November is the month when we, as a culture, highlight thankfulness and gratitude. We give thanks for what we have—our homes, jobs, communities, food, friends, family, health, and so much more.
However, repping an attitude of gratitude should not be curtailed to one month; rather, it should be emphasized year-round. And one of the best ways to hone in on being grateful is to give back to your community.
All year, there are opportunities to donate, volunteer, and help those in need. Perhaps you round up at the grocery store, participate in a can drive, drop change in the Salvation Army’s bucket, or bring winter gear to a coat drive. All efforts are impactful.
Many local and regional organizations strive to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, as do some of our stalwart Downtown Petoskey businesses—specifically Bearcub Outfitters and Ward and Eis Gallery.
A Bear Hug for the Community
Since 1998, Bearcub Outfitters—a family outfitter specializing in active, everyday lifestyle clothing for all ages and even pets—has operated with a mentality geared toward community give-back.
“We strongly believe in giving back, not only during the holidays but all year,” said Melanie Meengs, Bearcub Outfitters team member. “It has been one of the core tenets of our business since we opened 26 years ago. Several of our staff participate as board members and volunteers for a number of nonprofit organizations in the community. We encourage our staff to get involved.”
Throughout the year, Bearcub selects days when it donates a portion of sales to local nonprofits. In the past, sales from Bearcub’s birthday celebration, Memorial Day Weekend, Labor Day Weekend, Giving Tuesday, and a holiday season shopping day have resulted in impressive donations. Bearcub has supported the efforts of Habitat for Humanity, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, the Manna Food Project, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, and the Trails Council while also spreading the word about how each organization makes a difference in Northern Michigan.
Bearcub also proudly sponsors activities that align with its mission to get families engaged with nature, including sponsorship of two snowshoe fundraisers at Camp Daggett, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council’s Clean Waters Challenge, and numerous activities with the Trails Council and Habitat for Humanity.
Finally, Bearcub makes regular donations throughout the year to support the children of Northern Michigan. The civic-minded business helps local schools with senior class gifts, gear for sports programs, awards for positive behavior, and prizes for school fundraisers while also providing a local charity with gloves and mittens for families in need.
“We are very proud of our commitment to our community and recently received the Thriving Petoskey Award from the Petoskey Area Chamber of Commerce for our actions,” added Meengs. “We recognize that our success relies on the strength of not only our staff but a strong community, and we are grateful to support so many wonderful organizations who share the same compassion.”
Artful Giving from a Local Gallery
Ward and Eis Gallery, a downtown fixture of nearly 40 years, has made a name for itself by showcasing handmade leather goods and Native American jewelry, carvings, and pottery and supporting the local organizations that help the Petoskey area thrive.
Early this year, gallery owner Jennifer Eis carried on a decades-long tradition of philanthropy that she and her late partner, Don Ward, started by bestowing donations totaling $28,000 to several area nonprofits. Recipients included The Manna Food Project, The Nehemiah Project, The Petoskey Club, Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, Friendship Centers of Emmet County, and the Health Department of Northwest Michigan.
Over four decades, Ward and Eis Gallery has given a staggering $567,000 back to the community. Prioritizing community service and community relationships over profit, Eis and Ward never skipped a year of giving—even when times were tough. They even increased their giving throughout the years, putting faith in the belief that the good you put into the world comes back to you. And they reaped the benefits of their charitable efforts through friendships, support, and a community that backs them.
This generosity-based philosophy allowed them to fill their community’s cup time and again, proving a small business can have a significant impact when it puts people ahead of profit.
When Eis shared the gallery’s 2024 contributions with the selected local organizations, she said, “Sometimes, if you just stay in one place and keep doing what you do, you can make a really big difference.” There’s no truer statement to be shared when it comes to living a generous life.
Here in Downtown Petoskey, we are blessed—and grateful—to have these community give-back giants on East Lake Street. Businesses like Bearcub Outfitters and Ward and Eis Gallery remind us how rewarding it is to help our neighbors and community no matter the time of year.
