What is the Year of the Dawg?       
    The Year of the Dawg is a community art project led by Leadership Mecosta’s Class of 2008. Businesses, individuals, and groups have had the opportunity to purchase or sponsor one of the fiberglass bulldawgs. Each dawg, which measures approximately 3’ tall by 4’ long, was painted by a local approved artist and displayed at the sponsor’s site of business for the next year.   

Proceeds Benifit

MCYAC
Mecosta County Youth Attention Center

The 2008 Leadership Class chose two organizations that would receive proceeds from the sale of the Dawgs. As a class we determined that MCYAC, Mecosta County Youth Attention Center would be one of the recipients. This organization was established in 1977 for short term placement and counseling for at-risk court and state ward youth ages 12 - 16 years. Shelter care is made available to youth, serving as an alternative to jail, detention, or out-of-county placement. The caseworkers provide out-reach counseling services to court and state ward youth and their families, making recommendations to the court. In addition, the agency has a second component called "Reflections", for runaway & homeless youth, and youth in other crisis situations. Youth and/or families participating in this program are on a voluntary basis. The class wanted to thank them for their dedication not only to the community but also there commitment to the children. With their funding being cut, as a class we decided that this is an organization that deserves a portion of the proceeds. YAC provides intensive, out-reach counseling, temporary shelter, and after care services, but without funding this would come to a halt.

The 2008 Leadership Class then chose Artworks. Artworks is a non-profit fine art gallery established in 2000 by a group of forward-thinking, civic-minded citizens in the Big Rapids community. Intended to serve the area in promoting the arts, the Gallery operates under the auspices of Artworks: Big Rapids Area Arts and Humanities. Classes of great variety in the arts are taught throughout the year serving both adults and children.  Most classes are taught by the artists themselves which offers a unique opportunity for the community. The gallery operates largely through the efforts of volunteers and patrons. So we decided to give back to them, proceeds donated will be directed at providing opportunities for not only adults and children of Mecosta County but to however may stumble upon it, we want everyone that lives, works, plays or even visits Big Rapids to experience art in its many forms, and without Artworks, Leadership felt like you would be missing out, as they offer so much to the community.

In 1997 a group of community members led by the Mecosta County Chamber of Commerce decided that a mechanism was needed for developing, educating and inspiring residents of Mecosta County in the area of community leadership.  Leadership Mecosta was born from that group of citizens that wanted the best for the future of Mecosta County. In seven short years Leadership has grown and helped throughout Mecosta County, to list just a few thing: Leadership Mecosta donated to the Riverwalk project, a grant was received by Leadership Mecosta for the development of traffic safety signs for Amish buggies, $1500 was given to WISE and $1500 was given to the Old Jail as a result of monies raised through the Leadership Mecosta 5K Run/Walk. Work groups helped with Habitat for Humanity House in 2007 as well as painting buckets for the Salvation Army. Looking back on it all, it only took one group to make a difference. With the continued support of the community, Leadership Mecosta keeps moving forward. Leadership Mecosta has nearly 170 alumni of the program, all of which continue to be involved in Mecosta County and elsewhere.