Don Ward (right) and Jennifer Eis (second from right) continue a tradition of charitable giving with recent donations to local nonprofit organizations totaling $20,500. Pictured at the donation presentation are (from left) Niki Kenny, recently retired from the Community Free Clinic; Jama Moffett, Petoskey Club; Mike Walker, Nehemiah Project; Howard Beck, Community Free Clinic; Sue Engle, Friendship Centers; Jan Mancinelli, Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan; Deb Noblett, Manna Food Project; Eis and Ward.

Six local non-profit organizations gathered at Ward and Eis Gallery in Petoskey for a chance to reflect, reminisce, refresh and receive annual donations provided by gallery owners Don Ward and Jennifer Eis.

Ward and Eis began the charitable giving program 30 years ago with a single donation in the amount of $698. It has expanded to include a total of 18 local organizations over the years with a grand total of $326,000 donated.
Although they began by choosing various non-profits each year, they eventually agreed to settle on six to consistently support on an annual basis.

The donations provided are the result of 2% of annual sales and 20% of Thanksgiving and Christmas weekend sales benefits, as well as 100% of the proceeds of the book Magpie Papers co-authored by Ward and Eis.

During 2013, this formula generated $20,500 which was divided between the six organizations as: Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM), $4,500; Manna Food Project, $3,500; Friendship Centers, $3,000; Nehemiah Project, $3,000; Petoskey Club, $3,000; and Petoskey Free Clinic, $3,500. Some of these organizations have been funded for 26 consecutive years, such as the WRCNM and Manna, however all six have been receiving funding for at least 12 years with total contributions of $227,574.

“The continuity and commitment of their charitable giving is to be commended,” said Jan Mancinelli, Executive Director of the WRCNM. “Don and Jennifer have built their business and their lives with intention and truly believe that what you put into life is probably where you’ll end up.”

Prior to the donation presentation, representatives from each of the six non-profits were invited to sit in a circle in the back of the gallery; the circle representing the oldest and strongest shape, one that gives a sense of purpose. Eis explained that if one organization were to leave the circle, it would create a hole because each makes a valuable contribution to the community.

The group reflected on where they were 30 years ago. That was the year Ward and Eis decided to begin a retail venture without retail experience; armed with a simple business plan that if they put people first (customers and staff) and added high quality products it would equal a profit. Beyond that, they decided to use their own names as the business name so they would be held personally accountable for how they operated the business.

It might be coincidence that Ward and Eis continue to support six local organizations. Yet, for those acquainted with Don Ward and Jennifer Eis, it could have a deeper meaning. Eis explained that the ‘rule of six’ is a way to avoid knee-jerk reactions to various situations by coming up with six ways to solve the dilemma, no matter how improbable. The six non-profits that Don and Jennifer support represent six different ways to successfully solve community needs.

Ward and Eis Gallery is located at 315 East Lake Street, Petoskey and can be reached at 231-347-2750.