07/25/2025
Recently, there has been talk of resurrecting “Friends Of Lyon Township” as one of the founders and a past president, I want to share the following information.
1) FOLT was founded to help the community, Not the township. It was a 501(c)3 non-profit. Through the state of Michigan and Federal government.
2) FOLT created by laws that were approved by the government agencies to obtain the 501 (c)3 Status
3) There were various fundraisers, but our non-profit status only allowed $25,000 a year as non-taxable organization.
4) Donations to FOLT were tax deductible. The funds went back into the community in many ways. It went to parks for the good of the public, these projects were:
• Dog Park shelter and obstacles
• Assist in playground construction in community builds.
• Lyon Township Library
• Wreaths Across America Project, with AM-Vets
• Toys for Tots project
• Bambi Lake to Help with handicap access
• Individuals that needed emergency assistance.
5) FOLT had 8-10 members for many years, always trying to interest new members. Unfortunately, unable to get new volunteers as the average raised to the upper 70’s
6) FOLT had a Liaison to the township, but township employees were unable to join due to a “conflict of interest”. This included anyone that was on different committees for the township such as Parks and Rec and Planning commission.
7) FOLT voted to dissolve because of the lack of younger members and their members were having a hard time with fundraisers.
8) After talking with previous members, we came to the consensus that we prefer FOLT not be resurrected. The fear is that people will be donating on false pretenses.
