The Highlands recently awarded $115,000 from its Chairs for Chair-ity auction with funds donated to two northern Michigan organizations. The Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation received $75,000 supporting the first-ever Harbor Springs SK8 Park Fund, and

Habitat for Humanity was awarded $40,000 to aid housing crisis efforts in northern Michigan.

The monies came from the sale of over 200 chairs from the resort’s Valley, Camelot, and MacGully lifts that went on sale last month and sold out in mere days with purchasers able to take home a piece of ski history.

The Highlands sold the chairs in preparation for the install of Camelot 6, a six-person, high-speed Doppelmayr D-Line bubble chairlift opening for the coming 2023/24 winter season.  The new lift is the first of its kind in the Midwest, and construction is currently underway.

“We are very fortunate to operate a business in this wonderful community,” said Mike Chumbler, president and general manager of The Highlands.  “There are so many great organizations making a difference, and we are excited to be able align ourselves with the SK8 Park Fund and Habitat for Humanity and support their efforts.  Through the generosity of our supporters, we’re proud to donate these funds that will have an impact locally.”

The Harbor Springs SK8 Park Fund was the dream of the late Ted Swarthout who had a vision to create an Evergreen concrete skate park in Harbor Springs. The City of Harbor Springs Department of Parks and Recreation is planning significant renovations to the park, following Ted’s vision, and to make the SK8 Park a reality, the Harbor Springs SK8 Park Fund was established as a special project fund of the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.  Learn more about the Sk8 Park at hssk8park.wordpress.com.

“We are beyond grateful for this opportunity to partner with The Highlands to bring our skatepark vision to life and support youth recreation within our community,” said Rachel Roon, Harbor Springs park and recreation director.  “This donation will help give a safe space to congregate and build on life skills that will create bright futures for our youth. It is partnerships like this that make this area so special.”

Habitat for Humanity is a valuable resource helping local families build and improve the places they call home.  The Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity is working earnestly to address the housing crisis in northern Michigan by increasing capacity by 400% to build 43 homes by 2025 in Emmet and Charlevoix counties.  The support of NMHFH not only impacts home building, but also economy, environment, and education, all while building community and hope for a local family.  Learn more at northwestmihabitat.org.

“The Highlands is one of the area’s largest employers and it means so much to receive support from a company with such an impact on our community,” said Miranda Fisher, development officer for the Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity. “We want to thank each and every person who gained a chair through this initiative for making a difference in our community and bringing hope to individual families as they move toward homeownership.”

For more information on The Highlands, visit highlandsharborsprings.com. 

About The Highlands
The Highlands offers an idyllic setting in charming Harbor Springs, Mich.  The resort is a family-owned destination providing the ultimate northern Michigan experience served with heartfelt hospitality.  For nearly 60 years, The Highlands has enriched the moment for vacationing guests with its all-season allure.  The Highlands is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions.  To learn more, visit highlandsharborsprings.com.