ESCANABA — For the fourth consecutive year, local teachers have volunteered as judges for the Bonifas Art Center’s Youth in Art exhibition. The teachers do this through their union local, Michigan Education Association Council 17B, which includes teachers from Delta, Menominee, Schoolcraft, and Dickinson counties.

Christopher Lund from the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District and Nanci Love from Bay College judged the art contest for the first time this March. Said Lund, “The Bonifas show is important for young people in this area because it provides the largest opportunity for students of all ages. Kids who are developing art skills get recognized for their efforts as well as accomplished older artists.”

Working with the Bonifas Art Center is only one of the charitable projects local teachers regularly support.

The Escanaba Education Association, for instance, sponsored a golf hole for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters “Golf Ball Drop” last August, held during Escanaba’s Rock the Dock event. They annually support two Little League Baseball teams and also provide dual scholarships for high school seniors in conjunction with the Escanaba Area School District’s Scholarship Program.

The Rapid River Education Association helped community members over the holidays by holding a Stuff the Turkey donation drive to aid local families in need with food and essentials.

Last October, in coordination with Limestone Federal Credit Union, the Manistique EA and ESP sponsored a “Fill the Bus” event to collect school supplies, toiletries, and monetary donations. Working with students from YETI (Youth Entertaining Teen Interest) and Key Club, they gave coupons for tailgate and concessions during football games for every person who donated supplies.

Manistique Education Association members are also active in the community on many fronts, including working with organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, and the Elks. They lead Boy and Girl Scout troops and volunteer time with Habitat for Humanity and highway clean-up drives. After-school youth groups like Art Club, Robotics Club and (YETI) are directed by Manistique teachers.

Bay College instructors, through the Bay College Faculty Association, contributed to the Faculty Scholarship they established two years previously. “This is the first year we will be giving out the scholarship, and we are so excited,” said Political Science instructor Molly Campbell, chair of the BCFA Scholarship Committee. Other members of the committee include Jennifer McCann (English), Tom Warstler (Social & Behavioral Science), Jennifer Farnsworth (Allied Health and Wellness) and Crystal Hendrick (Social and Behavioral Science, Iron Mt campus).

Bay College instructors also provide the monetary awards for each of the Outstanding Graduates selected annually by each of the 6 academic divisions, as well as support the Bay College Food Pantry.

The Michigan Education Association encourages members to design a Community Outreach event each year. As Math teacher Todd Kangas of Manistique says, “We are actively involved in all areas of our small local community. We are proud to serve.”