Courtesy Photo Black Lake Preservation Society was one of the recipients of a grant from the Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op Communities First Fund.

Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op members continue giving generously through their voluntary round-up of change on their electric and natural gas billings to assist area community organizations and individuals.

These member contributions to the PIE&G Communities First Fund enable grants and scholarshipsin their local communities within PIE&G’s service area.

The PIE&G Communities First Fund board of directors recently awarded a total of $23,372 in grants to recipients below.

Alpena County

¯ Alpena Area Senior Citizens Council Inc. — $1,100 to purchase nutritional supplements for the Liquid Nutrition Program for frail, homebound, and the most nutritionally at-risk seniors participating in the Alpena County Meals on Wheels program. The grant will be distributed equally among the 11 participating seniors. The mission of the Alpena Senior Citizens Council is to promote and protect the dignity, independence, and welfare of older adults living in Alpena County.

¯ Long Rapids Township Volunteer Fire Department — $2,500 to aid in the purchase of an onsite air tank pressure unit (Cascade system) to be installed at the emergency facility, capable of quickly refilling and pressurizingself-contained breathing apparatus to full capacity so resources are quickly available when needed by the firefighters.

¯ Thunder Bay River Restoration Inc. — $2,543 for equipment purchases for the Thunder Bay River Restoration Improvement Project, including three chain saws, four life vests, one life-saving throw ring, two winch cables and two gallons of chain saw fuel. The group strives to keep the channel open by cleaning up fallen trees and debris, such as the stretch between the James Road access in Green Township and the Herron Road Bridge in Maple Ridge Township.

Cheboygan/Presque Isle County

¯ Black Lake Preservation Society — $300 for signage and brochures regarding their Invasive Species Education, Prevention & Control Program. The BLPS produced informational brochures to increase awareness of invasive species (mussels, weeds, and other marine plants and animals) and signs which were placed at locations around Black Lake, including at the boat launch in Onaway State Park.

Montmorency County

¯ Brush Creek Mill — $323 toward the purchase of a new computer and monitor. The existing computer is failing and outdated. The all-volunteer organization relies on the computer to conduct operations, including accounting, maintaining membership database, preparing meeting minutes andmarketing materials, managing the gift shop consignment program and the video history project, and for archiving records.

¯ Hillman Area Senior Citizens, Inc. — $1,500 toward the furnace replacement project at the Hillman Senior Center. The HASC Center has been in operation for 38 years and hosts a variety of events. It is also used to prepare and serve meals both on site and for delivery to homebound seniors.

¯ Hillman United Methodist Church — $700 to purchase school supplies and hygiene products for the Back to School Bash. At this one-day event, the church gives school supplies and hygiene products, and provides other services such as eye exams and haircuts to children returning to school. For seven years running, the Back to School Bash has grown from helping 32 children the first year to 141 last year. The event helps to alleviate the financial stress on families in need as the school year begins.

¯ Lewiston Downtown Development Authority — $750 for the purchase of craft supplies (paintable fall ceramics) for the Lewiston Fall Fest. The Lewiston Fall Fest is a free event promoting family bonding and development. Every child receives a free pumpkin and goodie bag. Family activities include hayrides, a petting zoo, a hay maze, pumpkin bowling, craft projects, a balloon artist, and musical entertainment. The event is this Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. downtown.

¯ Montmorency County 4-H Fair Association — $705.50 for campground electrical service upgrades to enable families to use water heaters, air conditioners and space heaters in their campers while attending the fair. The improvements will make the 25 campsites safer and expand comfort options.

¯ Village of Hillman — $500 to purchase sand to build new horseshoe pits at Emerick Park. The Emerick Park Horseshoe Pit Project was formed to construct professional horseshoe pits that meet National Horseshoe Pitchers Association standards so that tournaments can be hosted at Emerick Park. The pits will also be available for public use.

Oscoda

¯ Together We Can Food Pantry — $2,400 to purchase a two-month supply of food from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan for the Together We Can Food Distribution project. The pantry distributes food to residents of Oscoda County and serves, on average, 193 three households or approximately 420 people each month.

Presque Isle County

¯ Presque Isle Township — $2,780 to assist the Presque Isle Fire Department in purchasing four Mustang Ice Commander Rescue Suits. The Presque Isle Fire Department serves Long Lake and Grand Lake and the rescue suits allow the department to be prepared with the necessary equipment to perform emergency ice or water rescues.

¯ Peace Lutheran Church — $1,000 to purchase personal hygiene items for the Peace Hygiene Pantry. The pantry is open every third Monday of the month and gives away about 40 to 50 bags of hygiene supplies such as shampoo, bar soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, toilet paper, laundry soap, and dish soap to about 100 people (adults and children).

¯ Rogers City Area Schools — $1,500 to purchase six Wright Foam Plyo Cubes for the Weight Room Project. Additional equipment and improvements will accommodate students in a class or a team so all are able to use the equipment during the session or practice. The new exercise equipment will help students focus on their physical health.

¯ Rogers City Community Theatre — $500 to cover the cost of costumes for the Junior Summer Jamboree titled “Lions, Panthers and Pumbaas — Oh My!” project. The jamboree is a three-day workshop in which students ages eight to 17 participate in the Summer Youth Theatre program. Taught by professional actors and musicians, the program increases confidence and improves conflict resolution and team building skills. The RCCT cast approximately 20 to 30 youth in the Junior Summer Jamboree, and held rehearsals the following eight weeks leading up to the performance of”The Lion King Jr.”

Headquartered in Onaway, PIE&G provides electric and natural gas service to about 30,850 member-owners across northeast Michigan. PIE&G is one of the largest employers in Presque Isle County, with 77 employees servicing about 33,500 electric meters and nearly 13,500 natural gas meters. Since 1997, the PIE&G Communities First Fund has provided over $1.56 million in grants to local nonprofits.