Latest news, weather, high school sports for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

MANISTIQUE -- At a time when most people's pockets are stretched thin, one family found a way to dig a little deeper and give back to a community they say has given to them.

On Friday, the HiawathaLand Habitat for Humanity received a large donation that will forever change the organization's operations, and because of the Blanchards, Lincoln School in Manistique will no longer sit empty and unused.

"You know, you always want to donate money to charity, work with your church group, and do certain things," says Tom Blanchard, "but very rarely do you get a chance to do something like this."

Tom and his cousin, Joe Blanchard, purchased Lincoln School when the facility went up for sale last fall.  They signed the building over to HiawathaLand Habitat for Humanity.

"This donation is going to build stability in this affiliate," stated HiawathaLand director Ray Blount.

The HiawathaLand Habitat for Humanity serves four counties:  Alger, Luce, Schoolcraft, and West Mackinaw; and with this building, they'll now be able to carry out their mission in ways they only dreamed about.

"I've tried to measure dollar-wise the impact this will have on HiawathaLand," Blount commented, "and I've not been able to measure that."

Lincoln School will be used for numerous Habitat initiatives.  The first order of business will be getting the HiawathaLand Restore up and running, which they hope to do so within the next six months, and Blount says they're already receiving donations.

The second floor of the building will be transformed into a volunteer center--complete with male and female dorms, as well as bathroom and kitchen facilities.

"Right now, when our volunteers come, they sleep in local churches and we've been blessed by that, but sleeping on the floor is not all that comfortable," Blount stated.

They also have plans to make the 18,000 square foot building their new office.

"I went into this no motive, other than to do the right thing," says Joe Blanchard, "and to eternalize how much of an impact we can have in the community, it feels pretty darn good.  I'm glad we were able to do it."