(Ed. Note: This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization, Visit the newsroom online: bridgemi.com.)
By Janelle D. James
Bridge Michigan
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging drivers in the Upper Peninsula to slow down during the fall in summer months when moose are active.
In the past four years, 60 moose have been killed in vehicle collisions, with the most crashes occurring in June, September and October, according to the DNR.
The most recent crash was on June 17, when a female moose was killed by a vehicle on U.S. 141 in northern Iron County.
While no known human fatalities have been linked to moose-vehicle collisions in Michigan, Tyler Petroelje, the DNR’s northern Michigan wildlife research specialist, warns that the risk is high when a vehicle traveling 55 to 65 mph collides with a 1,000-pound moose.
“Moose pose a unique crash hazard in the Upper Peninsula that isn’t seen in lower Michigan,” Alicia Sledge, director of the state’s Office of Highway Safety Planning, said in a press statement. “Residents and tourists driving in the Upper Peninsula should exercise caution when traveling in moose country.”
So far in 2025, six moose have died in vehicle collisions.
The highest number of moose killed in similar incidents in a single year was 20 in 2022.
Wildlife officials say one factor behind the rise in collisions may be that the western Upper Peninsula’s core moose herd has gradually moved south over the past 10 to 15 years in search of suitable habitat.
Most moose-vehicle collisions have happened on a few short sections of state or federal highways within the region spanning southern Baraga County, eastern Iron County, and southwestern Marquette County.
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Signs remind drivers: Slow for moose
Over the years, the DNR has partnered with the Michigan Department of Transportation to install or replace moose-crossing signs on Upper Peninsula highways.
Earlier signs featured a moose image but were often stolen, so the current signs now read simply “Moose Crossing.” About six of these signs are currently posted along U.S. Highway 41, M-95 and U.S. 141, where moose collisions most often occur.
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning urges drivers to stay vigilant, follow animal-crossing signs, reduce speed in these areas and use high-beam or additional lights to improve visibility.
Moose rut, or mating season, occurs in September and October, when male moose are highly active in pursuing female moose.
September sees the highest number of moose-vehicle fatalities, making up 21 percent of all collisions since 1984, followed by June at 19 percent and October at 12 percent.
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What to do after a crash
If you collide with a moose or another large animal, turn on your emergency flashers, remain buckled and move your vehicle to the shoulder. If the vehicle cannot be moved and is blocking traffic, exit carefully and stand well off the road.
Drivers should also contact the DNR’s 24/7 Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at 800-292-7800 promptly so conservation officers can attempt to salvage the moose meat.
The DNR works with local meat processors to grind salvaged moose meat into burgers for donation to help feed those in need. Timing is critical after a moose-vehicle collision, as meat must usually be recovered within a few hours.
“When it’s warm, you’re racing the clock to salvage the meat,” said Sgt. Calvin Smith, a conservation officer for the DNR. “Moose are large and take longer to field dress. You can’t just lift one into a truck by yourself.”
By Janelle D. James
Bridge Michigan
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging drivers in the Upper Peninsula to slow down during the fall in summer months when moose are active.
In the past four years, 60 moose have been killed in vehicle collisions, with the most crashes occurring in June, September and October, according to the DNR.
The most recent crash was on June 17, when a female moose was killed by a vehicle on U.S. 141 in northern Iron County.
While no known human fatalities have been linked to moose-vehicle collisions in Michigan, Tyler Petroelje, the DNR’s northern Michigan wildlife research specialist, warns that the risk is high when a vehicle traveling 55 to 65 mph collides with a 1,000-pound moose.
“Moose pose a unique crash hazard in the Upper Peninsula that isn’t seen in lower Michigan,” Alicia Sledge, director of the state’s Office of Highway Safety Planning, said in a press statement. “Residents and tourists driving in the Upper Peninsula should exercise caution when traveling in moose country.”
So far in 2025, six moose have died in vehicle collisions.
The highest number of moose killed in similar incidents in a single year was 20 in 2022.
Wildlife officials say one factor behind the rise in collisions may be that the western Upper Peninsula’s core moose herd has gradually moved south over the past 10 to 15 years in search of suitable habitat.
Most moose-vehicle collisions have happened on a few short sections of state or federal highways within the region spanning southern Baraga County, eastern Iron County, and southwestern Marquette County.
