Chassell Women’s Club Vice President Friederike Gast presents a $500 check to Chassell Superintendent Marco Guidotti. The funds will go toward the school’s band program. (Ben Garbacz/Daily Mining Gazette)

CHASSELL — The Chassell Women’s Club held a meeting at Chassell Township School Wednesday. The Club made a $500 donation to one of the school’s programs. The Club is looking to take a more active role and contribute more to the Chassell community. The Club decided to reach out to the local school and begin further relations.

“We have a group of almost 30 women that are part of the community, that are looking for ways to help and potentially volunteer,” Kim Goffinet of the club said. “And the school was a good place to start. It’s a good way to help bind our group, even to have a common purpose, to come together and hopefully get more interest in our group and to see the things that we’re doing that are positive in the community.”

The meeting began with presentations from students and faculty of the several programs that were in the school and what future aspirations for the programs entailed. The Chassell School representatives shared insight into programs such as Berry and Blend. The program is affiliated with an entrepreneurial class which teaches students about starting and maintaining a business. Berry and Blend is a student-run cafè that is open once or twice a week and offers an assortment of drinks and bakery treats.

Another program that was highlighted was the glowforge, which lets students try their hand at making laser cutouts and carvings into wood. Students have produced several trinkets such as keychains and ornaments that have been crafted by a laser device. However the machine needs more wood in order for the program to have continuous use.

The school’s Reading Month was also touched upon, in which students receive incentives or rewards for reaching reading goals for each month. The items that could be pulled from the program are always in need of replenishment.

The program that was discussed the most in-depth however was the school’s band. Membership in the band has increased and when an instrument inventory was taken, it was discovered that several instruments were in disrepair. The instruments are either in need of repair or replacement.

When all of the programs were discussed and club members had questions answered by School Superintendent Marco Guidotti, the Club voted for the program they wished to assist.

The vote came between Reading Month incentives, glowforge supplies or the band. The band program won the vote amongst the Club members in a landslide tally. Once the band won the vote, a check was given to Guidotti. He said that he will be discussing how the funds will be utilized in the band program with the band teacher.

Club Treasurer Lisa Gregg expressed enthusiasm in the Club contributing to the Chassell community through more than pie and coffee sales.

“I think the arts programs, along with music, is a very important part of a child’s life,” she said. It builds self esteem. It teaches them how to be part of a group.”

The check made out to the music program however will just be the beginning. The Club exhibited interest in expanding the amount of funds and also other programs for the school. Guidotti was very grateful for the Club showing interest in assisting the school.

“I was excited and grateful for the opportunity to have a few different staff and student groups speak to some of the exciting things that we have going on in the school,” he said.

“And also to open the eyes of Chassell residents themselves, who have spent years or decades giving back to the community, [who are] right on the cusp of unlocking new opportunities and new windows for that outreach to exist.”