MARQUETTE — Officials with the upcoming Meijer State Games of Michigan announced an Adopt An Athlete program has been sponsored by Eagle Mine.
Eagle Mine’s sponsorship of the Adopt An Athlete program will make the Games more inclusive by breaking down the financial barriers that might prevent many low-income individuals and families from participating.
The Meijer State Games of Michigan Adopt An Athlete program was created in 2015 to provide financial assistance to low-income athletes and their families interested in competing. Anyone is invited to fill out an application to have all or a portion of their registration fee paid out of Adopt An Athlete funds.
“Eagle Mine’s core values include safety, respect, integrity and excellence, and we embrace diversity, inclusion, open dialogue and collaboration,” said Matt Johnson, Eagle Mine External Affairs manager, in a news release. “By supporting the Meijer State Games of Michigan Adopt An Athlete program, we can continue to support the residents of the Upper Peninsula by creating access opportunities to healthy lifestyles through sport.”
For the upcoming Winter Games in Marquette, set for Feb. 25-27, the Meijer State Games of Michigan has partnered with the Superior Alliance for Independent Living, Disability Network of the Upper Peninsula and Special Olympics Michigan to identify those individuals and families that could benefit from an Adopt An Athlete program scholarship.
For more information on the Adopt An Athlete program or the upcoming Meijer State Games of Michigan — Winter Games, visit www. stategamesofmichigan.com/adopt-an-athlete
Current sponsors of the Meijer State Games of Michigan — Winter Games in Marquette are Meijer, Travel Marquette, Northern Michigan University, Upper Peninsula Health Plan, Eagle Mine, Peninsula Fiber Network, Great Lakes Sports Commission, SAIL Disability Network and Special Olympics Michigan.
The Meijer State Games of Michigan hosts Olympic-style, multisport events that welcome athletes regardless of age or ability level.
Since 2010, Meijer State Games of Michigan has hosted over 90,000 athletes and has contributed over $35 million in estimated economic impact to cities throughout Michigan.
Eagle Mine is an underground, high-grade nickel and copper mine located in western Marquette County.