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Baraga R.I.C.C. Helps to Decorate L’Anse for the Holidays
by Kathy Franklin
Our R.I.C.C. group participated in the annual Christmas tree decorating contest in L’Anse. We were one of 37 businesses that decorated a tree. Individuals could cast a 25 cent vote for their favorite tree, with all proceeds going to the St. Vincent dePaul Society.
We began making ornaments for our tree during the R.I.C.C. summer outreach event and picnic last summer and got a lot of help from our friends from the Ontonagon R.I.C.C. group that had joined us there. We had fun being creative with our paints, and glitter turning out some nice ornaments. Work continued throught the months with a couple of members working extra hard to make ornaments. The day program at CCMH painted balls to hang. Everyone got into the spirit of the season.
In December we were told that the The Hilltop Restaurant, very kindly, would let us decorate the tree outside of their door. They even put lights on the tree for us! On a sunny afternoon we met at the Hilltop and put our decorations on the cute little tree.
We began to spread the word to our families and friends to come see our tree and give us a vote. We even made it onto Facebook, asking friends from all over the area to come and cast their votes, and get a great cinnamon bun from the restaurant while they were at it. In the end we received 1,142 votes and raised $45.69 for St. Vincent dePaul!
It was a thorougly enjoyable event, we were able to work together in our community, and have our community get to know us, just a little better.
ABOUT THE RICC
Peer Support
The Baraga County Regional Interagency Consumer Committee is an organization founded to advance the interests of people in Baraga County with Developmental Disabilities. All of the officers and the majority of the members are people with disabilities. Membership is also open to community members and others interested in making life better for people with disabilities who live in Baraga County. Some transportation provided by Copper Country Mental Health staff is available to people with disabilities, however this is limited. The RICC members support each other in an atmosphere of respect and kindness.
Advocacy
Members work to identify barriers to a fuller life in our community. The organization is committed to systems change in ways that will make life better for people with disabilities in Baraga County. The group has been very active around issues related to voting rights and education, transportation, self-determination and independent facilitation. Recently the Baraga County RICC has identified housing issues for people with disabilities as the newest advocacy issue of interest for members.
Community Activities
The RICC sponsors outreach events every year to engage people with disabilities and share support. Typically the RICC will host a Christmas Oureach event and a summer picnic. The organization has benefited from great community support over the years. For 2 years, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has donated funds for the Christmas event and the L’Anse Knights of Columbus has assisted with funding both the summer picnic and the holiday event.
Funding
The group is supported by an annual grant that is awarded specifically to accomplish a list of activities and outcomes that are part of an annual work plan. The Baraga County RICC is supported by Grant # 2011105 from the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, awarded pursuant to P.L. 106-402 as amended, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, through the Michigan Department of Community Health, the Council’s state designated administering agency.