The Chelsea Community Foundation (CCF) is looking deeper into the specific needs that have arisen as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic within the Chelsea Community. CCF’s initial response earlier this spring included emergency grants to 11 community non-profits. The Board recently approved new grants to Chelsea Area Festivals & Events (CAFE) and WAVE.
CCF had been considering making a grant to support CAFE’s 2020 Summer Season namely Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights and the Sounds & Sights Summer Festival. However, these two major events have been canceled for this year and the organization is still incurring real costs. One of the events that CAFE is able to continue to promote is the 2020-2021 SculptureWalk Chelsea exhibit. The new round of sculptures will be installed late spring. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, CAFE hosts the festivals that are funded through sponsorships and donations. The festival proceeds fund the free summer season for Sounds & Sights on Thursday Nights. The events draw thousands of visitors each year, and would not be possible without the support of local businesses, non-profits, and many, many volunteers in the community.
The second grant is being provided to Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) who recently furloughed staff members due to the Covid-19 crisis. The only bus program operating now is to transport dialysis patients to their appointments three times a week. The staff was furloughed because it is unsafe in small buses and vans to transport riders without protection for drivers. Large buses have rear/side doors for passengers to enter but small buses do not. The grant is to assist with the cost of fabricating a Plexiglas cockpit around the driver station to separate the driver from passengers in order to get drivers back to work. Board Member Peter Heydlauff shared, “These are two excellent additions to our grants in support of our Community especially during this time of need”.
Chelsea Community Foundation relies on the generosity of donors in the Chelsea area to realize its mission. Donors who are interested in supporting this effort and other evolving needs are encouraged to do so by contacting Randy Ross, rross@cfsem.org or 313.961.6675, ext 118 or visit www.chelseafound.org.
The Chelsea Community Foundation has been providing financial support to nonprofit organizations through a wide variety of activities benefiting education, arts, and culture, enrichment programs for children and seniors, training for caregivers, outdoor trails in the community, leadership development, capacity building, health and human services, community development, and civic affairs.