—————
Signs remind drivers: Slow for moose
Over the years, the DNR has partnered with the Michigan Department of Transportation to install or replace moose-crossing signs on Upper Peninsula highways.
Earlier signs featured a moose image but were often stolen, so the current signs now read simply “Moose Crossing.” About six of these signs are currently posted along U.S. Highway 41, M-95 and U.S. 141, where moose collisions most often occur.
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning urges drivers to stay vigilant, follow animal-crossing signs, reduce speed in these areas and use high-beam or additional lights to improve visibility.
Moose rut, or mating season, occurs in September and October, when male moose are highly active in pursuing female moose.
September sees the highest number of moose-vehicle fatalities, making up 21 percent of all collisions since 1984, followed by June at 19 percent and October at 12 percent.
—————
What to do after a crash
If you collide with a moose or another large animal, turn on your emergency flashers, remain buckled and move your vehicle to the shoulder. If the vehicle cannot be moved and is blocking traffic, exit carefully and stand well off the road.
Drivers should also contact the DNR’s 24/7 Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline at 800-292-7800 promptly so conservation officers can attempt to salvage the moose meat.
The DNR works with local meat processors to grind salvaged moose meat into burgers for donation to help feed those in need. Timing is critical after a moose-vehicle collision, as meat must usually be recovered within a few hours.
“When it’s warm, you’re racing the clock to salvage the meat,” said Sgt. Calvin Smith, a conservation officer for the DNR. “Moose are large and take longer to field dress. You can’t just lift one into a truck by yourself.”
So Little Time, So Much to Enjoy
Jack Payne shows off an 8-point buck that he shot Oct. 7.
Photo courtesy Jack Payne
By Jack Payne
Mid-October and lasting through Nov. 20 is one busy time for me.
I love archery and hunting deer with a gun. I enjoy fall turkey hunting. Fall fishing is at its best. Grouse hunting is a thrill, and waterfowl hunting is tough to beat. Add in a float hunt for squirrels, and you get the picture.
Over the years, I learned to prioritize. The first week of October I spent considerable time archery hunting. Then I scale back a bit and throw in a day or two of fishing. If I fill one buck tag, then more time is allocated towards fishing, fall turkey, and hopefully a waterfowl trip.
In mid-October, the Menominee slowly starts moving towards the piers. In November, the Whitefish will follow suit. Perch start leaving Lake Michigan as the temperatures drop.
I really enjoy fishing the piers. You will meet some diehard and serious anglers. These dudes know their stuff and are most often more than willing to share information.
This is a laidback, relaxing style of fishing. Generally, some type of bait is used. A single egg or a small sac of eggs works well, as will a spike or a wax worm on certain days.
Most often, the best fishing starts north and works itself southward. Whitehall, then Muskegon, Grand Haven, Saugatuck, South Haven, and then St. Joseph. Whitefish peak in late November in Muskegon, and we catch a few in December in Grand Haven.
We talked in detail about perch fishing over the past few weeks. Perch fishing can be a hit-or-miss event. As the water continues to cool, the fishing becomes consistent. Spending time on the water helps, as does watching for a pack of boats.
The best bluegill and crappie fishing of the year starts in October and will last until the lakes freeze over. Trust me, there is no better time to panfish than this time frame.
We enjoyed countless days fishing with snow flurries and skim ice in December. For odd reasons, our fish will either be shallow, like in five feet of water, or in the deepest basin of the lake.
Another pattern that is hard to explain is that in the 25-foot-plus depths, the gills are often two to five feet off the bottom, and the crappie are just below them, hugging the bottom.
When we bow hunt up north, we spend a few hours hunting grouse and woodcock. This is done without a dog. Luckily, we know a few diehard waterfowl hunters, and often we can squeeze into a hunt. Finding good grouse hunting in our area takes effort and more time than I am willing to put forth.
If we hunt around here, we hunt damp locations. We like areas bordering a small creek, an old orchard, or a small clear-cut. I am more apt to hunt a put-and-take pheasant place than search for an isolated grouse area around home.
I mentioned in the past how enjoyable squirrel hunting is. If not for archery hunting, I would spend a lot more time chasing down the bushytails. For pure enjoyment, nothing beats a float trip.
