Banner Realty Holds Nonprofit Lunch

In a chance to bring different nonprofit organizations in northeast Michigan together, Banner Realty hosted a lunch at the holiday inn in Alpena on Wednesday afternoon.

Boxes of meat, cheese and fruit served as the lunch as these organizations got together to learn more about how they can help each other.

“It’s just a wonderful time; it’s a time that we look forward to, and totally enjoy,” said Margie Haaxma of Banner Realty, who organized the event.

Representatives of each organization introduced themselves and what they do, and also what they need help with to improve. This gave the other nonprofits the chance offer help.

“I think what’s important is we have to take a collaborative effort,” said Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan Executive Director Ted Fines. “If we’re going to sit around in silos, we’re not going to achieve as much as we can. So it’s been my belief from day one for the last eight years, that we have to collaborate, we have to do things together to make a real big difference.”

There were close to ten different nonprofit organizations from all around northeast Michigan who attended the lunch, including Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, and Friends Together right here in Alpena.

“Well it’s pretty amazing what nonprofits can do when they work together, and a luncheon like this that Margie and her team at Banner Realty have put on is, it’s a treat for us too, because we get to see our cohorts from other industries and other nonprofits, and how we can help each other and the people that we serve,” said Patient Navigator of Friends Together Lesslee Dort.

The event went well as many organizations offered to help each other with things they may not have, which was the goal of the event the entire time.

“It’s really profitable and more than just gathering because we like them, and to say thank you, they are working together, and they find out things that the organization itself may not know about another one, which gives the opportunity to be a greater blessing to the community,” said Haaxma.

Many organizations are looking for board members and volunteers.