Help Cheboygan Families Recover from Historic Ice Storm

On Sunday March 30th, the city of Cheboygan and the surrounding area suffered the worst ice storm seen in over 100 years. Thousands of families were left without power, means to cook hot food, or heat, even as temperatures plummeted to well below freezing and into the single digits. Our local grocery stores lost power, causing most of their perishable food to spoil, and our gas stations either ran out of fuel or lost power. The governor of Michigan declared a state of emergency and deployed national guard members to help with the recovery and relief efforts.

Thankfully, many places opened up as emergency warming shelters, neighbors began sharing their generators with others, Walmart donated fresh, bottled water, and a local medical center opened their empty wing to those in need. However, there are are still many folks left without access to heat, electricity, or stable groceries. Police notified residents that if they had a safe place to go outside of Northern Michigan, they should do so. Unfortunately, another wave of ice, wind, and snow is coming and we have barely lost any of that which accumulated in the last storm. Many power lines and utility poles have snapped in half.

I have been in contact with our local Salvation Army business manager, Natalie Mac, regarding the needs of the community. We have decided to focus on non-perishable food items, batteries, diapers, wipes, and other infant needs, and general supplies. I (Teagan!!) will be taking all donated funds and venturing to our local Walmart (now back to be open thanks to generators!) to purchase these items before dropping them off at the Salvation Army. My goal is to do so by Saturday or Sunday (4/5 or 4/6), depending on the weather.

The people of Northern Michigan have never seen weather like this in our life times, it is truly a natural disaster. Please consider donating and I will go and purchase these necessary items and bring them to the Salvation Army who can distribute these items to those who are in need! Thank you so much, every bit of help is appreciated!!