Michigan educators’ dedication to students and families often goes beyond the school walls, as shown by actions of MEA members this holiday season.

Livonia

At Churchill High School, the holidays begin with an unmistakable sound: the steady clatter of cans piling higher and higher by students and educators. Each year, Churchill’s annual canned food drive brings in tens of thousands of donations that has become a lifeline for the local food bank.

Guiding the effort is Paul Mercier, a Livonia Education Association member and former Churchill student who took part in the annual drive. Today, as the school’s Activities Director, he is the heart and architect of the operation — inspiring students, motivating staff, and keeping the tradition thriving with creativity, school spirit, and a deep commitment to service.

Under Mercier’s leadership, the drive has grown beyond a seasonal activity; it’s become a defining piece of Churchill’s identity. It teaches students that giving is not just a gesture — it’s a responsibility, a joy, and a powerful way to strengthen the community they call home.

Godfrey-Lee

Katherine Merriott identified a need in her community this holiday season and took action. The Godfrey-Lee Education Association president and her union colleagues donated $1,000 to help ensure families in their West Michigan community can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.

Merriott coordinated the effort through the Kent School Services Network to fund Thanksgiving baskets, each equipped with a full holiday meal. The local union’s effort funded 16 Thanksgiving baskets that included handwritten cards from Godfrey-Lee union members. The Kent School Services Network delivered the baskets to the local families on Nov. 25.

In addition to the baskets, each of the families received a Meijer gift card to purchase perishable items.

“We thought, ‘Now is the time to really consider what we can do to support our students,’” Merriott recalled. “I think it’s going to have a strong impact. Sixteen families are going to have a meal they otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Lansing

In light of federal funding cutbacks and uncertainty for food security programs during the recent government shutdown, members across the mid-Michigan area participated in a “We Care Campaign” drive for food and toiletry items during November.

“Teachers and school support staff in the Greater Lansing community are extremely concerned about the government shutdown and how it’s harming everyday families, and this is a way for us as MEA members to help our fellow union members in need,” said Chuck Alberts, president of the Lansing Schools Education Association.

Thanks to donations, 21 care packages benefiting a total of 89 individuals were put together and delivered before Thanksgiving.

MEA Staff & Retirees

MEA employees – past and present – work to do their part as well, raising nearly $20,000 per year to support families in need around the state.

In the 36 years since its inception, MEA’s Holiday Raffle has raised nearly $550,000 to support various charities and organizations across Michigan, including adopting families for the holidays through Volunteers of America.

Aside from gathering prize donations and selling tickets, volunteers will shop for and wrap gifts for families in December to ensure families in need have a happy holiday season.