Michigan Northern Lights is hosting an evening of music, on Thursday, December 13, for the benefit of two worthy organizations, The Friendship Housing Center and the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan.  From 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., stop in to the Methodist Church on First Street in Gaylord and enjoy cookies, a cup coffee and then help us raise money for these two worthy organizations.  Your donation is all that is required to enjoy this wonderful evening of entertainment.

Local musicians are stepping up to perform for the 2nd annual “Cookies for a Cause”.  The evening will showcase the talents of the Harmonie Meisters, Infan8 Praise, the quartet, Light Hearted, Jim Akans and Ethan Akans, as well as, The Nightshades, Grace and Rebecca Olsen on their flutes, and the Michigan Northern Lights.  

The Friendship Housing Center struggles to provide for those who have fallen on hard times and are unable to afford housing in our community. A recent article in the paper noted that an hourly wage of at least $12   is needed to afford the rent in the surrounding areas.  It is well known that there are few jobs that pay this wage in Otsego County.  Life sometimes places families in situations where huge medical bills, sudden job loss or other traumatic life events takes away the ability to afford a house or apartment. Government assistance for this program is rapidly being reduced and housing centers are desperately struggling to provide for those in need.

The Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan also provides a variety of programs and services for women, children and families in the region, including survivors of domestic abuse and their children.  A significant percentage of homeless women find themselves in crisis due to domestic violence.    The WRCNM provides a safe haven for these families.   A recent letter to the Herald Times written by Chris Krajewski of the WRCNM relates that survivors of domestic abuse may come from highly controlled relationships and often the lack resources to leave the home they share with an abuser.  Currently, in the United States, 37,000 survivors and their children live in shelters or transitional housing. The WRCNM provides support, counseling and safe shelter for survivors, free of charge.  

The Michigan Northern Lights, along with this group of talented musicians, extends this invitation to entertain you on December 13 at the Methodist Church on First Street in Gaylord.   Bring a donation for these deserving organizations and enjoy the music and some wonderful cookies!   Stop in for a few minutes or stay for a couple hours and celebrate the giving season!

Michigan Northern Lights Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide singing organization dedicated to the education and performance of four-part a-capella harmony.  They are currently celebrating their tenth anniversary as a part of SIA. The Michigan Northern Lights Chorus is a chapter of the SAI Border Lakes Region 2, which is the only region that spans two countries, having chapters in both the United States and Canada.

The nonprofit group has performed in Gaylord for Alpenfest, the Downtown Christmas Stroll, and at local nursing homes. Other performances in the area have included Victorian Days in West Branch, the Historical Museum in Houghton Lake, Historical Days in Petoskey, and Wellington Farms in Grayling.