Petoskey church invites community to help build solar kits for Ukraine
Petoskey church invites community to help build solar kits for Ukraine
Janis Reeser | The Petoskey News-Review
A Northern Michigan church is inviting community members to help assemble 100 solar light kits that will be sent to people living without reliable electricity in eastern Ukraine.
The project will take place at 6 p.m. on Aug. 24 in the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey, 501 E. Mitchell St., according to a community announcement. Organizers said no experience is required and participants of all ages are welcome.
The church is partnering with New Vision Renewable Energy, which designed the kits. For the past three years, First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey has assembled the lithium-ion battery packs used in the solar-powered systems.
Church officials said more than 2,500 battery packs have been assembled locally. The church has also helped raise funds and complete final assembly work for kits that are distributed in Ukraine.
“These kits are enormously important to the people in eastern Ukraine,” Pastor Ryan Donahoe said in the announcement. “These people were unable to leave their homes due to age or medical reasons and have been without power for more than three years. With these light kits, they can put the kits out in the sun for eight hours and have 24 hours of light. Additionally, they can charge their cell phones using the light kits.”
Donahoe added that the effort provides a practical way for local residents to help people affected by the war.
“This is a hands-on project for us to show support for those in need. This is not religious or political. This is how individuals here in Petoskey are reaching out across the world to support others. And anyone can come on Aug. 24 and help,” Donahoe said in the announcement.
Church highlights local and international outreach
The assembly effort comes shortly after First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey marked its 150th anniversary on Aug. 9.
The anniversary celebration included recognition of the church’s local and international service work.
“Throughout the 150-year history of church, we have been a vital part of downtown Petoskey,” Donahoe said in the announcement. “Each week, we have more than 500 community members use the facility, whether it is for services on Sunday, or through community meetings and events.”
Church leaders said the congregation shares space with two other faith organizations and has partnered with the Petoskey District Library and Crooked Tree Arts Center.
The church also hosts Alcoholics Anonymous meetings six days each week and has offered free community lunches at noon on Thursdays and Sundays for more than 30 years, according to the announcement.
First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey holds worship services at 9:45 a.m. each week in its sanctuary and through livestreams on its Facebook page.
More information about the church and its outreach programs is available at petoskeypres.org or by calling 231-347-4792.
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