For 101 years running, a dedicated group of women in the community of Michigan's Great Southwest has worked diligently to aid the children of the region. What started out in 1915 by just 15 women working to assist the local children's home at Chapin Hall, has evolved into a full blown support group identifying themselves as the Child & Family Services Auxiliary, and they are as engaged as ever in helping our children. You can play a role in that help by enjoying their annual Ice Cream Social during the Krasl Art Fair weekend.
The auxiliary group now sports 45 active and 18 associate members, and this year they are moving their wildly popular Ice Cream Social to the Sunday of the Krasl Art Fair instead of the traditional Saturday event. Coming Sunday, July 10th from 10:30am until 5:30pm, the tradition of selling homemade slices of cakes or pies served with ice cream on the shady veranda of the Whitcomb Senior Living Facility across from the Maids of the Mist Fountain in Lake Bluff Park in St. Joseph will continue. It provides a relaxed setting for a break while visiting the art fair.
Best of all, 100-percent of the tax deductible contributions of local businesses and the money raised through Ice Cream Social ticket sales go directly to Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan, Inc. The non-profit agency relies solely on grants and public and private donations to fulfill its mission.
Last year alone the agency served more than 1,198 individuals in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties through several agencies including:
- THE SAFE SHELTER offers emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, job training and outreach services to survivors of intimate partner domestic violence.
- HARBOR HOUSE AND AUTUMN HOUSE ADULT SERVICE provides day services for adults with Alzheimers, Dementia, and other physical impairments. It provides activities with medical oversight while their care givers receive a break from the 24/7 care of a loved one.
- HELPING HANDS ADULT HOME CARE SERVICES helps elderly and physically challenged people continue living in their own homes rather than having long term institutional care.
- WEST MICHIGAN GUARDIANSHIP offers conservatorship, guardianship, representative payee, and power of attorney services to individuals who cannot manage without assistance.
Again, for those who are regulars, please keep in mind that the Ice Cream Social event has moved to Sunday, July 10th instead of the usual Saturday line up.
