The YAC is encouraging young people to tackle spring clean-up, such as removing debris from area trails, projects April 23-25. Shelley Gotschling
Volunteering over Earth Day weekend could pay off for teens in Bay and Arenac counties.
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The
Youth Advisory Committee of the Bay Area Community Foundation is calling for youth volunteers to engage in acts of community services the weekend of April 23-25. During Give Back to Bay: Youth Volunteer Weekend, groups can choose their own project or select from those compiled by the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), says Foundation Communications Officer Kirsten Wild.
As an additional incentive, participating youth groups (K-12) will be eligible to apply for grants of $1,000 through the Foundation's
Dow communityGives Fund. While anyone is eligible to participate in the community service projects, only youth groups affiliated with a school, government entity, or nonprofit organizations are eligible for the grants. The grants can be used for future projects.
Wild says the YAC came up with the idea for the clean-up event in honor of Earth Day and in replacement of in-person events. With COVID-19 precautions canceling many traditional events for teens, YAC still wanted to host something this spring.
"The idea is the Youth Advisory Committee wanted to find a way to give back to the community this year," Wild says.
The Give Back to Bay: Youth Volunteer Cleanup Weekend fit the bill.
"If they don't already have a project in mind, we have lots they can choose from," she says.
To learn more or register for the event, contact Wild at
kirstenh@bayfoundation.org or (989) 893-4438.
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Kathy Roberts, a graduate of Central Michigan University, moved to Bay City in 1987 to start a career in the newspaper industry. She was a reporter and editor at the Bay City Times for 15 years before leaving to work at the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, Covenant HealthCare, and Ohno Design. In 2019, she returned to her storytelling roots as the Managing Editor of Route Bay City. When she’s not editing or writing stories, you can find her reading books, knitting, or visiting the bars of Bay County. You can reach Kathy at
editor@RouteBayCity.com