MANISTIQUE — Efforts to prepare for this year’s iteration of a long-running campaign supporting good causes in the area have been heating up recently. The 53rd annual CBC Fund Drive will take place in 2020.

Lisa Braun, first chair for the 2020 CBC and a lifelong Manistique resident, said she has fond memories of the program.

“I remember it as a kid, and it was always just a … huge thing in Manistique,” she said.

CBC has continued to grow over the years. In 2019, the fund drive raised approximately $60,500.

“We have to beat that, so I’m going to say ($65,000)-plus,” Braun said of fundraising goals for 2020’s fund drive.

Money raised through the annual CBC fund drive goes towards three causes — the American Cancer Society, Bay Cliff Health Camp and a third charitable organization that changes each year. According to Braun, the third organization for the 2020 fund drive has not yet been determined.

“We are taking applications currently for this,” she said.

Eligible charities must have a 501(c)(3) designation and must address poverty, access to food and clothing, access to healthcare or the health welfare of the community. They are also required to serve residents of Schoolcraft County, but do not have to be based in the county.

Letters of interest can be sent to Braun at 240N County Road 441, Manistique, MI 49854; they can be emailed to lisa.braun@carmeusena.com, as well. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 28.

As always, 2020’s CBC Fund Drive will lead up to a radiothon held at Manistique Middle and High School on Palm Sunday. For 2020, the radiothon will fall on April 5.

One well-known radiothon activity is an auction. Braun said the auction has changed significantly since her youth.

“Now, we can put everything online,” she said.

At this year’s auction, members of the public will be able to bid on a variety of donated items. These will include arts and crafts, home products, Lake Freighter luncheons, getaways, sports memorabilia and more.

Bids on auction items will be accepted online, over the phone and in person.

A talent show, a volleyball tournament, a bake sale, food vendors, health booths and kids games will be set up during the radiothon, as well.

In the months leading up to the radiothon, Braun said local businesses and organizations will put on a variety of events with the goal of providing financial support for CBC.

“CBC … isn’t just a one-day event,” she said.

Among the events scheduled in support of this year’s CBC Fund Drive is a boys and girls elementary basketball tournament at Manistique Middle and High School.

“That one is already scheduled for Feb. 29, and our deadline for team sign-up is Feb. 15,” Braun said.

Those looking to sign a team up for the event can contact Braun.

The basketball tournament will be followed by a celebrity bartender event and auction at Marley’s Bar & Grill, set to take place on March 6. Additionally, “Buck Boards” are ongoing at local establishments.

Currently-undated events expected to be held in support of 2020’s CBC Fund Drive include a Manistique Rifle & Pistol Club skeet shoot, a Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery beer and wine tasting and a Euchre tournament and brown bag auction at the Manistique Moose Lodge.

Braun thanked members of the community for their continued support of CBC.

“It’s amazing how many people come out … to help keep this cause going,” she said.

She also encouraged people who would like to get directly involved with CBC to reach out to her.

“To keep such a great tradition going, it does take a lot of volunteers,” Braun said.

To learn more about CBC, visit www.cbcschoolcraft.org.