The Portage Health Auxiliary handed out some early Christmas gifts yesterday.
The group distributed $15,700 in donations to community organizations. The largest check went to 31 Backpacks – $3,000 to help in their effort to make sure kids from low income families have enough to eat.
Other large donations included $2,000 to the Hancock School District, and $1,500 to the Dan Schmitt Gift of Music fund.
The Portage Health Auxiliary operates the Guilded Rose Gift Shop at the UP Health System-Portage Hancock campus.
For many years, it supported hospital activities. When the hospital was purchased by a for-profit company, it turned its attention to funding scholarships for students in the healthcare field, and grants to community non-profits.