Baraga Houghton Keweenaw Child Development will join the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign for the second year in 2026, seeking community support to enhance outdoor learning spaces for children.
For more than 50 years, the organization has worked with families and children across the Copper Country. Its approach has evolved to help children build confidence in skills they will use in school.
Last year, the campaign raised $9,600. The funds allowed programs to build and install little libraries at BHK sites throughout the Copper Country, helping improve literacy among young readers.
This year, donations will support outdoor play areas and learning experiences. Gwenn Elmblad, early childhood director at BHK Child Development, said outdoor spaces offer valuable opportunities for growth.
“There’s so much more problem solving you can do outdoors,” Elmblad said. “Some manageable risk taking, like balancing on a log or climbing up a little hill. That advances learning and development.”
Peggy Waara, health services director at BHK Child Development, said the campaign is centered on wonder.
“This year our campaign is rooted in wonder,” Waara said. “So we are looking to enhance our outdoor play spaces and outdoor learning experiences.”
BHK Child Development is a Head Start program, primarily funded through early Head Start with federal and state dollars. Waara said state-level funding cuts have strained providers across the region.
“Giving Tuesday is a great way for us to connect with the community,” Waara said. “Let them know who we are, the programs we provide here locally, and how their dollars will stay here and make a difference.”
Giving Tuesday was created in 2016 by the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation to centralize donations supporting Copper Country nonprofits. Since its launch, the program has raised about $5.8 million. The 2026 campaign will support close to 70 causes, including BHK Child Development.
