What’s Happening
Wood shop dust collection system (picture 1) student wood shop products (pictures 2-9)
Standing (l to r): kevin mcgilvery, taylor chapman, rick kursik & tom koryciak
kneeling: austin dixon & will caron
Carman Cougar Charities Corporation Middle School Laundry Initiative July, 2023
As a part of our overall mission, the Carman Cougar Charities Corporation (CCCC) continues to strive to meet the educational and environmental needs of the students and staff of the Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools (CACS). Recently we were made aware of special needs for many of the district’s students in that they do not have regular access to personal laundry capabilities. Without clean clothing on a regular basis, the student’s attendance, participation and social interaction may be negatively impacted. The CCCC worked with the CACS administration to identify a specific need within the district’s middle school. The CCCC teamed with the middle school administration and the district’s maintenance team to provide laundry capabilities within the middle school including washer, dryer and laundry supplies. The washer & dryer were provided through the generous donation of Woody Bucherie, Carman class of 1971. The laundry is overseen by a member of the middle school staff and is available for student use only during designated hours. The CCCC keeps the laundry supplied through an extension of the Cougar Closet initiative.
During the implementation of the middle school project, it was uncovered that several of the other schools in the district have similar needs. It is our intent to provide laundry facilities and capabilities to all the district’s schools in priority sequence over time. This, of course, will be dependent upon available funding. The CCCC is always in need of additional funding and donations to meet the needs of the students within the district. If you would like to follow Woody’s lead and contribute to future Laundry initiatives you may contribute directly on our website or mail your donation to the Carman Cougar Charities Corporation at 11323 Princewood Cr., Fenton, MI 48430. Any dollar donation will help us meet our goals in this important initiative.
Band Camp Scholarship Initiative September 2022
During the summer of 2022, the Carman Cougar Charities Corporation (CCCC) was contacted by the Middle School Band Director via the Cougar Closet initiative. The Director let the CCCC know that they hold an annual band camp and often some of the band participants do not have the funds necessary to attend the camp. Traditionally scholarships have been provided for students in need. The band had recently lost some of the previously available funding and required help to provide the number of scholarships needed in 2022. After a successful year of fund raising and through the generosity of the many donors who support the CCCC, the charity was able to step-up and fill the funding gap. The results of this new initiative were impressive; a total of $1500 was providing allowing 7 students to receive scholarships ranging from $200 to $300. The CCCC received a wonderful thank-you note from the Band Boosters organization which stated the efforts of the CCCC were “truly above and beyond”. The CCCC plans on continuing the scholarship program in 2023.
It is through the generosity and support of all our donors and volunteers that the CCCC is able to fulfill these types of needs within the Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools. Thank you!