We recently received an email from Karen Melton with the Thunder Bay Lighthouse Preservation Society, and feeling strongly about the importance of the work they are doing, have decided to send out this special notice.
A matching grant to restore the light tower on Thunder Bay Island is coming due in June of this year. The Society still has to raise $17,000 to meet a 3 for 1 grant. Every $1.00 they receive will be matched with about $3. The total grant is for $110,000. This is the cost to redo the tower so it will last for our children and their children to see and enjoy as much as we do.
There is a major crack in the outer portion of the tower with lots of small cracks running out from the major one. More cracks are being discovered every year. The major crack is 2-3″ away from the base material. If something isn’t done soon, we will lose the outer portion of the tower and it will cost much more to repair.
The organization doesn’t have the money to save the tower at this time. They are looking for donations to help protect the state of Michigan’s history.
As you are all aware, Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse was built in 1832, and was the third lighthouse built on the Lake Huron Shores. It is now the second oldest original remaining tower in the lower portion of Michigan. Your help is needed to preserve this history.
They need donations, memberships, or any help they can get, to help obtain this matching grant.
If you are interested, have questions or can donate to our cause, please contact: KarenMM@emailaccount.com or send donations to:
TBILPS
Attn: Karen Melton
PO Box 212
Alpena, MI. 49707
If you would pass this message on to others, it may just help us reach our
goal before the deadline of June 30, 2003.