Harbor Country Mission in Bridgman is launching a capital campaign to support the paving of its parking lot.
The mission, which takes donations of used household goods and then provides to those in need, is located at 9600 Red Arrow Highway in Bridgman and serves hundreds of people each month. But Director Kelly Boersma tells us since opening, they’ve had an unpaved and often-pothole-ridden parking lot.
“We have a lot of people that inquire like, ‘When are you gonna pave this lot?’ Because it is quite an adventure when you get here,” Boersma said. “And the ice and the snow, and like today with the mix — the rain — it’s very tricky for a lot of our customers and clients.”
Boersma says after talking internally, organizers of the mission decided it’s time to ask supporters for help raising the money needed to pave the lot. They’ve already got one substantial donor, and now the goal is to raise $60,000. A campaign providing people ways to support the project is just getting started.
“We are definitely launching a button on our Facebook page where they can do that. You will have very big posters everywhere. A lot of our supporters in this area — we will definitely have those out where they can use a QR code.”
The project will involve about 12,000 square feet of asphalt paving, site preparation, grading, drainage improvements, and ADA-compliant accessible striping. Boersma says when all is said and done, the mission will be an even more welcoming place to come for those looking to help others or seeking a little help themselves.
Since the mission started, it’s given away more than 1 million items, including 30 cars, and helped more than 100 people escape homelessness. You can learn more at HarborCountryMission.org.
Photo: Harbor Country Mission’s Dave Heyn announces the project on Facebook.
