Q&A with McLaren Port Huron Foundation Board of Directors

The McLaren Port Huron Foundation is dedicated to providing care for hospital patients as well as the entire community outside of the nonprofit hospital setting. Through donations, educational programs, health services, updated equipment, and financial resources, the Foundation impacts neighbors, family members, and the community as a whole.

The Keel recently had the opportunity to speak with three McLaren Port Huron Foundation Board members who shared more about their roles, community connections, and what inspired them to get involved.

Jorja Baldwin, New Board Member since 2024

The Keel: Can you tell me a little bit about your familiarity and experiences with the Port Huron community?

Jorja Baldwin: Born and raised in Fort Gratiot, a chance summer job in local government has turned into a nearly 30-year career leading to my current position as an elected county commissioner. I’ve been building relationships with our government officials, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and corporate businesses while serving our residents throughout my career. I’ve had the honor of being involved with a variety of community organizations, including the YMCA [of the Blue Water Area], SONS [Outreach], Blue Water Community Action Agency, Port Huron Nutcracker, Fort Gratiot Business Association, Port Huron Museums, McLaren Recipients Rights Board, Lake Huron Medical Center Board of Governors, City of Port Huron Downtown Development Authority, Blue Meets Green Leadership Council, St. Clair County Community Mental Health, and Port Huron Town Hall, all of which have allowed me to meet new people and get a view of the various needs and desires of the people who live here.

The Keel: What inspired you to want to become more involved with the McLaren Port Huron Foundation?

Jorja Baldwin: A quote I read years ago transformed the way I viewed my role in our community: ‘This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in.’ -Theodore Roosevelt. There is a strong dedication to philanthropy efforts in St. Clair County and the McLaren Port Huron Foundation is uniquely positioned to be the voice of the people when it comes to how McLaren can expand and improve to best meet our needs locally. McLaren is a large, corporate system, but one I feel takes very seriously the needs of each community in which it has a facility, as they differ from site to site. I am excited to be a part of a group that acts as a liaison between donors, recipients, and the hospital, with the ability to make a positive impact.

Jorja Baldwin and her husband, Scott.

The Keel: What are some of your hobbies or things you like to do outside of work and volunteering?

Jorja Baldwin: My husband, Scott, and I have three kids (ages 14-19) of whom we are incredibly proud and keep us incredibly busy. We love spending time outside, especially on Lake Huron and the Black River. We enjoy exploring the many – and growing – small, locally owned businesses from Lake St. Clair to the tip of the thumb. Boats, beaches, bonfires, family, and great friends are what makes the Port Huron area home.

The Keel: Within your new role as Board Member, are there any particular projects you’re excited to work on?

Jorja Baldwin: The pandemic impacted every part of our world, one of the hardest hit being healthcare. It also forced organizations like this to completely reinvent the way we interact with the community. Today, we are now able to take how we operated prior to and during the pandemic to create new events and updated ways to grow support of the mission. We have an opportunity to apply new and innovative ways to educate the community about what we do and offer options for people to donate either their time or funds that speak to them. People want to feel a connection to a cause, and with this board of incredible community members and staff, and a hospital dedicated to supporting the foundation, we are in a great position to grow.

Robert L. Wilkinson, Returning Secretary/Treasurer, Board Member since 2021

The Keel: Can you tell me a little bit about your familiarity and experiences with the Port Huron community?

Robert L. Wilkinson: I am very familiar with Port Huron and the surrounding area. I was born and raised in Fort Gratiot/Port Huron. In 2017, I established my branch of Edward Jones in downtown Port Huron. In terms of community involvement, I am a member of the [Blue Water Area] Chamber of Commerce, the Estate Planning Committee, and I'm on the Board of the McLaren Port Huron Foundation.

The Keel: What inspired you to want to become more involved with the McLaren Port Huron Foundation?

Robert L. Wilkinson: In many ways, McLaren Port Huron is a vital piece to this area and it is important to me that it thrives. Everyone in this community either has received or knows people who have received treatment or are employed by McLaren. When I was asked to join the board, I jumped at the opportunity.

The Keel: In your time on the Board, what highlights or accomplishments are you proud of thus far?

Robert L. Wilkinson: Navigating and adapting to the difficulties that accompanied fundraising through COVID. The foundation was able to continually add new donors and fundraise at high levels despite the circumstances. For example, moving the Festival of Trees from an in-person event to an event that incorporated the hospital as well as brought visibility to downtown businesses.

Robert and Ashley Wilkinson with their two children Benny (left) and Addie.

The Keel: Within your new role as a Board Member, are there any particular projects you’re excited to work on?

Robert L. Wilkinson: As a lifelong golfer, I always get excited about the McLaren golf outing. It is an event that many in the community look forward to and is important to keep successful. I also am looking forward to what is ahead for the Festival of Trees, a cornerstone of our community's holiday season.

The Keel: What are some of your hobbies or things you like to do outside of work and volunteering?

Robert L. Wilkinson: I love spending time with my family – my wife Ashley, 5-year-old son Benny, and 1-year-old daughter Addie. I love to golf when time allows it. I am a big sports fan whether it be the Lions, Tigers, Red Wings, or even the lowly Pistons.

Riley Alley, Returning Board Member in 2024, Board Member since 2019

The Keel: Can you tell me a little bit about your familiarity and experiences with the Port Huron community?

Riley Alley: I grew up in St. Clair County, and went away and got my degree from Central Michigan University. Both my husband and I grew up in St. Clair so we knew we wanted to come back to this area. In 2011, we were able to move back home and started raising our family here as well.

The Keel: What are some of your hobbies or things you like to do outside of work and volunteering?

Riley Alley: I have four kids so my time is mostly spent in a hockey rink or at a basketball or baseball game. My kids keep me busy enough, so I don’t really have individual hobbies, but I spend a lot of time with them and at sports.

Riley Alley with her husband, Matt, and their four children.

The Keel: What inspired you to want to become more involved with the McLaren Port Huron Foundation?

Riley Alley: I was approached to join the Board because of my work in the community. I work with everybody across the county who works with young children and our early childhood system. When Lynn Griffor was the director of the Foundation, she approached me to be a part of it to bring more of a community voice, and an early childhood voice to make sure that we’re reaching all families across the county.

The Keel: In your time on the Board, what highlights or accomplishments are you proud of thus far?

Riley Alley: As our Board continues to evolve and grow, it’s always nice to see the things that we are able to directly support the hospital with. Recently, the hospital installed new technology that allows doctors to detect lung cancer at an earlier stage, and the Festival of Trees was a key event to raise funds to support that new equipment. It’s all of those pieces that the Foundation has been able to do to support new technology, advancements, and updates to what we have to provide our community with what they need.