Mark Wilcox/Daily Mining Gazette Demonstrators gathered in Houghton's Veterans Memorial Park earlier this month for the local aspect of the nation-wide Good Trouble Lives On rally. Organized by Keweenaw Indivisible, the group will hold a fundraising event next week in Hancock to eliminate medical debt in the U.P.

HANCOCK — Keweenaw Indivisible, a citizen action group, is collaborating with other local businesses and groups, to organize a fundraiser to designed to erase medical debt for UP residents.

The fundraising event, Stronger Together, is scheduled for 6-9 p..m. Tuesday at Small Craft in Hancock. The event is open to all and will include live music, local food trucks, speakers, and information about healthcare-related topics.

So far, says the group, they have raised more than $14,000, which will be used to purchase all existing medical debt currently in collections in Michigan’s First Congressional District. The First Congressional District embraces all 15 counties in the U.P. and 20 counties in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Co-organizer Amanda Schwass said: “Watching people across our community show up and support this initiative has been a tangible reminder of our strength, our commonality, and all that truly unites us.”

In a press release, Keweenaw Indivisible states that every dollar donated eliminates up to $145 in medical debt through Undue Medical Debt, a 501(c) (3) non-profit that purchases and erases medical debt in collections.

“This fundraising initiative, ‘Stronger Together’, will eliminate the medical debt in collections for roughly 1,350 Michigan families,” Schwass said. “There are no applications or requirements to qualify. Those helped by this fundraiser will simply receive a letter in the mail stating their debt has been erased.” Funds raised beyond the initial $15,000 will be used to purchase more medical debt for additional Michigan residents.

“I am excited about our silent auction, which has donations that range in value from $50 family games to $8,000 comprehensive orthodontic services,” Schwass said. “People should come with their checkbooks and hearts open. It will be a night to give generously and walk away with some amazing items and the knowledge that your support helped eliminate burdens that should never exist. Together we can restore dignity, peace, and hope to our friends, family members, and neighbors”.

The release describes Keweenaw Indivisible as a nonpartisan, pro-democracy organization run by volunteers situated in the western part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Their mission is to organize, mobilize, and empower the Copper Country to challenge corruption, defend democracy, and support those most harmed by regressive political agendas.

To learn more, please visit the website https://unduemedicaldebt.org/campaign/stronger-together-a-fundraiser-to-wipe-out medical-debt-in-our-community/