Just think about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. This just might be the most enjoyable hunt of the year. Peaceful, soothing, and productive. Just remember that you can’t shoot an animal that’s on private property and that the hunter in the back of the canoe or manning the oars should not be holding a gun or shooting.
Starting around Oct. 25, my focus shifts back to archery hunting. While I never stopped archery hunting, if I am sitting on two buck tags, then my full attention will shift towards rutting bucks.
Knowing where the does bed down puts you one step closer to a rutting buck. If a buck can travel parallel to a bedding area or a feeding area, the buck will cross the trails of more does in a shorter period of time. Look for a small trail that parallels a feeding or bedding area. As luck turned out, I shot an 8-pointer on Oct. 7.
Fall is a great time to be in the field, and Bob’s Gun and Tackle has you well covered.
Mid-October and lasting through Nov. 20 is one busy time for me.
I love archery and hunting deer with a gun. I enjoy fall turkey hunting. Fall fishing is at its best. Grouse hunting is a thrill, and waterfowl hunting is tough to beat. Add in a float hunt for squirrels, and you get the picture.
Over the years, I learned to prioritize. The first week of October I spent considerable time archery hunting. Then I scale back a bit and throw in a day or two of fishing. If I fill one buck tag, then more time is allocated towards fishing, fall turkey, and hopefully a waterfowl trip.
In mid-October, the Menominee slowly starts moving towards the piers. In November, the Whitefish will follow suit. Perch start leaving Lake Michigan as the temperatures drop.
I really enjoy fishing the piers. You will meet some diehard and serious anglers. These dudes know their stuff and are most often more than willing to share information.
This is a laidback, relaxing style of fishing. Generally, some type of bait is used. A single egg or a small sac of eggs works well, as will a spike or a wax worm on certain days.
Most often, the best fishing starts north and works itself southward. Whitehall, then Muskegon, Grand Haven, Saugatuck, South Haven, and then St. Joseph. Whitefish peak in late November in Muskegon, and we catch a few in December in Grand Haven.
We talked in detail about perch fishing over the past few weeks. Perch fishing can be a hit-or-miss event. As the water continues to cool, the fishing becomes consistent. Spending time on the water helps, as does watching for a pack of boats.
The best bluegill and crappie fishing of the year starts in October and will last until the lakes freeze over. Trust me, there is no better time to panfish than this time frame.
We enjoyed countless days fishing with snow flurries and skim ice in December. For odd reasons, our fish will either be shallow, like in five feet of water, or in the deepest basin of the lake.
Another pattern that is hard to explain is that in the 25-foot-plus depths, the gills are often two to five feet off the bottom, and the crappie are just below them, hugging the bottom.
When we bow hunt up north, we spend a few hours hunting grouse and woodcock. This is done without a dog. Luckily, we know a few diehard waterfowl hunters, and often we can squeeze into a hunt. Finding good grouse hunting in our area takes effort and more time than I am willing to put forth.
If we hunt around here, we hunt damp locations. We like areas bordering a small creek, an old orchard, or a small clear-cut. I am more apt to hunt a put-and-take pheasant place than search for an isolated grouse area around home.
I mentioned in the past how enjoyable squirrel hunting is. If not for archery hunting, I would spend a lot more time chasing down the bushytails. For pure enjoyment, nothing beats a float trip.
Just think about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. This just might be the most enjoyable hunt of the year. Peaceful, soothing, and productive. Just remember that you can’t shoot an animal that’s on private property and that the hunter in the back of the canoe or manning the oars should not be holding a gun or shooting.
Starting around Oct. 25, my focus shifts back to archery hunting. While I never stopped archery hunting, if I am sitting on two buck tags, then my full attention will shift towards rutting bucks.
Knowing where the does bed down puts you one step closer to a rutting buck. If a buck can travel parallel to a bedding area or a feeding area, the buck will cross the trails of more does in a shorter period of time. Look for a small trail that parallels a feeding or bedding area. As luck turned out, I shot an 8-pointer on Oct. 7.
Fall is a great time to be in the field, and Bob’s Gun and Tackle has you well covered.
Outdoor Truths: You’re First
By Gary Miller
I was reminded the other day about a bowhunt I took with my son several years ago.
