Women's Group Warms East Jordan Families

Children and families throughout East Jordan will be warm in their beds this winter, thanks to the kindness of the Charlevoix County Democrats' Women for Democracy Coffee Group. The members donated more than $2,500 worth of new blankets, sleeping bags, sheets, fleece throws, pillows and slippers to OPERATION BLANKET today. Suzanne Skubick, of East Jordan coordinated the effort.

OPERATION BLANKET, in its second year, grew out of the community's Secret Santa program, said East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce President Mary Faculak.  It started when the Secret Santa organizers noticed too many children were asking not for toys, but for basic necessities like sheets and blankets in their letters to Santa.

The blankets are available in the lobby of the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 26 (1-5 p.m.), Nov. 1 (4:30-7 p.m.), and Nov. 2 (1-5 p.m.) Families and children can come in and simply, and discreetly, select what they need. 

David Schweer, Operation Blanket organizer, joins Suzanne Skubick of the Charlevoix County Women’s Group.

Women’s Group volunteers display their contributions to East Jordan families.

"There is no judgement," said Faculak. "Anyone is welcome." She said items that aren't chosen go to special supply rooms in local schools that stock free items for area young people who need them. 

This is the second year that the Women's Coffee Group has organized a charitable effort. In 2023, the group raised more than $1,000 in food and cash to make sure Charlevoix children -- who don't receive hot lunches over Christmas vacation -- had healthy food and snacks to take home with them so they wouldn't go hungry.

From Tracy Ward and Sue Stockman