Courtesy photo Meat & Greet attendees are seen participating in the recent meat raffle fundraiser held at Player’s Pub & Grub. Funds raised will go towards the purchase of a new vascular ultrasound machine for MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.

ALPENA — Meat & Greet, a meat raffle fundraiser hosted by the MyMichigan Health Foundation Alpena Annual Support Committee, recently brought community members together at Player’s Pub & Grub for an evening of fun and philanthropy, according to a MyMichigan Health press release.

MyMichigan Health stated that the event combined laughter, friendly competition, and fast‒paced raffle excitement, all while raising funds for the purchase of a new vascular ultrasound machine for MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Thanks to the generosity of the more than 60 people in attendance, this year’s Meat & Greet fundraiser raised more than $3,000.

According to the release, guests enjoyed rapid‒fire raffle ticket pulls that offered repeated opportunities to win an assortment of meat, featuring a wide range of cuts, sizes, and selections, which in part, was donated by Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe and Plath’s Meats. Player’s Pub & Grub donated four large pork roasts and raffled off a free drink at the end of each round. The upbeat atmosphere created a memorable experience for both first‒time participants and long-time supporters.

Funds raised through Meat & Greet will help equip the vascular department at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena with state‒of‒the‒art ultrasound technology, MyMichigan Health stated. Vascular ultrasound is a critical, noninvasive imaging tool that allows clinicians to evaluate blood flow and accurately identify blockages, clots, and other vascular conditions. This technology plays a role in diagnosing conditions such as aneurysms, deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins and atherosclerosis, supporting faster diagnoses, earlier interventions, and improved patient outcomes.

The event was open to the public and free to attend for anyone at the pub or interested in supporting local health care, the release stated. Player’s Pub & Grub offered its full menu for purchase throughout the night, along with their evening special of pierogies.

Ann Diamond, development director for MyMichigan Health Foundation, said the success of the event highlights the strength of community partnerships and shared commitment to high‒quality care close to home.

“We were thrilled to partner with Player’s Pub & Grub to host Meat & Greet this year. I cannot thank Jodi, Jen, Ben, and the rest of Player’s staff enough for their support,” Diamond said in the release. “Their generosity along with the enthusiasm and participation of everyone who attended helped make the event a great success! By supporting this fundraiser, community members are helping ensure patients and providers have access to advanced medical tools they rely on every day, strengthening cardiovascular care for our entire region. We are so grateful to all who participated and hoped everyone had as much fun as we did!”

Those interested in learning more about the Annual Support Committee or donating to the vascular ultrasound machine for MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena may contact Diamond at ann.diamond@mymichigan.org or (989) 356‒7738.