Mary DeWys, left, with Wally Cain of Men Who Care, and Fred DeWys.
AMBER TOWNSHIP — Men Who Care of Mason County recently donated $3,150 to Hand 2 Hand, a program of Mason County Reformed Church that provides food and supplies to children and families in the Mason County Central and Mason County Eastern school districts.
The donation was presented during a check presentation this week after Hand 2 Hand was selected as the recipient during the organization’s May meeting. Fifty-five members contributed to the donation.
Hand 2 Hand serves more than 140 children from preschool through 12th grade each week through packages of food and essential supplies. The program was founded in 2012 by the late Pastor Rick Van Haitsma of Mason County Reformed Church. Following his death in 2013, Mary DeWys assumed leadership of the program and has overseen its continued growth.
Initially serving a dozen elementary students, the program now reaches children throughout both school districts and is expanding its support to high school students. Volunteers assist with packing and delivering weekly food packages, while many also participate in the church’s Kids Hope mentoring program.
According to DeWys, the program’s mission extends beyond feeding individual children.
“That was very important to Pastor Rick,” DeWys previously said. “This is a program that is meant to benefit and strengthen families.”
Men Who Care of Mason County was founded in 2025. During quarterly meetings, attendees nominate local nonprofit organizations for consideration. Three organizations are selected at random to make five-minute presentations, and members vote to determine the recipient. Each participant pledges $50 to the organization chosen by the group.
Since its founding, Men Who Care of Mason County has donated more than $18,700 to local charitable organizations. Previous recipients include Childhood Cancer Campaign, Friends of Ludington Police’s Shop with a Cop/Hero program, Hospitality INC, H.E.L.P. Ministries and Lakeshore Children’s Advocacy Center.
“Thanks to all who donated,” organizers said in a statement. “Together we continue to make a difference.”
Upcoming Men Who Care of Mason County meetings will be held at 5:30 p.m. at People’s Church, 115 W. Loomis St., Ludington, on Aug. 4, Nov. 3, Feb. 2, 2027, and May 4, 2027.
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