Christmas in June fundraiser helps health foundation

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Ironwood — Supporters of the Gogebic Range Health Foundation gathered at the Cold Iron Brewery Sunday for the organization’s annual Christmas in June fundraiser.

“It’s really good. We’re really happy with the turnout,” said Andrea Newby, the foundation’s program director.

Now in its third year, Newby said it looked like the event had hit its turnout goal this year.

There were a variety of raffles and drawings that attendees could enter, as well as food and some games for the kids in attendance.

A fundraiser for the health foundation, the money raised Sunday will ultimately be returned to the community.

“This year, we’re raising money to expand our grant-making program. So all the money we raise today will go into that fund that gives out grants,” Newby said.

Organizations can apply for funding from the foundation if they have health and wellness projects around the Gogebic Range, Newby explained.

The foundation gave out a total of $39,141 in grants in 2018, according to the foundation’s annual report. These included everything from helping fund the health expo at the Brian Nasi Memorial Hear Run/Walk and mobile food deliveries to funding the Western UP Healthcare Access Coalition’s Oral Health and Navigator Assistance Program and assisting Gogebic County Emergency Management with emergency community outreach support.

Newby said the money raised Sunday will give the foundation the ability to consider not only a larger number of grants each year but allow for potentially larger grant awards as well.