Frankenmuth

Making the City Beautiful Though it may look like elves decorate the City for Christmas, it actually is a group of volunteers called the City Beautification Committee. The group was established by the City Council in 1955. Wally Bronner, originator of Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, was a charter member of the City Beautification Committee. Bronner loved to say that no man stood taller than when he bent down to pick up a piece of trash! It is this sort of commitment to local community character and quality of life that drives the City Beautification Committee. This group not only spearheads fundraising, planning and installation of Christmas decorations, but works to ensure that Frankenmuth's beauty matches its standing as a four season destination and 24/7 hometown. In every one of its 63 years, the committee works to secure annual donations which pay for hanging baskets, seasonal flowers, flags and banners, and holiday and Christmas decorations. Of the approximately $100,000 needed each year, about $70,000 comes from donations from local residents, businesses and friends of Frankenmuth. In 2017, the committee received a generous gift of Christmas displays. You may have seen these new displays at the City's west entrance at Dehmel and Genesee, the Visitor Center, Weiss and Jefferson and the park near Jefferson and Flint. Individual businesses including the Frankenmuth Credit Union, Uptown North Main, Mid-town Shoppes and Frankenmuth Jellystone Park adopted and funded other displays for their locations. Through the generosity of the McClellan family, more than 80 trees twinkled with LED lights along Main Street. Frankenmuth was more beautiful than ever this past Christmas season. This only happens because of the financial and in-kind goodwill of groups and individuals. Where once the committee relied on volunteer labor (thank you Women's Club and others who planted miles of petunias once upon a time), now we rely on Department of Public Works and outside contractors to do the heavy lifting because of the abundance of beautification efforts. The City is reimbursed for every man and machine hour and supply purchased on our behalf. Still, the Beautification Committee can always use volunteers for the board and committees, planning, working and building projects. To volunteer, please contact us at City Hall – 989- 652-9901 or by email at sstamiris@frankenmuthcity.com or bsmith@frankenmuthcity.com. If you would like to donate, there is no minimum donation amount. Donations can be mailed to City Hall, 240 W. Genesee or you can donate online by visiting frankenmuthcity.com/beautification. And, be sure to like us on Facebook. Photo by Grand Space Media 8

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