Click here for a summary of some of ACT NOW’s Annual Programs & Projects ACT NOW Programs & Projects 2024.
GERRISH TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM
Trained volunteers ready to be deployed when called upon. They receive 20 hours of basic training to become certified members who can help the community by providing critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims, providing damage assessment information and organizing other volunteers at disaster sites. They hold annual meetings, exercises and training under the direct supervision of the Gerrish Township Police Department. The CERT team is also trained to assist the local and state emergency services and perform such duties as shelter support, crowd control, evacuations, traffic safety, first aid and search and rescue.
KIDS HELPING KIDS PROGRAM
This is an annual program that furnishes gifts and a holiday meal for approximately 50-60 foster children and their families at Christmas. We partner with the local Department of Health & Human Services and provide a little extra for the foster children as the State only provides a $25 gift card for each child during the holidays. Kids from our local schools, youth groups and organizations volunteer to shop for the gifts and wrap the gifts which are then delivered to the foster families by DHHS staff before Christmas.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
ACT NOW awards two $1,000 scholarships each year to Roscommon High School graduating seniors. The scholarships are based on GPA, community service and need. The scholarship emphasizes the value and importance of community service as seen through the eyes of the youth applicants. The scholarship program was established in 2008. For more information, application and a complete list of past recipients click on the photo icon.
SHOP-WITH-A-COP PROGRAM
Since 2002, Gerrish Township Police Department and ACT NOW have partnered in sponsoring the SWAC Program. The families are selected through an application process and one child from each family will shop with Officers for gifts for their family members. The gifts are wrapped, tagged and delivered to the families just before Christmas. This is not only a way to give to those in need but to also encourage positive law enforcement interaction with the children. To date, we have brightened the holiday season for 168 families including 583 children and 279 adults.
TRUNK OR TREAT
Gerrish Township Police Department and ACT NOW held their first Trunk or Treat event in 2008. This is an annual event that occurs on Halloween night every year and is a huge, safe community event for children and families. Participants can decorate their trunks and set up at the Gerrish Township municipal complex and pass out candy to hundreds of kids. ACT NOW supplements candy if you run short and the trunks are also judged and win prizes in three different categories: Most Creative Trunk, Scariest Trunk & Best Decorated Trunk. There is also a random participation drawing for all trunk participants.
GERRISH TOWNSHIP PUBLIC SAFETY FUND
This fund supports the Gerrish Township Public Safety Services (Police, Fire, EMS) with helping to sponsor public safety programs and projects such as the CERT team with their Trailer Project, the Fire Fighter Safety Education Trailer, Annual Fire Safety Week for school aged children, and the Police Department’s Drug Drop Box, Child Safety Car Seats, and AED Refurbishment Project just to name a few.
