LANSING, MI – The Black Men Inc. of Greater Lansing (BMIGL) annual Take-A-Kid-Shopping event was held Dec. 18.

More than 40 elementary aged youth were paired up with adults at Otto Middle School and then pursued bargains at Value City. The adult volunteers served as Santa’s helpers guiding the youngsters purchases for their mothers, brothers and sisters.

Each youth was given spending cash to work with and the store usually offered a generous discount.

Founded in 1992, BMIGL is a non profit corporation of volunteers. Its mission is to address the problems of the African American community in areas of education, health, environment, economic development and overall improvement in the quality of life throughout the Greater Lansing area.

BMIGL seeks to establish strong channels of communication between various state, local, educational, religious and civic organizations in Mid Michigan.

BMIGL adheres to the words of Thomas Dortch of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, “We must not expect others to do for us those things which we can and should do for ourselves and our community.” Membership in BMIGL is open to any individual who shares and supports the organization’s mission. Membership will not be denied because of an individual’s ability to pay, racial or gender or religious affiliation.

The men’s group meets the second Saturday of each month at 8 a.m. at the Black Child & Family Institute, 835 W. Genessee St. @ Butler St., Lansing, MI. The public is invited.