I remember it because it was a rare thing for him to be able to go. Since he was a little boy, he loved basketball and got to be pretty good. Good enough to play in college.
For those of you who don’t know, basketball and deer hunting season happen during the same time of the year. This is not good for the father who loves both. For many years, while others were in the woods in the afternoon, I was either at practice or at a game. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. And, as you can imagine, my son’s opportunities to hunt were scarce.
So, this trip was a first for us. It was his first bow season and basketball practice was two weeks away. Not only would he be hunting with a bow, but I would be leaving him to sit in a tree stand alone, while I hunted a few hundred yards away.
On the second evening of hunting, he met me at the top of the hill standing beside the deer he had shot, tracked, and dragged out. I was a proud dad.
Even though that evening was special, it was actually the first evening that I was just reminded of. It was the evening when he met me at the top of that same hill, empty-handed. It was my words to him as we drove home. He had not seen a deer.
I asked him that evening, “Son, do you think I had rather shoot a deer, or see you shoot a deer?” He said, “Me.” I asked him again. “Do you think I would rather put you in the best place to hunt or me?” Again, he said, “Me.” I responded, “Good.”
Now if you’re a parent, you understand the power of that short conversation. You understand that my son was getting the picture of the love of a father and the greater desire I have for him than I do for myself. I want to hope that I had lived that in front of him before.
Why did my thoughts go back to that time? I believe the Lord wanted to reminded me of that to let me know how He feels about me. I can imagine, if only slightly, how much He must want what’s best for me. And even though there are days it seems I’m sitting in a place of no hope, I have confidence that if the Lord has put me there, He must know there’s a great reward that will soon come my way.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 22 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoortruths. org.
I was reminded the other day about a bowhunt I took with my son several years ago.
I remember it because it was a rare thing for him to be able to go. Since he was a little boy, he loved basketball and got to be pretty good. Good enough to play in college.
For those of you who don’t know, basketball and deer hunting season happen during the same time of the year. This is not good for the father who loves both. For many years, while others were in the woods in the afternoon, I was either at practice or at a game. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. And, as you can imagine, my son’s opportunities to hunt were scarce.
So, this trip was a first for us. It was his first bow season and basketball practice was two weeks away. Not only would he be hunting with a bow, but I would be leaving him to sit in a tree stand alone, while I hunted a few hundred yards away.
On the second evening of hunting, he met me at the top of the hill standing beside the deer he had shot, tracked, and dragged out. I was a proud dad.
Even though that evening was special, it was actually the first evening that I was just reminded of. It was the evening when he met me at the top of that same hill, empty-handed. It was my words to him as we drove home. He had not seen a deer.
I asked him that evening, “Son, do you think I had rather shoot a deer, or see you shoot a deer?” He said, “Me.” I asked him again. “Do you think I would rather put you in the best place to hunt or me?” Again, he said, “Me.” I responded, “Good.”
Now if you’re a parent, you understand the power of that short conversation. You understand that my son was getting the picture of the love of a father and the greater desire I have for him than I do for myself. I want to hope that I had lived that in front of him before.
Why did my thoughts go back to that time? I believe the Lord wanted to reminded me of that to let me know how He feels about me. I can imagine, if only slightly, how much He must want what’s best for me. And even though there are days it seems I’m sitting in a place of no hope, I have confidence that if the Lord has put me there, He must know there’s a great reward that will soon come my way.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 22 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoortruths. org.
Mark the Location of Late Emerging Perennials
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa) has red, orange, or yellow flowers and can be late to emerge in spring.
Photo courtesy MelindaMyers.com
By Melinda Myers
As you prepare your gardens for winter, consider marking the location of late emerging perennials to avoid accidentally weeding them out next spring. Use bulbs, commercial or DIY plant labels, stones or simply leave their stems intact to help guide your cleanup efforts next spring.
These late emerging perennials may have you worried they died overwinter. Lingering winter weather and cooler than normal spring temperatures can further delay their appearance. Be patient and know this adaptation allows them to avoid damage from late spring frosts as they wait for the soil to warm and begin growing.
