MDSCAA Co-Hosts May Business After Hours

On Wednesday, May 28th, the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency was proud to join the Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) and the Escanaba Daily Press as co-hosts of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Business After Hours event. Held at DATA’s headquarters on 27th Avenue North in Escanaba, the evening drew approximately 125 attendees for networking, food, raffle prizes, and conversation about the services our organizations bring to Delta County and beyond.

Business After Hours is a free, public networking event organized monthly by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, with a different member business or organization serving as host each month. May’s event was a natural fit for three organizations whose work touches the daily lives of community members in meaningful — and often overlooked — ways.

Representatives from MDSCAA were on hand, including Executive Director Gary Willoughby, Deputy Director Myra Smeester, Governing Board Vice-Chair Myra Croasdell, Governing Board Secretary John Stapleton, Governing Board Member Jeff Waeghe, Governing Board Member Robin Double, Senior Services Director Kristie Stenlund, Family Community Manager Angela Gardner, HR Coordinator Caitlyn Wicklund, Administrative Assistant Julie Rexford, Welcome Newborns Program Coordinator Stephine Deeren and Adult Day Services Program Supervisors Annie Patton and Cherish Mlostek.

Kristie Stenlund, Senior Services Director, spoke to the crowd about the scope of MDSCAA’s Senior Services department — which encompasses in-home services including homemaker aides and respite care, the Meals on Wheels program, senior centers and kitchens throughout the tri-county area, and a transit system serving Menominee County. Adult Day Services is one program within that department, and it was the focus of the evening’s fundraising efforts.

The Adult Day Services program offers structured daily activities, community connection, and critical respite for family caregivers supporting loved ones living with dementia. No eligible individual is ever turned away due to income.

Thanks to the generosity of everyone who attended, proceeds from the evening’s 50/50 raffle — as well as additional proceeds raised by DATA — will go directly to benefit MDSCAA’s Adult Day Services program.

The Daily Press covered the event in depth in their May 29th edition. The full article, written by R. R. Branstrom with photography by R. R. Branstrom and Mark Ammel, is available at dailypress.net (subscription may be required).

The next Business After Hours will be hosted by Bay College on June 10th.

Susan Gartland shared that programs through the Community Action Agency help take the burden off of family caregivers, as exemplified with her aunt and uncle. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

St. Croix rod and reel raffle winner.

Two men, each carrying a long row of bucket raffle tickets, consider the offering at Business After Hours on Wednesday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

A massive amount of meat and cheese and more, provided by Bobaloons, fed the approximately 125 attendees of this month's Business After Hours. (Photo courtesy of Mark Ammel)

People socialize at the Delta Area Transit Authority headquarters for the Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours event. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

Attendees of Business After Hours at DATA talk and eye up raffle prizes. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)