The Michigan Cares for Tourism (MC4T) 2026 volunteer event will take place Sept. 13-14 in Holland. The volunteer organization of the same name puts on this gathering, as well as other annual events that bring together tourism professionals to clean up, restore, and preserve Michigan tourist destinations. Previous MC4T locations include Tawas Point State Park, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, and Cambridge Junction Historic State Park, among others.
“MC4T brings people from all over the state, from various sectors of the industry, together for a common cause of restoring and protecting the legacy of Michigan’s historic, cultural, and natural attractions,” says Michigan Cares for Tourism board member and de facto event leader Dianna Stampfler. “The positive impact on our group is often instant, and we hope our efforts leave a lasting impression on those who visit the sites in the future!”
The event will begin with familiarization activities on Sept. 13, with options including wooden shoe painting with Holland artist Carolyn Stich and tours of downtown Holland, the Holland Harbor Light (aka, BIG RED Lighthouse), and Nelis’ Dutch Village. That evening, Windmill Island Gardens will host a reception for volunteers, including food, beverages, and music.
The bulk of the volunteer work will take place on Sept. 14, with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources offering over a dozen activities. The options include brush cleanup, painting at Holland State Park’s pavilion, restoring the Whitetail and Beacon camper cabins, and more. MC4T will end the day with a wrap-up reception at the pavilion.
Stampfler says volunteers should be prepared to work in any weather conditions: “It’s a ‘rain or shine’ experience. Being prepared for the weather would be the No. 1 priority for volunteers. As my good friend and fellow tourism leader Joe Breidenstein always said: ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing decisions!’”
The participating hotel for the event is Homewood Suites by Hilton Holland, which is offering a $99 per night rate to volunteers. If enough volunteers express interest, MC4T will arrange bus transportation from Detroit to Holland with stops in Lansing and Grand Rapids.
“In a way, it is difficult to put into proper words the sense of satisfaction someone gets from being involved in MC4T,” Stampfler says. “At the end of the day, you’re exhausted and dirty, maybe with a few blisters or scratches, but you’re so darn proud of the work the group has done. And you sleep really well later that night!”
