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50th CBC fund drive underway

MANISTIQUE — For decades, people and businesses in the Manistique area have supported the CBC each year. In 2017, the non-profit organization will observe a milestone — its 50th annual fund drive.

First Chair for the 2017 CBC Jim Weber said the CBC Fund Drive typically raises about $50,000 for charity each year.

“That’s pretty impressive in this little community,” he said.

Traditionally, CBC has supported three causes with money collected through their annual fund drive — the American Cancer Society, Bay Cliff Health Camp, and a third, local charitable organization which changes each year. Weber said this year’s third charity has not yet been chosen.

“We’ve got about five applications,” he said. Charity applications were accepted through Feb. 15, and a final decision will be made by Feb. 21.

Every year, the CBC Fund Drive culminates in a telethon that takes place in the Manistique Middle and High School auditorium on Palm Sunday. Weber said 2017’s CBC Fund Drive will be no different in this regard.

“Of course, the telethon is the big event,” he said. The telethon will be broadcast on WTIQ 1490 AM and channel 191 on Charter.

In recognition of CBC’s 50th fund drive, 2017’s telethon will include interviews with some of the organization’s former chairs.

According to Weber, local performers will also be featured.

“We have some really nice talent lined up,” he said.

A live auction will once again be featured with items including sports memorabilia provided by the Detroit Tigers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Red Wings, and other professional teams. This year, people will be able to participate in early bidding on the CBC’s website.

At the same time as the telethon, a volleyball tournament will be held in the Manistique Middle and High School gym and a swimming tournament will be held in the school’s pool.

While the Palm Sunday telethon is the defining event of the CBC Fund Drive, it is preceded by several other events. Weber said one of these events — a basketball tournament — took place on Feb. 4.

“We just finished the CBC tournament in Manistique last Saturday,” he said. About 32 teams from across the U.P. participated in this tournament, which took place at Manistique Middle and High School, Emerald Elementary School, and St. Francis de Sales School.

According to Weber, CBC likely made about $5,000 from the basketball tournament.

More CBC-related events will be held in the area during the lead-up to the CBC Telethon. On Feb. 25, an auction and celebrity bartender event will be held at Marley’s Bar and Grill.

Several CBC events will be held at the Manistique Moose Lodge in March. These will include a chili cook-off on March 22, a brown-bag auction on March 24, and the Paul Larsen Memorial Euchre Tournament on March 26.

Other events planned for this winter and spring do not yet have a set date. One of these is a bounce house event at Emerald Elementary School, which Weber said is likely to take place on a school night in March.

Businesses interested in hosting events in support of CBC or donating to the organization are welcome to contact the CBC, Weber said.

Weber said he is proud to serve as First Chair for the 2017 CBC.

“For me, personally, I think it’s quite an honor to be on the CBC Committee,” he said.

For more information on the CBC, visit its website at www.cbcschoolcraft.org.

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