Sunday often means a day off from work and time spent with family. This summer, families from around the Copper Country can spend that time together at the Copper Shores Community Picnic.
The Copper Shores Community Health Foundation hosts the annual event, rotating locations each year to serve its four-county service area. Marketing Associate Emilie Jacques explained the foundation’s approach to community engagement.
“We have a four-county service area: Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, and Ontonagon County, and we try to rotate the community every single year and go to a different county,” Jacques said. “This year we’re back to Houghton County, so we’re coming up to Laurium.”
The picnic offers more than just food and fun. Jacques said it’s a great opportunity for people to connect with resources available in their community.
“Several organizations that can support health are coming,” Jacques said. “In the last several years, we’ve really broadened our understanding of what health is, both traditional physical and mental health, but also community connections and access to nature, opportunities for recreation. Those things are really, really important for long-term positive health outcomes.”
The annual Copper Shores Community Picnic at the George Gipp Ice Arena in Laurium will begin at noon on Sunday. The free event runs for four hours and will feature family-friendly games, face painting, nonprofits and community action organizations, and lunch for all to enjoy.
Jacques highlighted some of the activities and opportunities attendees can expect.
“People will have the opportunity to meet with several local organizations and get connected to all kinds of resources that support health,” Jacques said. “We’re also going to have activities like a dunk tank. If you want to dunk me in the dunk tank, you can do that. We are going to have some fun prizes and of course lunch for everyone in your family. Everything is free. We really hope that everyone comes out and enjoys things like the splash pad and the sunshine and all the community resources.”
The event has proven valuable for different age groups. Parents learn about resources for their children, seniors discover groups that keep elders connected to the community, and young people find volunteer opportunities to get involved in the Keweenaw’s communities.
Jacques emphasized that reaching out for help doesn’t have to be intimidating.
“Yeah, absolutely. It is really daunting sometimes to reach out for help. It can be really scary to make a phone call, but we are going to have people who care, people who are excited to help, and they’re the people who run the organization,” Jacques said. “So they know what they’re talking about, and they’re really excited to meet you.”
For more information about the event, visit Copper Shores Community Health Foundation online. The community picnic will begin at noon and Sunday and run for three hours. The George Gipp Ice Arena is located at 200 Isle Royale Street, Laurium, MI 49913.
