Jill Strake, president of the Schoolcraft Friday Backpack program, with her daughter, Shayla, and Sue Kuiper, chair of the Eagles Nest, were on hand at the Portage-Schoolcraft Eagles Aerie 3531 to receive a check for $1,000. The money will supply backpacks to Schoolcraft school children.
Each year this group donates its profits from a Charity Jam held for a series of bands who volunteer to perform. They then charge an admittance fee and choose the band who will play at their facility at 11611 Shaver Road near Schoolcraft.
Also participating in the Charity Jam are the Eagles Women’s Auxiliary of 3531, the Eagle Riders Motorcycles and the retired Eagles group. Each one chooses their own charity to donate to each year. “We chose the backpack program in Schoolcraft because all the money goes directly to the kids’ needs. There is no overhead,” Springer said as a representative of the Aerie.