Yellow Door organizers were thrilled Tuesday at the turn-out for a special New Year’s Eve morning fundraiser to benefit At-Risk Youth in the Chelsea School District.
Before 10 a.m., more than $3,000 had been raised by people who were encouraged to donate $15 for one of the three menu choices. Before 11 a.m., the organizers announced that more than $4,500 had been raised, smashing the goal of $4,000.
And before the event ended, $5,000 was raised for the program that will be evenly split between the four Chelsea Schools.
“It was outstanding,” said Beth Morris, a social worker in the school district. “I told everyone when I get home I’ll cry … this made my year … it’s beyond words and all of it will so go to the students.”
She said that she can stretch $100 to help a lot, but $5,000? She said this money will go a long, long way for many years.
It will pay for at risk student’s lunches, caps and gowns at graduation, and year books, for example.
“This will make such a huge difference,” she said.
Larry and Stephanie Doll of Sylvan Township were two of the sponsors.
“The meal was fantastic,” Larry Doll said, adding that he and his wife were familiar with the Yellow Door initiative because they’ve known both Ortbring and Pacheco for a long time.
“We think they are great doing this for the community and local causes,” Doll said. “We wanted to get involved and this was a good time to give them a hand and hopefully, we’ll be able to do it again in the future.”
Rick Taylor, another sponsor of the event, said, “I’ve been coming to Yellow Doors since they started in a little house in the downtown.”
He said he decided to become sponsor for this fundraiser because “I know about it on a personal level.”
Another family who knows about the Yellow Door fundraisers on a personal level is the Cousins Family of Dexter.
Paul Cousins has been involved in Yellow Doors in both Chelsea and in Dexter.
“We did two Yellow Doors at our house,” his wife, Pat Cousins said.
The fundraisers benefited the Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee in the village.
And, Paul and his son, Kevin, (who works at Vinology) were guest chefs at a Yellow Door in Chelsea on New Year’s Eve 2012 at the Chelsea Community Fair Grounds.
Janice Ortbring and Jane Pacheco, the Yellow Door founders, were all smiles, too, thanking everyone for their support of this important cause.
“It started with a bang (thanks to the sponsors),” Pacheco said. “I’m so pleased and happy to help the school district, particularly Beth’s program.”
Because of early sponsorship for the fundraiser, donations were all directed toward the program that assists at risk students throughout the district.
This event was underwritten by Klink & Associates/Jeff Klink, Dr. Jim Duncan/Chelsea Chiropractic, Cobra Aero, Zingerman’s/Cornman Farms, Surface Dynamics/USA, Moore Pediatrics & Associates, Mark & Pam Powell, Mack Ruffin & Kathy Carter, Anne Williams/CEO Excellence Quest, LLC, Torrance Learning, Larry & Stephanie Doll, and Rick Taylor/Reinhart Realtor.
Special thanks to Chris and Aubrey Martinson of the Chelsea Alehouse, who provided generous support by donating the use of their space.
Please enjoy the slide show below from the event.
