In 2003 a group of community minded individuals with inclusive beliefs and a desire to make a positive impact formed West Shore AWARE. The vision was, and continues to be, to establish a positive path forward by assisting those in need and facilitating education.   The desire is to create community awareness through collaboration and show the positive power created through respect, diversity and understanding. To do this, members of the local gay community and their supporters formed West Shore AWARE. Thanks to our members and all the wonderful individuals and businesses that have supported us, we have raised over $1,200,000 for local 501©3 non-profits and our scholarships funds. In 2023, we donated over $90,000 to 17 local charities and funded the AWARE Scholarship Endowment Fund. The AWARE Scholarship Endowment Fund provides Saugatuck High School students and Grand Valley State University students scholarship opportunities.

We would like to send out a special thank you to The Dunes Resort for their generosity and support and to the community that attends the Sunday Drag Queen Bingo hosted by the Dunes Resorts. On behalf of the West Shore Aware Board of Directors, we would like to humbly and sincerely thank you for your generous support.

As the needs of our neighbors continue and the demands for assistance for our local 501©3 non-profit increases we are grateful that you have chosen to work with us to make a positive impact in our community. We are announcing our 2024 Annual Gala Event – West Shore Derby Downs on Saturday August 17, 2024.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

For those of you that are West Shore AWARE sponsors thank you and please renew your sponsorship for 2024.  For those of you that are not we invite you to become one. West Shore Aware is a non-profit 501©3 organization of LGBTQ+ individuals and their friends living in the West Michigan lakeshore region.  Its mission is to raise funds for local 501©3 charities and groups within the greater lakeshore area along with funding collegiate scholarships at Grand Valley State University and Saugatuck High School.  Our past recipients include such organizations as women’s shelters, art programs, advocacy centers, nutritional programs for children, hospice programs, HIV/AIDS awareness, library needs and national marriage equality to name a few.

Your generosity allows us to raise the funds to meet the needs of our community. We thank you for your current and future support. Your support assists our local neighbors in need and creates educational opportunities to enrich their lives and benefit our local community.

Sincerely,

Ian Mills, President of West Shore AWARE

Sponsor Levels for 2024 are:

• Platinum – Over $5,000
• Gold – $2,500 to $4,999
• Silver – $1,000 to $2,499
• Bronze – $500 to $999
• Copper – $150 to $499

In 2003 a group of community minded individuals with inclusive beliefs and a desire to make a positive impact formed West Shore AWARE. The vision was, and continues to be, to establish a positive path forward by assisting those in need and facilitating education.   The desire is to create community awareness through collaboration and show the positive power created through respect, diversity and understanding. To do this, members of the local gay community and their supporters formed West Shore AWARE. Thanks to our members and all the wonderful individuals and businesses that have supported us, we have raised over $1,000,000 for local 501©3 non-profits and our scholarships funds. In 2022, we donated over $69,000 to 17 local charities and funded the AWARE Scholarship Endowment Fund. The AWARE Scholarship Endowment Fund provides Saugatuck High School students and Grand Valley State University students scholarship opportunities.

We would like to send out a special thank you to The Dunes Resort for their generosity and support and to the community that attends the Sunday Drag Queen Bingo hosted by the Dunes Resorts. On behalf of the West Shore Aware Board of Directors, we would like to humbly and sincerely thank you for your generous support.

As the needs of our neighbors continue and the demands for assistance for our local 501©3 non-profit increases we are grateful that you have chosen to work with us to make a positive impact in our community. We are excited to announce our 2023 Annual Gala Event 20th Anniversary “A Rainbow Reunion” Saturday, August 19, 2023. Please mark your calendar, save the date! Tickets will be available in June.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

For those of you that are West Shore AWARE sponsors thank you and please renew your sponsorship for 2023.  For those of you that are not we invite you to become one. West Shore Aware is a non-profit 501©3 organization of LGBTQ+ individuals and their friends living in the West Michigan lakeshore region.  Its mission is to raise funds for local 501©3 charities and groups within the greater lakeshore area along with funding collegiate scholarships at Grand Valley State University and Saugatuck High School.  Our past recipients include such organizations as women’s shelters, art programs, advocacy centers, nutritional programs for children, hospice programs, HIV/AIDS awareness, library needs and national marriage equality to name a few.

Your generosity allows us to raise the funds to meet the needs of our community. We thank you for your current and future support. Your support assists our local neighbors in need and creates educational opportunities to enrich their lives and benefit our local community.

Sincerely,

Paul Hix, President of West Shore AWARE