Camel races expected to raise big profits

Dear Editor,

The Family Literacy Center would like to extend their most sincere thanks to the generous sponsors, guests, and volunteers who helped make the 2024 Camel Races a success. Twenty-one area businesses and organizations decorated wooden camels to compete in the October 11 event at the Metamora Lions Club. The Center is projecting net profits of $43,474 from the Camel Races. This is a record-setting year for the event.

Edging out the rest of the caravan of camels was Albar Industries who won the coveted honor of “Best Dressed Camel 2024.” The Albar camel was stunningly decorated as a Harry Potter thestral, consistent with the “Magical Creatures” theme. The Judge’s Choice Award this year went to K’s Auto and Truck Service.

The Center is especially grateful to the three top sponsors at the races—ChoiceOne Bank, Legacy Metal Services, and Northwestern Mutual (Cassabon/ Hummel). Other premier camel sponsors included Albar Industries, ELGA Credit Union, H & H Tool, View Newspaper Group, Security Credit Union, Imlay City Rotary, and Woodchips BBQ. The remaining camel level sponsors were Exit Realty, Lapeer Rotary Club, K’s Auto, Medstar Ambulance, Lapeer Optimists, Kapala Heating and Cooling, the Lawrence Family, Kiwanis Club of Lapeer, Mattina, Kent & Gibbons, Doctors of Physical Therapy, and Milnes Auto Group. Program advertising sponsors also contributed to the bottom line of the event and their support is greatly appreciated.

These funds raised at this event will be used to support the programs offered by the Center. So far in 2024, fifty-two of their students have earned their GED. This is a life-altering accomplishment that opens so many doors. Many more students are in the process of earning their GED. The Center offers tutoring, practice tests, support, and guidance. Students can earn their GED with no out-of-pocket costs. They can also get support and referrals to training, employment, and college programs.

Adult students may also work on improving reading and math skills or may participate in their English as a Second Language tutoring program. And, because of their partnership with the Lapeer District Library, the Center is able to offer child tutoring programs, focusing on second and third graders who are reading below grade level as well as school- readiness and skill-building workshops.

Volunteers are always needed. The Center deeply appreciates the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who helped make the 2024 camel races the most successful ever for the Center. Volunteers can help in many ways including fundraising, tutoring, serving on the board or a committee, cleaning the office, answering phones, maintenance, and much more.

Executive Director, Mary Shelton, stated, “We are so grateful to all our sponsors, donors, and volunteers. They make our programs possible and help change people’s lives in our community.”

Shelton also stated that the Family Literacy Center has a unique opportunity. An anonymous donor has offered to match business and individual donations in the 4th quarter of 2024. The donor would match up to $15,000 in donations, plus an additional $1,000 from new donors. These funds would help support and expand services in our community.

The Center has been providing services in our community since 1980 and has previously won the Governor’s Service Award for Outstanding Volunteer Organization. For more information about the Center or the programs offered, please contact them at ican@readlapeer.org or 810-664-2737. Check out their website at www.readlapeer.org. Their office is located at 311 Higgins St. in downtown Lapeer.

— Family Literacy Center
Lapeer
810-664-2737