FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, March 18, 2019 Contact: Rob Clark, Michigan Sugar Company, 989-686-0161
Bay City cooperative donated 25 pounds of sugar for every Saginaw Spirit home goal this season
BAY CITY – How have Saginaw Spirit goals at home this season benefited a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services to the homeless in Bay City and Saginaw?
The answer is pretty sweet.
Michigan Sugar Company officials announced today the results of year one of the “Sweet Shot of the Game” promotion, a partnership with the Saginaw Spirit and Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan, which operates the City Rescue Mission in Saginaw, Good Samaritan Rescue Mission in Bay City and Community Village, a senior living community in Saginaw.
Throughout the season, Michigan Sugar Company donated 25 pounds of white granulated Pioneer Sugar to Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan for each goal the Spirit scored at home – a total of 151 goals resulting in a donation of sugar totaling 3,775 pounds.
“We are greatly appreciative of this ‘sweet’ donation and the delicious meals it helps provide to more than 2,200 men, women and children seeking emergency shelter at Good Samaritan Rescue Mission or City Rescue Mission,” said Dan Streeter, CEO of Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan. “Michigan Sugar has always been concerned about the needs of our region. It is a tremendous asset for our community to be home to a local company concerned for local people.”
The Sweet Shot of the Game promotion was patterned after the Michigan Sugar Home Runs promotion launched this year by Michigan Sugar Company and the Great Lakes Loons. Through that promotion, Michigan Sugar donated sugar for each home run hit by the Loons minor league baseball team. During the regular season, the Loons belted 84 homers and the company donated 1,000 pounds of sugar. The promotion will continue this coming season.
Each year, Michigan Sugar Company donates upward of 85,000 pounds of sugar to charitable organizations and causes throughout Michigan. This year, that included a one-day donation of 22,800 pounds of sugar to 57 area nonprofits as part of an annual distribution coordinated in partnership with the United Way of Bay County.
“Michigan Sugar Company has always had a sharp focus on corporate philanthropy and we are fortunate to make a product that is a staple in kitchens everywhere,” said Rob Clark, Director of Communications and Community Relations for the company. “The Michigan Sugar Home Runs and Sweet Shots of the Game promotions are just two examples of how Michigan Sugar Company is working to make a positive impact in our local communities.”
Michigan Sugar Company officials made a ceremonial, on-ice presentation of sugar to Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan during that organization’s “Hockey for the Homeless” event at the March 2 Saginaw Spirit game.
“Great people and a very worthwhile cause describe our relationship and partnership between Michigan Sugar, Rescue Ministries and the Saginaw Spirit,” said Craig Goslin, President and Managing Partner of the team. “Michigan Sugar demonstrates in many ways its commitment to supporting worthwhile events and charities throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region and we are grateful and honored to be one of those events on their priority list. This promotion creates a win-win where all involved benefit. We are grateful for the people of Michigan Sugar and the value they place on helping those in need in our community.”
About the Saginaw Spirit
The Saginaw Spirit hockey team is a member of the West Division of the Western Conference of the Ontario Hockey League. The team came into existence after the 2001-2002 season when Dick Garber, owner of several local automobile dealerships, purchased the North Bay Centennials and moved the team to Saginaw. The team is coached by Chris Lazary and boasts 18 players who have gone on to play in the National Hockey League. Learn more at saginawspirit.com.
About Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan
Rescue Ministries of Mid-Michigan has more than 100 years of experience in addressing the most basic needs among people: shelter, food and clothing. With time, the agency has increased its effectiveness by expanding its facilities and by improving its life skills and employment preparedness programs. Established in 1905, City Rescue Mission of Saginaw is an emergency shelter for men, women and children in Saginaw County and beyond. Founded in 2005, Good Samaritan Rescue Mission of Bay City is an emergency shelter for men, women, and children in Bay County and beyond. Established in 1993, Community Village Senior Living is a licensed Michigan Home for the Aged. Learn more at r3monline.org.
About Michigan Sugar Company
Established in 1906 and headquartered in Bay City, Michigan Sugar Company is a cooperative owned by approximately 900 growers who annually plant and harvest about 160,000 acres of sugarbeets. The company processes those beets at factories in Bay City, Caro, Croswell and Sebewaing, producing approximately 1.3 billion pounds of sugar each year that it sells under the Pioneer and Big Chief brands. The company has 930 year-round employees and hires an additional 1,100 seasonal workers. Michigan Sugar has an annual local economic impact of about $500 million. Learn more at michigansugar.com.
