The Bay College and Lake Superior State University (LSSU) Regional Chapter of Business Professionals of America annual “Warm Coats for Warm Hearts” campaign collected coats for those in need in Delta County. This student-driven campaign ran from Monday, October 6, to Monday, October 20, 2025. With the community’s outpouring of support, a total of 207 items were collected during the campaign. Collection boxes were placed at Elmer's, Pat's Foods IGA (Gladstone), Integra First Federal Credit Union (Powers), YMCA Aquatics & Athletics buildings, Massie's County Market (Bark River), Delta Church, and on the Bay College Escanaba Campus in the HUB.
“Every year, the community comes together to give back; it warms my own heart to see. We want to thank every business and location that housed our boxes, and the community who generously donated over 200 items to those in need,” said Marcy Dugree, a Bay College student pursuing a bachelor's in business administration and BPA member. “In BPA, we learn to give of our time, talents, and treasures for our community, and it’s so amazing to see them doing the same.”
On October 21, BPA students came together to sort every donation. Then, on October 22, coats and other winter gear were distributed to the Salvation Army and Tri-County Safe Harbor. Dugree reflected, “BPA teaches us about self-improvement, and this event has a lot to show us. This event taught us the core of two of the pillars of BPA: leadership and community service. We grew up from this event, but it was because of the community that we could receive so many donations and help keep people warm."
Because the campaign is taking place a month earlier than in previous years, donations are still being accepted. Items can be dropped off at the donation box outside Bay College’s Business Faculty offices in the JHUC building until December 1.
If you have any questions, please contact Marcy Dugree at (906) 235-6979, or email Marcy.Dugree@baycollege.edu. To learn more about Business Professionals of America, please visit www.bpa.org. To learn how you can help sponsor the BPA student club, please email bpa@baycollege.edu.
About Business Professionals of America
Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a national student organization based on three pillars: community service, leadership/professional development, and developing workplace skills through business competitions. Through these key categories, students can challenge themselves to improve not only as students but also as people. Through both the state leadership conference and the national leadership conference, students put to the test their skills that they have learned both in and out of the classroom.
About Bay College
Bay College is the community’s college with a mission of: Student Success, Community Success, and Culture of Success. Bay is devoted to each individual’s achievement in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce by providing career certificates, associate degrees, transferable university credits, industry certifications, trainings, and professional development programs which develop skillsets, enrich individuals, and advance careers. #BayIsTheWay