Tourism Professionals Gather For Clean-Up Event At Fort Wilkins

Copper Harbor, MI – More than 150 of Michigan’s tourism professionals are set to join forces, taking time off from their normal work to roll up their sleeves and give back as a volunteer at the Michigan Cares for Tourism 2018 Clean-Up Event, September 16-18. This year, volunteers are headed north to Michigan’s beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula to assist with several projects in the revitalization of Fort Wilkins Historic State Park.

“We are thrilled to be bringing more than 150 volunteers, a SOLD-OUT event, to this beautiful state park in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to assist in restoration projects and introduce tourism industry professionals to a new destination,” said Patty Janes, Grand Valley State University professor and Michigan Cares for Tourism (MC4T) volunteer coordinator. “Over the course of three days, our volunteers will have the opportunity to explore the region, learn about many attractions through the various excursions, and network with fellow tourism industry members, all before rolling up their sleeves to accomplish many revitalization projects at Fort Wilkins.”

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park encompasses more than 700 acres and features a restored 19^th century military post, one of the first lighthouses built on Lake Superior, a campground, hiking and biking trails, playgrounds and more. The fort tells the story of life on the northern frontier in the mid-1800s through exhibits, interactive hands-on displays and rooms designed to reflect what life in 1844 looked like. The restoration efforts at Fort Wilkins began in the 1930s and will continue with the help of the Michigan tourism industry volunteers at this year’s clean-up event.

“Our clean-up events would not be possible without the collaboration of the tourism industry and local community,” added Janes. “The generous support we have received from area tourism groups like the Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Upper Peninsula Travel and Recreation Association, along with local U.P. businesses like Stormy Kromer, has been tremendous. We look forward to bringing 150-plus volunteers to experience Fort Wilkins Historic State Park and the Copper Harbor area.”

Michigan’s tourism industry has come out in strong support by attracting more than 2,000 tourism professionals that have volunteered their time and talents to renew and refresh six volunteer clean-up sites over the past five years, including the Ralph A. MacMullan Center and Civilian Conservation Corps Museum in Roscommon, Felt Estate near Saugatuck, Fayette Historic State Park in the Upper Peninsula, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse near Alpena, Detroit’s Belle Isle Park and the Waterloo Recreation Area’s Historic Mill Lake Outdoor Center in Chelsea. These volunteer efforts have contributed more than $500,000 in supplies and labor savings to these locations. In addition, MC4T has raised funds and in-kind donations from more than 300 organizations.

Chartered by Grand Valley State University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management Department, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Travel Michigan, Tourism Cares, DRIVEN and Indian Trails, MC4T coordinates vital clean-up events at treasured Michigan tourism locations in need of revitalization. MC4T is a 100 percent volunteer, 100 percent give back organization with all proceeds solely designed to contribute to the clean-up of Michigan’s historic attractions.

For additional information on Michigan Cares for Tourism visit www.MichiganCaresforTourism.org or email icare@michigancaresfortourism.org.