By Jennifer Champagne
For nearly three decades, Christi Ryan has dedicated herself to the education and well-being of Manistique’s youth. This year, her efforts culminated in the Gear Up Gala, a back-to-school event held on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event provided essential supplies, clothing, and haircuts to local students. Taking place at Manistique High School, the First Baptist Church, and the Cutting Crew – the Gear Up Gala demonstrated the power of community collaboration and the impact one person can have when they rally others around a common cause.
Ryan’s journey began long before the Gear Up Gala. A seasoned educator, she has spent 28 years in the classroom, the last five at the middle school level. Her commitment to her students extends beyond teaching social studies; it’s about instilling civic responsibility and the importance of community service. “Our responsibility as human beings is to make contributions to our society,” Ryan said. “It’s a way to weave in something near and dear to my heart, which is public service.”
This drive to make a difference led to the creation of the Helpful Hotspot, a student-led project that Ryan initiated to help peers access necessities like clothing, toiletries, and other essentials. “I take the top kids who are always done with everything and want to do more with themselves and their time,” Ryan explained. These students, known as the leadership team, pitched the idea for the Helpful Hotspot to school leaders and community organizations, turning an empty classroom into a vital resource for the student body.
Since its inception, the Helpful Hotspot has been a lifeline for many students and their families. In its first year, the Hotspot logged over 370 visits, with more than 250 visits in the second year. The community has been instrumental in providing donations, with students and trusted school staff ensuring the resources are distributed discreetly and with care. “It could be a girl who needs feminine hygiene products or a mom who comes in and leaves with two garbage bags full of clothing for her family. We’re here to help in whatever way we can,” Ryan said.
Dr. Kristina Hansen, Superintendent of Manistique Middle/High School, praised the Helpful Hotspot as a transformative initiative. “The space has been an absolute lifesaver for many families,” Hansen said. “Last year, we had families who experienced fires, and they could come to the Hotspot and shop without worrying about paying. It’s not just clothes—we have toiletries, special occasion dresses, and feminine hygiene items that support students in all kinds of situations.”
The success of the Helpful Hotspot quickly became evident, as the initiative outgrew its original space due to the overwhelming community support and the high demand from students in need. The sheer volume of donations, from clothing to toiletries, led to the need for a larger, more organized location. This success inspired Ryan to think even bigger, leading to the creation of the Gear Up Gala. With an abundance of donations and a strong desire to support her students on a larger scale, Ryan and her team of volunteers organized the event to ensure that no child would start the school year unprepared.
The Gear Up Gala was a massive undertaking that saw contributions from across the community:
- Over 100 pairs of brand-new, name-brand tennis shoes were given away, with 38 more pairs to be ordered through a generous donation.
- 150 students received backpacks, school supplies, and dinner at the First Baptist Church.
- Over 80 families and 160 children visited the high school for new and used clothing, tennis shoes, school supplies, and other giveaways.
- Eight stylists gave 50 haircuts in just two hours.
- Approximately 40 businesses, organizations, and churches contributed to the cause.
- Over 70 volunteers helped make the event a success.
One of those volunteers was Shannon Shoemaker, Branch Manager at Nicolet Bank. “We are motivated to help where we can in order to keep Manistique an amazing place to live and work,” Shoemaker said. Nicolet Bank collected school supplies for older students and assisted at the haircut station. “The response from the parents and students was overwhelmingly positive,” she added.
The Cutting Crew, a local salon, played a crucial role in the event. Karen Ackley and Julie Baker, co-owners of the salon, along with stylists Abbi Popour, Amber Ackley, Caroline Rodrigues, Jennifer Chartier, Jennifer Lancour, Lindsay Burton, Tauri Hardwick, as well as Lindsey Burton and Caroline Rodrigues from Reputations Salon, provided free haircuts to students. “It was a very pleasant atmosphere, and everyone was having a good time,” Ackley said. “We would definitely do this again; it made all of us stylists feel really good that we could make so many kids happy.”
Julie Baker added, “I’m so proud of how the girls came together to make a difference. We’re already planning to make next year even better.”
Amber Ackley, one of the stylists at the Cutting Crew who provided haircuts for the event, reflected on the experience. “It was complete chaos, but seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces made it all worth it,” she said.
Ryan’s husband, Rob Ryan, who owns the Apple Barrel convenience store, also praised his wife’s efforts. “Christi is just a very special person who has done so much for our community,” he said. “She’s earned the trust and respect of everyone here, and that’s why so many people were willing to step up and help.”
Dr. Kristina Hansen echoed Rob’s sentiment, acknowledging Ryan’s extraordinary ability to inspire those around her. “Christi is a powerhouse of enthusiasm, positivity, and innovative ideas. Her kind heart and deep connections in the community are the perfect spark to get things moving. She’s passionate about helping others, and her energy is contagious,” Hansen said. “She leads by example, always engaging students and asking how to improve the Helpful Hotspot. Christi is constantly looking for ways to enrich the school and district culture in meaningful ways.”
The Gear Up Gala’s success was not just in the numbers but in the lasting impact it had on the community. The event ensured that every child started the school year with the supplies they needed, but it also fostered a sense of unity and care that will resonate throughout the year.
At the same time, another significant contribution was made by Jennifer Watson, CEO of Limestone Federal Credit Union. Although Watson was not directly involved in the Gear Up Gala, she spearheaded her own initiative to provide essential school supplies to elementary students in Manistique.
“As a financial institution that works closely with families in the community, we are acutely aware of the challenges many face in the current economic climate,” Watson said. Limestone FCU identified key items such as bleach wipes, paper towels, Ticonderoga pencils, and Expo dry-erase markers, which were then distributed directly to classrooms. “The response from families was overwhelmingly positive,” Watson added. “Many shared that this was the first time they didn’t have to worry about balancing the cost of groceries or gas along with school supplies.”
Watson’s efforts reached over 300 students, and she believes the long-term impact will be profound. “By easing the financial burden on families, we hope to create a more positive and focused school experience for these students,” she said.
Looking ahead, both Ryan and Watson plan to continue their efforts, ensuring that the Manistique community remains strong, supportive, and united in the face of challenges. The Gear Up Gala and Limestone FCU’s supply drive are testaments to the power of community collaboration and the incredible difference that can be made when people come together with a shared purpose.
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