Ward and Eis Gallery in Petoskey continued a tradition of charitable giving with recent donations to local nonprofit organizations totaling $21,000. Pictured at the donation presentation are (from left) Kathy Goodwin, manager of Ward and Eis; Michael Walker, The Nehemiah Project; Amanda Thompson, Health Department of Northwest Michigan; Gail Kloss, Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan; Kim Baker, The Manna Food Project; Denneen Smith, Friendship Centers of Emmet County; Jama Moffett, The Petoskey Club; Jennifer Eis owner of Ward and Eis and Lisa Ross, Ward and Eis team member.

Six local non-profit organizations gathered at Ward and Eis Gallery for a chance to reflect on the past year and reenergize for the year ahead. The program has a philanthropic intention that has been woven into the everyday fabric of this peaceful gallery located in downtown Petoskey.

Don Ward and Jennifer Eis began a charitable giving program 34 years ago when they opened their East Lake Street gallery featuring Native American jewelry, leather goods and art. Their first year in business resulted in a $698 donation to a local nonprofit. Over the years their business thrived and their donation program grew to support several area non-profits that serve people in need of sustenance, shelter and the support that strengthens mind, body and spirit.

Store donations are the result of 3% of annual sales and 20% of Thanksgiving and Christmas benefits, as well as 100% of the proceeds of the book Magpie Papers co-authored by Ward and Eis.

During 2017, this formula generated $21,000 which was divided between the six organizations: Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM), $4,500; The Manna Food Project, $3,500; Friendship Centers, $3,000; The Nehemiah Project, $3,500; Petoskey Club, $3,000; and Health Department of Northwest Michigan, $3,500.

To date, Ward and Eis Gallery has donated at total of $436,000 back to the community.

Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan has been a part of the Ward and Eis giving program for 30 years. The organization’s Executive Director, Gail Kloss, said, “The commitment of Ward and Eis to community philanthropy is remarkable. Jennifer and Don are role models for other businesses interested in the concept of Conscious Capitalism. This type of social responsibility enriches the business climate, the experience of the owner, staff and customers and advances the human quality of life in our community.”

Although Don Ward walked over from his earthly presence in the fall of 2016, Eis is intent on continuing the giving program. She said it represents the common threads she saw woven through Ward’s life: authenticity, intentionality, and reciprocity. The other continuing thread in the life of both Don Ward and Jennifer Eis is deceptively simple: do your best in every situation.

Eis closed the donation presentation with a favorite quote, “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Eis said she and her dedicated gallery staff fully intend to grasp the threads of this beautiful, benevolent tapestry and continue to weave strength and kindness into the lives of others.

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