This years Fishtown Giving Tuesday is in honor of those who return to Fishtown again and again because it is special to them. Our theme, “Fishtown is here for you: Time after time”
Richard (Dick) Ristine introduces his sons Jim, Dick Jr., and Tom to Fishtown and the Manitou Passage.
Jim Ristine first visited Fishtown in 1956 with his parents and his two older brothers. His father, Dick Ristine, had spent childhood summers in Leland in the 1920s and 30s for the healthy air and to escape the hot Indiana summers. But then came college, the war, his career, and a growing family. But in 1956 Dick brought his family back to Leland, to share the place that he’d loved and explored as a child. In the late 1990s he and his wife, Lou,
moved year-round to Leland, where he visited Fishtown on his daily walks.
Those childhood family visits had a life-long impact on Jim and beginning in 1989 he chose to make his home here. An arts advocate and wood craftsman, Jim immersed himself in this community. Like his dad, he wanted to be a part of preserving what is special about this region, including serving on the Fishtown Preservation board of directors for 14 years. Jim visits Fishtown nearly every day, swinging by when he comes to Leland to pick up his mail at the post office. Fishtown is anew each day for him, yet always endearingly the same. Fishtown is a place where Jim honors his childhood, his family, his career, and all who have gone before him, including his wife, Mardi Black, who passed away in August 2022.
Fishtown holds the best of memories for Jim. In honor of decades of special moments and people, on this Giving Tuesday Jim wants to inspire you to give a gift that will ensure that Fishtown will be here for all who love it, time after time. Jim is offering a $20,000 match challenge in memory of of his wife, Mardi, and asks that you give a gift that will help keep Fishtown here forever.
You can help us meet this challenge. For every dollar you give to Fishtown Preservation on Giving Tuesday, an additional dollar will be donated by Jim Ristine – up to $20,000.
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- Jim Ristine (left) and brother Tom (right) on Fishtown docks 1956
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- Jim Ristine and the Mary Ann
Jim Ristine in Fishtown today
With your Giving Tuesday gift this year, think about a special person or moment that will be forever in your memory, thanks to Fishtown. Giving Tuesday is a way to do that something more, and helps keep Fishtown here for everyone.
How to Give—
Phone: 231-256-8878
Mail: send checks to PO Box 721, Leland, MI 49654
—notify us of your Giving Tuesday gift, and put your check in the mail by December 1, payable to FPS
In-Person: Stop by our office—203 E Cedar Street, Leland
Online:
DONATE HERE!
Your Gift Matters! For more information call 231-256-8878 or email us at info@fishtownmi.org.
Please forward this information to your friends and family, and share our Giving Tuesday posts on Facebook and Instagram