Hardy hibiscus, balloon flower (Platycodon), leadwort (Ceratostostigma), Crocosmia, Red-hot poker (Kniphofia), whirling butterflies (Gaura lindheimeri), Butterfly bush (Buddleia), Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), and blue spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis) are a few you may have growing in your garden. Many native plants like butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Culver’s root (Veronicastrum), Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica), Joe-pye weed (Eutrochium spp. formerly Eupatorium), asters, liatris, and goldenrods can also be late to emerge. It’s easy to accidentally weed these out during spring cleanup.
These plants are worth the wait since they add extra color to our mid and late season gardens. They extend the beauty, pollinator appeal and food source for many insects, and songbirds visiting your gardens.
Try leaving the stems or a portion of the stems of these plants intact until the new growth emerges. Unfortunately, many of us have accidentally removed these, too.
Plant tags will identify the plant and mark their location but can be unsightly. Try placing a colorful dowel rod, golf tee or short bamboo stake at the base of these plants. Number each and mark them on your garden plans to help track the plant’s identity.
Stones or shells, where they are abundant, can be placed next to or surrounding these plants to mark the location. These tend to stay put and may be less obtrusive than plant tags. Just be sure to alert anyone helping in the garden of their purpose and that they need to stay put.
Or mark their spot with bulbs. Plant spring flowering bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths and alliums next to these plants to extend your garden’s bloom time and help prevent damage to the perennial plants.
Avoid tulips, crocus and other bulbs that animals love. Squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and deer may move or eat your marker.
Consider using a mix of early, mid and late spring flowering bulbs to further extend the color in your garden. Or skirt these late emerging plants with early spring blooming perennials like woodland and creeping phlox, candytuft or rockcress. You’ll enjoy the added color as you wait for the other plants to make their appearance later in the spring.
When spring arrives, exercise patience as you wait for the return of beautiful, late emerging perennials.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
As you prepare your gardens for winter, consider marking the location of late emerging perennials to avoid accidentally weeding them out next spring. Use bulbs, commercial or DIY plant labels, stones or simply leave their stems intact to help guide your cleanup efforts next spring.
These late emerging perennials may have you worried they died overwinter. Lingering winter weather and cooler than normal spring temperatures can further delay their appearance. Be patient and know this adaptation allows them to avoid damage from late spring frosts as they wait for the soil to warm and begin growing.
Hardy hibiscus, balloon flower (Platycodon), leadwort (Ceratostostigma), Crocosmia, Red-hot poker (Kniphofia), whirling butterflies (Gaura lindheimeri), Butterfly bush (Buddleia), Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), and blue spirea (Caryopteris x clandonensis) are a few you may have growing in your garden. Many native plants like butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), Culver’s root (Veronicastrum), Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica), Joe-pye weed (Eutrochium spp. formerly Eupatorium), asters, liatris, and goldenrods can also be late to emerge. It’s easy to accidentally weed these out during spring cleanup.
These plants are worth the wait since they add extra color to our mid and late season gardens. They extend the beauty, pollinator appeal and food source for many insects, and songbirds visiting your gardens.
Try leaving the stems or a portion of the stems of these plants intact until the new growth emerges. Unfortunately, many of us have accidentally removed these, too.
Plant tags will identify the plant and mark their location but can be unsightly. Try placing a colorful dowel rod, golf tee or short bamboo stake at the base of these plants. Number each and mark them on your garden plans to help track the plant’s identity.
Stones or shells, where they are abundant, can be placed next to or surrounding these plants to mark the location. These tend to stay put and may be less obtrusive than plant tags. Just be sure to alert anyone helping in the garden of their purpose and that they need to stay put.
Or mark their spot with bulbs. Plant spring flowering bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths and alliums next to these plants to extend your garden’s bloom time and help prevent damage to the perennial plants.
Avoid tulips, crocus and other bulbs that animals love. Squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and deer may move or eat your marker.
Consider using a mix of early, mid and late spring flowering bulbs to further extend the color in your garden. Or skirt these late emerging plants with early spring blooming perennials like woodland and creeping phlox, candytuft or rockcress. You’ll enjoy the added color as you wait for the other plants to make their appearance later in the spring.
When spring arrives, exercise patience as you wait for the return of beautiful, late emerging perennials.
