An active member of the community in more ways than one, Empire resident Kathy Cole uses much of her time to volunteer in Leelanau County — whether it be as the current Glen Lake Women’s Club president, or as a volunteer with the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Just like the motto of the women’s club states, “if you wish to live in a better place, better the place in which you live.” It’s something Cole and other members of the local nonprofit believe is important and is why they continue to do what they do.
“And that’s (the motto) what makes all of our decisions of what we do,” Cole said. “So we do things in our community that support our community and especially our children… I feel lucky to live here and I feel it’s important to make our community a better place and to share our talents and ourselves with our community.”
Although Cole grew up downstate, she’s always had family that lived up north in Frankfort, so she was familiar with the area before relocating. She attended Oakland University to study education and reading, and would later find work as a kindergarten teacher, writer, and editor for children’s educational products at Golden Books. In addition, Cole served as communication and fund development director for the Girl Scouts. Cole said all of her full-time jobs allowed her to support educational opportunities for young people, an important goal of hers throughout the years.
“My college and graduate work is in education and specifically teaching reading, so education is just very important to me for all students and for everyone,” she said.
Cole and her husband decided to move to Empire in 2014, where she would find part-time work as the bookkeeper for the Glen Arbor Cherry Republic store. Participating with groups like the Glen Lake’s Women’s Club was also a way for Cole to meet others in her community that shared similar interests.
“When I moved here I didn’t know anybody, so I’d go to the women’s club,” she said. “When you join a nonprofit group and they all have a mission to make the community better, you’re with likeminded people that have a common goal… Volunteering is a great way to meet interesting people, learn new skills, and make a difference in your community.”
The biggest fundraiser for the Glen Lake’s Women’s Club is the art fair every July, with the funds going towards Glen Lake Community School graduating seniors that attend a trade school or Northwest Michigan College. Through this effort, Cole said they’re sometimes able to help a lot of first generation college students on their educational journey.
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes has been another way for Cole to meet people and support the park. When she first moved to Leelanau County a decade ago, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes volunteer and recruiter Marie Scott gave Cole a tour of opportunities available in Glen Haven. It was during that tour that Cole came across the local blacksmith shop, where she met Kerry Kelly, and learned everything she could about the craft.
“I look at the opportunity (to volunteer) you have to learn something. I wouldn’t have known how to blacksmith, but I got some training from Kerry, and then I’m in there learning how to build a 3,000 degree fire and bending metal…” she said. “It was really fun, and now every year, there are women doing it. One of my favorite experiences when doing it was I was in there working by myself, and in came a whole group of middle school girl campers. When they could see a female doing something that would normally be a male activity, it’s just empowering to them.”
Cole said the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes recently received recognition for 30 years of support at the national park. They also have a published book, “Picture Perfect Sleeping Bear,” which is divided into three parts and covers the history of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, to help raise funds to continue supporting the organization.
“From litter clean up, trail grooming, visitor education, and accessibility initiatives, the Friends’ volunteers help visitors to the park have a safe, positive experience,” she said.
Cole said it’s ultimately the people that she’s met since moving here that makes Leelanau a great place to live.
“I have met so many talented and generous people since moving to Empire full-time 10 years ago,” she said. “I feel really lucky to be living in this beautiful area. I’ll be at the Empire Artisan Marketplace the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Visit the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes booth and holiday shop for a cause while supporting your local community. I hope to meet you there.”
To inquire about volunteer opportunities with the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, go to friendsofsleepingbear.org. For more information about the Glen Lake’s Women’s Club, people can email [email protected].
