Habitat for Humanity Northeast Michigan will bring donors, volunteers and community partners together Oct. 9 for an annual fundraiser built around affordable housing—and an unusual evening experience in Hillman.
Matt Nahan, executive director of the orsa foundation, will deliver the keynote address at Habitat NEMI’s 2026 Annual Dinner. The event is scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m. and will begin with elk-viewing carriage rides past new Habitat homes in Hillman before moving to Thunder Bay Resort’s Lodge in the woods for a gourmet dinner.
An evening focused on affordable housing
Habitat NEMI says the dinner is its premier fundraising event of the year. Proceeds will support the construction of new affordable homes and the organization’s Critical Home Repair program, which assists families living with unsafe or deteriorating housing conditions across Northeast Michigan.
This year, the organization is on track to build eight to 10 new homes while expanding Critical Home Repair services to reach more households. Habitat NEMI serves five rural counties—Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency, Oscoda and Presque Isle—and covers 6,630 square miles, described by the organization as the largest geographic footprint of any Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the nation.
Since its founding in 1989, Habitat NEMI has built more than 200 homes and serves more than 100 families each year through its Critical Home Repair programs, according to the announcement.
Tickets, raffle and silent auction details
Only 100 dinner tickets will be sold. Tickets cost $150 and include the elk carriage tour, gourmet dinner, wine tasting and the evening’s other activities. The program will also feature a mystery silent auction, with riddle clues offering hints about the items available.
Raffle tickets are available for $10 each or five for $40. The prizes are a custom deer blind, a $500 gift certificate to Royston Guns & Ammo and $250 in cash. The drawing is scheduled for 8 p.m. during the dinner, and ticket holders do not need to attend to win.
Raffle tickets can be purchased at the Habitat NEMI ReStore or office. Dinner tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Habitat NEMI at (989) 354-5555, [email protected] or [email protected]. Dinner tickets can also be purchased online at habitatnemi.org/fundraising or in person at the Habitat NEMI office, 2630 U.S.-23, Alpena.
Why Nahan was selected
Nahan also serves as assistant vice president of social impact for orsa credit union, which has a local branch in Hillman. Habitat NEMI said his work with philanthropy, first-time homebuyer mortgages and construction financing aligns with the organization’s housing mission.
He is expected to join Habitat families, volunteers and donors at the dinner as they support efforts to make affordable housing available in rural Northeast Michigan.