Grosse Pointe Fish Project Ends with $30K Gift to SOC

The Grosse Pointe Fish that dotted the landscape of the five communities last summer raised more than $80,000, of which $30,000 was donated to Services for Older Citizens.

Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce representatives recently presented a check to SOC's Executive Director Sharon Maier for $30,000. Maier said to Patch that the money will go to help pay for social work services within the organization. 

Previously the federal government funded the social work positions but now it is run on donations only, Maier said via email. Social workers are able to meet with residents to provide information and assistance, she said. 

The Grosse Pointe Fish project was created to benefit SOC as well as the Chamber Foundation. Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Boettcher said the money will go to help fund some new initiatives the organization has taken on, including the Grosse Pointe Parade. 

The Chamber will also be creating a Grosse Pointe resource guide--a tool Boettcher said has never existed. The guide will provide information about local business and will be intended to help stimulate business from within the Pointes but also draw from beyond the Pointes, Boettcher said. 

The Fish project featured 51 perch decorated by artists and sponosored by local businesses and families. The fish were on display throughout the Pointes during the summer and then auctioned off in October for the fundraising portion of the project.

The Chamber also had several events and activities related to the Fish to spur community interest and participation, including the People's Choice Awards, a public unveiling at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House and a community map detailing the locations of every fish. 

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