Mike Jackson, owner of Vogel’s and Foster’s, launched a new Chelsea School District fundraiser on Black Friday this year, donating a percentage of his sales to the schools during the traditional opening weekend of the Christmas shopping season.
Dubbed “Chelsea Gold,” Jackson said he wanted to give back to the schools during the Nov. 23-25 weekend because, “I’m appreciative of the high quality education children in Chelsea receive, and I know that the district is facing financial struggles.”
“It was a way to remind the community to shop local, support local, and keep your money local,” he said.
Andy Ingall, superintendent of Chelsea District Schools, said “a healthy local economy and business sector creates a healthy community,” adding, “We stand behind shop local and spend local. We receive a lot of support from the business community.”
Jackson said the schools bring new people and the new teachers into town. Plus, he said, it gives him the opportunity to point new customers toward his American made and Michigan made product lines.
Sales for the weekend exceeded his expectations, and Jackson was able to donate $800 to the schools.
In 2013, he plans to encourage all Chelsea businesses to participate and donate a percentage of sales for the weekend. “Whatever they feel comfortable with,” he said.
“Local business support of the schools has always been very generous and we are eternally appreciative,” Ingall said.
This is yet another example of how Chelsea takes care of it own and makes creating a sense of community a top priority.