Helpful Hotspot

11/15/2025

❄️48 Beautiful, brand new, warm, water and wind resistant winter jackets for kids in need were donated today by the Knights of Columbus organization.
🎄They are so nice and would make great Christmas gifts!
🖤They are adult sizes small - XL, but the adult small would definitely fit an older elementary student.
🎁If you know of anyone who can’t afford a new jacket for their child, please reach out via messenger to set up a time to get one!
🧤We might even have a hat and gloves in the hotspot to go with them.
🏂☃️⛸️ We want all kids warm this winter and ready for fun in the snow!

11/14/2025

🎁 Do you know a Manistique family with a child or children ages 12-18 who could use a little help this Christmas?
🪖The Women’s Veterans Association and The Helpful Hotspot would love to help a limited number of students in grades 6–12 this holiday season.
🎄If your family is not already receiving/planning to receive gifts from other programs (such as Toys for Schoolcraft County, Salvation Army, Hope Project, DHHS, or a Church Adopt-a-Family) and you’re unsure how you’ll cover gifts for your tween or teen this year, we may be able to help!
Each student will receive a gift in some or all of these categories, depending on budget and number of people needing assistance:
✨ Something they want
✨ Something they need
✨ Something to wear
✨ Something to read
❤️If you’re interested, please send me a private message for more details.
Let’s make sure every tween and teen feels remembered and cared for this holiday season.
⬆️If you have an elementary aged (11 and under) child or younger, please be sure to access resources through any of the aforementioned agencies.
💚If you want to donate towards helping a child or family, message me about that as well.

11/12/2025

If you have children up to age 17 and need assistance with Christmas gifts for them, please join the Toys for Schoolcraft Countylcraft County page and read the yellow highlighted information below for how to sign up.
They will also be giving away Christmas decorations at Lake Effect Art Gallery on Nov 22nd from 12 to 4 for anyone that wants/needs them.
Please share to get the word out!
❤️💚

10/23/2025

🎃Join in on the fun and benefit the Helpful Horspot!!
👻 Dress in costume for a fun packed family friendly event including trick or treating throughout participating businesses, witnessing the Monster Mash, and filling your skeletour passport!
📍Skeletour passports can be picked up for a donation to the Helpful Hotspot at Bostique and The Mill.
📍Completed passports will be entered in to win gift baskets sponsored by Manistique Merchants.

08/13/2025

💚New shoes are arriving, clothing has been sorted, laundry Is being done in our new washer and dryer, the Hotspot is being cleaned and volunteers are stepping up to help with next week’s back to school event.
💚It’s going to be amazing!
💚If you want to VOLUNTEER there is still a week to do so and many jobs to be done.
💚Please reach out to me via messenger with questions or to find out how to help.
💚Thanks to all who have contributed in some way already—either through donations of clothing, new shoes, school supplies, money, gift cards, Kohl’s cash or TIME.
❤️🧡💛

08/08/2025

08/05/2025

💚 NEW FOR 2025! You can now pre-register your family for the Gear UP Gala - Back to School event by filling out the attached form.
⏳Anyone that pre-registers will get into the "fast lane" at the new shoe station and will not have to wait in the registration line.
Please take a minute to sign-up now if you are planning to attend on the 20th and it will potentially save you time that evening.
⭐️ Remember this event is for students in grades pre-k through 12. Students must be present with a parent or guardian to get the items.

Date: Wednesday, August 20th The I ❤️ Manistique event at First Baptist Church where students can get a new backpack, school supplies and families can get a hot dog dinner (5:00 - 7:00) 💇‍♀️ Haircuts provided at The Cutting Crew by local stylists (5:00 - 7:00) 🧡 New Shoes, hygiene it...

08/02/2025

💚The 2nd Annual Gear UP Gala -Back to School Event is coming soon! (8/20/25)💚

🤲🏻 Interested in helping? There are so many ways to get involved—check out all of the opportunities below to support this beautiful cause! 💖

Your support, no matter how big or small, might help to restore dignity to a child, lift the burden from a struggling parent, or offer the simple but powerful gifts of kindness, hope, and a helping hand to those who need it most.

Let’s make 2025 even more unforgettable. Let’s GEAR UP together to help our kids start the school year strong.

Have questions or want to chat more? Reach out anytime!
📞 906-286-3521 or message me on Facebook Messenger

07/30/2025

Hopefully this will help parents to plan ahead and budget!

06/28/2025

Thank you to
Kiwanis - Manistique Area, Schone Chiropractic, & Roemer Electric for your generous donations to the Gear Up Gala -
Back to School Event.
We appreciate your support!

06/19/2025

❤️Limestone Financial Credit Union has generously volunteered to be a drop off site for:
new or gently used backpacks,
🎒school supplies✏️ and new tennis shoes 👟for the Gear Up Gala back to school event. ❤️

06/17/2025

Nicolet Bank has generously volunteered to be the summer drop off spot for Hotspot Clothing donations. 👖👚👕🧦
If you’re doing summer closet cleaning, please consider gifting it to another child/family in need. 💗