Support was in full force for Lighthouse Emergency Services on Feb. 9 as figureheads and pillars of the Clarkston Community joined together for the third annual ‘Open Your Heart to Lighthouse? event.
The festivities took place in the home of Jerry and Carolyn Hemphill, who co-chaired the event with Tom and Tami Lowrie.
‘I figured it’s a good cause, so I was more than happy to host,? said Jerry Hemphill.
Hemphill also commented that people have done a lot to donate support to victims of hurricanes this year, which is a good thing, but that support for local charities suffered as a result.
‘Not that we don’t need to help hurricane victims, but there are local people who need help too,? Hemphill said.
All told, the event raised approximately $44,000 for Lighthouse. Turnout was higher this year than years past and more money was raised.
‘Without this party, Lighthouse could not keep it’s doors open,? said Lighthouse Executive Director Emily Nadeau.
With the economy in poor condition, committee members were unsure how well the event would go despite previous successes. Dawn Horner of Clarkston State Bank said people who used to donate to Lighthouse are now coming back because they are in need of support.
‘With the economy down the way it is, we were a little surprised,? said Horner, ‘but the community stepped up and really came through.?
‘We knew it was going to be tough, so we were going to work harder,? said Bill Clark. ‘This is the first year we’ve exceeded our goal.?
Throughout the evening, findng someone who did not have kind things to say about the event and Lighthouse was impossible.
‘I’ve been on the receiving end, now I have the opportunity to give back,? said Desiree Heck, a realtor with Max Brook Realty. ‘It’s such a worthy cause ? helping people in their time of need.?
‘I like donating to Lighthouse North because it is giving back to the community,? said Jill Adair, who was enjoying her first time at the annual event.
Even with the hustle and noise of the crowd, the message of the evening was never lost:
‘Lighthouse North is a great organization,? said Deanna Olsen ‘It’s a local charity. You can really see it helps because the people live in the community where I live.?