Benzie Friends Drop-in Center

08/27/2026

Benzie Friends Campout 2026! Swimming, marshmallows, scavenger hunts, live music, & late night laughs! A great time!

08/04/2026

The Benzie Friends know how to have a good time! The Platte River in Sleeping Bear Dunes was great today, the water was perfect and we enjoyed swimming, rock hounding and a nice picnic. Yay for summer!

07/27/2026

Our group enjoyed the free kite flying event in Frankfort on Saturday! Having fun things like this to look forward to is good for mental health!

07/10/2026

Who remembers when Arysa and Eric dressed as eachother for Halloween? 😆

07/07/2026

We will miss you Sara 💓

Sara Anne (Piersma) Wilkey passed away on June 15, 2026, at the age of 53. She was born in Miami, Florida, and moved to Grand Rapids by the age of 3. While growing up there, she attended Garfield Park Christian Reformed Church. She graduated in 1991 from Kent Occupational High School and even earned her driver’s license. However, after a few notorious test drives after church in the family vehicle, her father would not allow her to own a vehicle. After graduation, Sara worked at Calvin College while living in her own apartment. She was always independent, always had a job, and carried herself with a stubborn determination that helped her continually overachieve.

She later moved up north with her parents and worked at Shop n Save as a greeter and bagger for more than 10 years. Because of an error in the state’s paperwork over the course of 11 years, she later received a credit that enabled her to purchase a home in Benzonia, where she lived on her own and continued to show her strong independence.

Sara championed the formation of the Benzie Bus and served on the Board of Directors to help initiate the program. She also participated with Representative Ray Franz and Senator Darwin Booher in the “Take Your Legislator to Work” campaign. She later traveled to different parts of Michigan, including the state capital, as a motivational speaker. Her slogan was “Dare to be Different.” She was always involved in Special Olympics and remembered meeting presidents fondly. She also took part in many other social programs in Benzie County, including the drop-in center in Benzonia, Manistee Friendship Society, and Benzie County Special Olympics. Wherever she went, Sara was quick to make friends, and her ability to remember small details about the people she met showed what a caring listener she was.

Sara first met her husband in grade school and held a deep friendship with him throughout school, but after they graduated from high school, they lost contact. In 2017, they reunited on Facebook and were married in 2019.
Sara would light up a room with her smile and laugh. She was the most positive and joyful person around and despite her disability, she lived a very full, rich life with purpose.

She is survived by husband Duane Wilkey, brothers Ben (Abbie) Piersma, and Josh (Kelly) Piersma, nieces and nephews; Matt (Kacey) Piersma, Joanna Piersma, Sam Piersma, Naomi Piersma, Lucas Piersma, and Laraine Piersma.

A service will be held Saturday July 11th at Jowett Family Funeral Home in Benzonia at 3:00 pm with a visitation one hour prior.

07/03/2026

We had a fun picnic today at the Beulah Beach with all the good things, a giant sub from East Shore Deli, ice cream from Hilltop, corn hole, bingo, and minute to win it games. We had a great day! Happy 4th of July! ❤️💥❤️

07/02/2026

Happy 4th a couple days early from your friends at the drop in center!

07/01/2026

Please consider stopping down to Beulah Beach Pavilion tomorrow 7/2 for our annual holiday picnic! Serving strawberry shortcake compliments of Mills Community House, Hilltop Ice Cream and The Market Basket. Plenty for everyone! Serving at 12:30pm!

06/27/2026

Did you know that the Benzie Drop-in Center has a weekly community food pantry? We are a member of the Northwest Michigan Food Coalition. While we focus on supporting those that have mental health challenges, we do provide food to anyone in need, every Wednesday. Call us at 231-383-4300 for details!

06/27/2026

Saturdays are awesome as we enjoy Tai Chi on the beach in Frankfort with Jackie Hice. What a way to start the day! 💓