they took part in something unique, musical and most of all fun.”

More info about Billy Ryan

Cash Bar and Silent Auction.

All proceeds to benefit the Emergency Medical/Dental Fund at Mission for Area People.