—————
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” streaming courses and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Kellogg Bird Sanctuary to Hold Online Birds and Coffee Chats
Share your latest bird sightings and learn more about some of the bird species commonly found during autumn in southwest Michigan during monthly Birds and Coffee chats, offered by the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary. All events begin at 10 a.m. on Zoom.
The November chat, set for Wednesday, Nov. 12, will focus on swans and geese.
The December chat will take place Wednesday, Dec. 10. Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator Elliot Nelson will join us again for the last chat of 2025 to talk about some of the sightings throughout the year of birds that are rare to Michigan.
Birds and Coffee chats are free and open to the public, but registration is required to access information on how to join the events.
Questions? Contact the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary at birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu or 269-671-2510.
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to conserve native habitat for migratory and resident birds and to promote environmental awareness through research, education and outreach. Since 1928, the Sanctuary has served as a practical training school for animal care and land management, and remains an innovator in wildlife conservation efforts.
The November chat, set for Wednesday, Nov. 12, will focus on swans and geese.
The December chat will take place Wednesday, Dec. 10. Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator Elliot Nelson will join us again for the last chat of 2025 to talk about some of the sightings throughout the year of birds that are rare to Michigan.
Birds and Coffee chats are free and open to the public, but registration is required to access information on how to join the events.
Questions? Contact the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary at birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu or 269-671-2510.
The W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary’s mission is to conserve native habitat for migratory and resident birds and to promote environmental awareness through research, education and outreach. Since 1928, the Sanctuary has served as a practical training school for animal care and land management, and remains an innovator in wildlife conservation efforts.
County Hosting ‘Game Day for Good’ Fundraiser
The Ottawa County Community Action Agency (OCCAA) will hold its newest fundraising event, “Game Day for Good: Walking with Purpose, Cheering with Pride,” on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Pigeon Creek County Park, 12524 Stanton St. in West Olive.
This family-friendly fundraiser invites community members to enjoy a scenic fall walk while raising critical funds for OCCAA programs that support individuals and families across Ottawa County. From utility assistance and food support to home weatherization services, 100 percent of proceeds will go directly toward helping neighbors reduce financial hardship and achieve economic independence.
In partnership with the Ottawa County Department of Parks and Recreation, the event blends outdoor fun with spirited giving. Participants are encouraged to show their team pride by donating in honor of either Michigan State University or the University of Michigan. Each donation counts as a “point” for the chosen team in a friendly fundraising rivalry. While the outcome of the actual football game may be uncertain, the community will decide which team wins this charitable challenge.
“Game Day for Good is more than a walk - it’s a chance to rally around our neighbors in need,” OCCAA Program Director Jennifer Brozowski said. “We’re excited to launch this event and give residents a fun, meaningful way to make a difference.”
Attendees will enjoy light refreshments, fall colors, and the opportunity to learn more about OCCAA’s mission and impact. Registration for the event is requested, but not required.
To register or donate, visit givebutter.com/Gameday4good.
OCCAA aims to reduce the effects of financial hardships by promoting self-sufficiency and empowering individuals and families to achieve economic independence. For more information, visit miottawa.org/CAA.
This family-friendly fundraiser invites community members to enjoy a scenic fall walk while raising critical funds for OCCAA programs that support individuals and families across Ottawa County. From utility assistance and food support to home weatherization services, 100 percent of proceeds will go directly toward helping neighbors reduce financial hardship and achieve economic independence.
In partnership with the Ottawa County Department of Parks and Recreation, the event blends outdoor fun with spirited giving. Participants are encouraged to show their team pride by donating in honor of either Michigan State University or the University of Michigan. Each donation counts as a “point” for the chosen team in a friendly fundraising rivalry. While the outcome of the actual football game may be uncertain, the community will decide which team wins this charitable challenge.
“Game Day for Good is more than a walk - it’s a chance to rally around our neighbors in need,” OCCAA Program Director Jennifer Brozowski said. “We’re excited to launch this event and give residents a fun, meaningful way to make a difference.”
Attendees will enjoy light refreshments, fall colors, and the opportunity to learn more about OCCAA’s mission and impact. Registration for the event is requested, but not required.
To register or donate, visit givebutter.com/Gameday4good.
OCCAA aims to reduce the effects of financial hardships by promoting self-sufficiency and empowering individuals and families to achieve economic independence. For more information, visit miottawa.org/CAA.
