June 17, 2010

Match Day

$100,000 available if $200,000 raised today

Some camp to get first crack at a share of funds

BY JARED SEYMOUR

DAILY NEWS  CORRESPONDENT

Members of area non-profit organizations showed their commitment Wednesday, through the night and into this morning by camping in front of the Ludington Area Center for the Arts to be first in line for Match Day money. "We want a share of the funds from Community Foundation," said Sylvia Shrauger, a board member at C.O.V.E., Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters. The Community Foundation for Mason County is matching 50 percent of the money organizations get in donations  -  giving up to $100,000 total  -  at the arts center today in the community's first Match Day.

The Ludington Area Center for the Arts was first to get some funds, as it was the host

of the event, but COVE was second to receive Match Day money thanks to high school student and volunteer Georgionna Waite, who grabbed the spot for second place at 7 a.m.Wednesday. By 10 p.m. Memorial Medical Center, Andre' Bosse Centers, and Mason County Triad had a spot in line. Representatives of other organizations arrived early this morning. Chairs and tables were set up on a small patch of grass in front of the center. Pizza and fruit sat on the table. The campers brought pillows and blankets for the evening, and entertainment such as books, laptop computers, and iPods.

Most campers were in for the long haul, not receiving a break until 7 a.m., when the next representative replaced them. Georgionna Waite held a spot in line for COVE for nearly 24 hours, with a small break to get something to eat. She was accompanied by her sister Cristine, friend Nick Duel, and bunny Indiana Jones. "We're really tired, but it's fun," Cristine Waite said. The three stayed in line all night, finally being released at 7 this morning. COVE plans on using funds from Match Day for programs and maintenance of the shelter it operates for women and children who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or who are homeless.

Lena Blohm was in line for the Andre Bosse Centers from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. She brought work to do during the long wait. Paula Estle stayed the night for Mason County Triad. Her husband, David, kept her company for some of the night. Not every person in line was stuck waiting the night out.

Memorial Medical Center came with a game plan. "We’ve been working on Match Day plans for weeks," Barb Henion, representing Memorial Medical Center, said. "We've had great support." Memorial Medical Center had volunteers take shifts in covering their place in line, with 10 shifts total. "It's for a good cause," Lisa Morrill, MMC employee, said. Lisa covered the fourth shift. "You get to meet people too." Memorial Medical Center is raising money for a patient room renovation project that will provide a number of private rooms for patients.

Not only did the organizations compete for a spot in line  - fearing they would miss out on the match if they arrived too late  -  the Foundation held a competition for the amount of funds raised.The organization with the most money in donations earns an extra $1,000. Match money is being awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Any single donation will be matched to a maximum of $1,500 and any organization is limited to a maximum total match of $10,000. Any money received in excess of matchable funds will be sent to the designated organization without matching funds.

Mike Oakes, foundation executive director, said 810 donors had been recorded by 10:30 a.m. He said fund totals and how they would be distributed would not be available immediately because of the response. "It's pretty impressive," he said.