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Men Club has a long history of service, still going strong

The Men Club building the community ice rink in Wurster Park. File photo courtesy of Manchester Men Club.

by Marsha Chartrand

More than 40 years ago — 1981, specifically — the Manchester Men Club (MMC) was founded as a dedicated nonprofit organization with the goal of supporting and benefiting the Manchester community. According to president Nathan Smith, in the intervening 40-plus years, “We have grown into a recognized 501(c)(3) organization and earned that designation in 2024, which has allowed us to further enhance our impact. Our mission is to raise funds and offer volunteer services to a variety of local groups, including athletic teams, community clubs, and organizations of all kinds.”

Current activities and fundraisers are as varied as the Ice Rink and Skating Party, Euchre Tournament & Sportsman Raffle; Easter Egg Hunt; MAYS Opening Day hotdogs; Rototilling Gardens; Community Garden Setup / Maintenance / Winterization; providing manpower for Manchester Brewing Beer Tent Events, Fireworks show, and Beer Tent; Manchester Mayhem Hotdog Cook for School; Corn Roast at the Farmers Market; Chain Gang for Varsity Football; MMC Golf Outing; and the annual Christmas Tree Sale.

And next year, new to MMC, they’re taking on the 2026 River Raisin Canoe & Kayak Race, which was recently announced! A long-standing Manchester tradition was preserved for its 60th year when the MMC agreed to host and organize this event moving forward.

In recent years, MMC members have rolled up their sleeves to install and maintain the new fencing around the community gardens; helped to re-roof the Chi-Bro Park pavilion; helped to remove old shingles for re-roofing the Old Athletic Field pavilion roof; and lead liaison for the MEC / City partnership to refurbish the Carr Park baseball field. And coming right up: The Men Club is planning to help with construction of a Grant / Chicken Broil–funded Green House at the elementary school.

Cash always helps, too!

“Clubs and organizations that we directly supported this year included Band, Music Boosters, MAYS, Emanuel United Church of Christ, Manchester Township Fire Department, Girls’ Basketball, Lamb Club, Steer Club, Swine Club, Bunny Club, Boys’ Baseball, Manchester Family Services, Manchester Speedway Reunion Car Show, Middle School Cheer, Manchester Rolling Dutch Bike Team, Pistol Prodigies, Co-Op Preschool, Manchester FIRST Robotics, Track Team, and the Wrestling Team,” Smith said. “We’ve also been known to support other teams and organizations such as Girls’ Volleyball, Equestrian Team, Football Team, Manchester CRC, Masonic Lodge, Manchester Sportsman Club, the Manchester American Legion, and Manchester Young Guns.”

That a pretty big list. But the Men want to make a pretty good-sized flash. In 2024, the MMC made nearly $38,000 worth of donations to these various organizations and causes.

Each year, fireworks are brought to you by the Manchester Men Club. Mirror file photo by Sara Swanson.

In addition, nearly 5,000 hours of community service are volunteered by the group of almost 50 active members. It been said that for every hour of recorded volunteer hours logged, they’ve neglected to record another.

“The club is growing and strong, but we can always use more active members,” Smith concluded. “We’ve recently enacted a mentorship program for new volunteers to become members of the Manchester Men Club. The requirements are for an active member to sponsor, attendance required at three members’ meetings, and three events.” Check out their event-filled Facebook page to learn more.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.