Friends of the Apostle Islands and you: the art of making a difference

Dale Whittaker painting cropped close-up

December 4, 2024

A letter from our Executive Directors

Dear Friend,

With so many good causes out there this time of the year, how do you decide which organizations to support? Well, making a difference is an art. As you plan your charitable gift-giving this holiday season, we hope you will consider:

Giving to support the a place you love: the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is one of only three national lakeshores in the country, “a unique collection of islands” according to Gaylord Nelson, the founder of Earth Day and sponsor of the 1970 legislation to create the national lakeshore.

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Giving to a group that makes your contribution grow: This year Friends partnered with the group “Double the Donation” to help guide contributors through the process of receiving Employer Matching contributions from their places of employment.

Giving to a group that gets things done: “We made an investment and things got done,” say Peter Tropman and Virginia Graves, longtime Friends supporters. “Friends is a dedicated and competent organization to work with and they continue to grow.”

In 2024 alone Friends of the Apostle Islands:

Jeff Rennicke holding a yellow buoy as we prepare for deployment

Jeff Rennicke and Wave Watch buoy

Northern lights over Honeymoon Rock - Jeff Rennicke photo

Northern Lights over Honeymoon Rock

Volunteers tend Michigan island gardens

Tending Michigan Island gardens

Dale Whittaker paints during the annual Friends cruise - Jon Okerstrom photo

Painter Dale Whittaker

Giving to a group that cares about others: With Accessibility one of the pillars of our organization, Friends of the Apostle Islands is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to our park from our AA-rated accessible website to the largest capital campaign in our organization’s history to help replace the 45-step stairway at Meyers Beach with an all-accessible ramp. “As a Senior Girl Scout, Waterfront Director with 52 years of supporting children and adults with various abilities,” says Friends supporter Janet Sternat, “I know that accessibility brings about the ability to behold the wonder of the natural world. That is why I support Friends of the Apostle Islands working to make the impossible possible and the possible easier for all abilities.”

Navigating the current Meyers Beach stairs

Navigating the existing Meyers Beach stairs

Kayers prepare to paddle to the mainland sea caves at Meyers Beach

Paddlers prepare to visit the mainland sea caves

Giving to an organization where you can see results: “You see those charities on TV and you never know if your donation goes to what you intended,” says Friends supporter Paul Blanchard, “With Access for All I can see directly what my donation went to and see the difference it made.”

Friends presentation at the accessible Stockton Island amphitheater

Presque Isle amphitheater

Friends of the Apostle Islands, in its twenty-two-year history, has contributed over $1 million dollars in support of projects of the National Park Service in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, projects you can see – from the amphitheater on Stockton Island to bear boxes at your campsite and Wave Watch data reports on your cell phone to keep you safe.

Friends of the Apostle Islands and you. That is the art of making a difference.

Thank you for considering Friends of the Apostle Islands this holiday season.

Sincerely,

 

Jeff and Jill Rennicke signature

Jeff & Jill Rennicke, Executive Directors

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