Former Teacher, Founder of Made in Michigan Movement Launches Free "Made in Michigan" Community Fundraising Program

WATERFORD, MI October 31, 2010 (Press-News.org) The Made in Michigan Movement today announced the launch of the Made in Michigan Marketplace fundraising program. The free fundraising program is entirely Michigan-based and will allow Michigan schools, community groups and other organizations to raise funds while supporting the state's small business community. Designed by a former Michigan schoolteacher, the Made in Michigan Marketplace features a catalog including more than a dozen of Michigan's finest consumer products from businesses located around the state.

"In the Made in Michigan Marketplace, I'm combining my experience as a teacher and school fundraising coordinator with my passion for helping Michigan businesses and community organizations," said Made in Michigan Movement Founder and CEO Neil Yaremchuk. "This is a simple fundraising opportunity that can benefit anyone from high school marching bands and scout troops to churches, youth groups and even individuals looking to raise money for family or friends in times of need. All proceeds benefit Michigan community organizations and the Michigan businesses that will drive our state's economic future."

For additional information, or to enroll, group leaders may visit http://madeinmichiganmovement.com/marketplace, e-mail info@madeinmichiganmovement.com or call (586) 783-9487.

The inaugural Made in Michigan Marketplace fundraising period will begin Nov. 10, 2010 and will conclude in early December. Participating groups can use this time to take advantage of the holiday shopping season and work to secure funds prior to holiday breaks. Product orders will be delivered the second week of December.

In its initial phase, the program is open to any school or community group in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties. Plans call for expansion of the Made in Michigan Marketplace to other regions of the state beginning in 2011 as the program grows into a true statewide initiative. Groups do not have to hold 501(c)(3) status to participate.

Showcasing Michigan products and supporting Michigan companies
The catalog at the heart of the Made in Michigan Marketplace program includes a range of products produced in the state of Michigan by Michigan-based companies that meet strict requirements established by the Made in Michigan Movement. Products include caramel corn, sauces, soaps, coffee, candles, cooking mixes, dressings and other items selected to have universal appeal to Michigan customers.

Many products are all natural. All Made in Michigan Marketplace products are priced under $15.

"The companies and products featured in the Made in Michigan Marketplace catalog were hand-selected by my team from hundreds of options statewide," Yaremchuk said. "Fundraisers are assured the products they are selling are among the best Michigan has to offer and are produced by companies that truly exemplify the spirit of the Made in Michigan Movement."

Michigan companies with products included in the first Made in Michigan Marketplace catalog come from all over the state. They are:
• Bon-A-Rose Foods, New Hudson, Mich., http://www.bonarosefoods.com
• Cafe Cortina, Farmington Hills, Mich., http://www.cafecortina.com
• CompanySoap, Algonac, Mich., http://www.companysoap.com
• Dip Sensations, Bath, Mich., http://www.dipsensations.com
• FSI Group LLC, Warren, Mich., http://www.miicetrays.com
• Hook to Cook, Harrison Township, Mich., http://www.hooktocook.com
• Paramount Coffee, Lansing, Mich., http://www.paramountcoffee.com
Pitt & Company, Rochester Hills, Mich., http://www.ultimatewingsauce.com
• Lac O'Seasons Resort, Iron River, Mich., http://www.schawssauce.com
• Selestial Soap, Traverse City, Mich., http://www.selestialsoap.com
• The Vegetarian Express, South Lyon, Mich., http://www.thevegetarianexpress.com
• Upper Crust Candle Co., Howell, Mich., http://www.uppercrustcandles.com
• Will Cole Chocolates, Clarkston, Mich., http://www.willcolechocolates.com

Additional information on these companies and their products is available at http://www.madeinmichiganmovement.com.

Michigan-based fundraising, simplified
After registering with the Made in Michigan Marketplace, the group coordinator receives catalogs to distribute to group members. The group then has up to two weeks to collect orders from family, friends and co-workers. The Made in Michigan Marketplace does not advocate door-to-door sales.

If a group reaches a predetermined sales minimum, the order is placed and payment is sent to the Made in Michigan Movement. Selling groups can access funds raised immediately upon completion of the sales process. Made in Michigan Movement staff then arrange for the Michigan companies from whom products were ordered to deliver the products to the group coordinators.

Groups may participate in the Made in Michigan Marketplace fundraising program every month for as long as they wish, with no commitment. Fundraising opportunities are available every month of the year.

"Michiganders from Grand Rapids to the Upper Peninsula to Metro Detroit to Lansing and Flint are telling me they want to support the Michigan economy and they want to purchase more from Michigan companies," Yaremchuk said. "The demand is there. The Made in Michigan Marketplace gives community organizations a chance to advance their missions while helping our state's small businesses expand awareness for some of the great things produced right here."

Follow the Made in Michigan Movement on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/madeinmich or join the community on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/madeinmich.

About the Made in Michigan Movement
Based in Waterford, Mich., The Made in Michigan Movement is an action-oriented grassroots network of businesses producing high quality goods and services in the state of Michigan and consumers who feel purchasing from those companies is in the best interest of the state's economic future. With more than 15,000 members, the organization's motto for Michigan consumers is "Earn it here. Spend it here. Keep it here!"

The Made in Michigan Movement donates a percentage of its profits to Michigan nonprofit organizations.

For additional information on the Made in Michigan Movement, visit http://www.madeinmichiganmovement.com or contact Neil Yaremchuk at madeinmichiganinfo@gmail.com.

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