Sponsors Help Tell the Stories

Port Huron Town Hall has long been a stage for powerful storytelling. Each season, a carefully chosen lineup of speakers shares their experiences whether they are of global renown, cultural interest, unique expertise, or simply compelling human testimony.

Behind every Town Hall season is a group of dedicated volunteers and donors who help make it possible. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with an Endowment Fund managed through the Community Foundation of St. Clair County. In addition to ticket sales, Town Hall relies on generous community sponsorships to bring world-class speakers to the McMorran stage.

Judy Redmond, current President of Port Huron Town Hall, and her husband Tim are among the proud sponsors of this season’s program. “Tim and I sponsor Port Huron Town Hall because it brings the wider world of arts and education to our hometown,” Judy said.

“I worked full-time in Port Huron for 41 years, and it was always a special treat to leave work on a Monday morning to attend Town Hall – like when Barbara Bush spoke. Once I retired and joined the board, I was honored to help sustain such a treasure in our community. Especially after COVID, when the organization faced a financial setback, Tim and I felt it was our turn to give back.”

Securing world-class speakers requires significant resources. Each presentation involves fees, travel, and lodging, and the costs can vary dramatically. “It should surprise no one that excellent presenters come at a high price,” Judy added. “That’s why the generosity of our community sponsors is essential.”

Local business leaders have long recognized the value Town Hall brings to the region. Among them is real estate broker Jeff Wine, who, along with his wife Debbie, supports the organization as a sponsor.

“Debbie and I were introduced to Town Hall by our friends Mary and Tony Houle,” Wine explained. “I was already familiar with this kind of forum from my college days, when my sociology professor ran The Conference on World Affairs in Boulder, Colorado. It was like a forerunner to today’s TED Talks.”

Wine believes it’s vital that smaller communities like Port Huron have access to diverse voices. “We enjoy hearing the speakers Town Hall brings here and believe our community benefits when we engage with new ideas and perspectives,” he said.

He also sees Town Hall as a unique way to connect with residents. “The audience represents interesting, educated people who care about their community. I like to think of them as my target market,” Wine added.

Patty Lawrence, a third-generation season ticket holder and longtime board member, has also served on the committee that selects the speakers. She has witnessed firsthand how the organization balances cost and creativity.

“Our budget is based on season ticket sales, and we’re limited by the number of seats at McMorran,” Lawrence explained. “To keep prices affordable while still presenting an exciting and interesting lineup, we invite individuals and companies who see our value to become sponsors.”

The selection process, she said, is both strategic and spirited. “All the pieces such as talent, dates, travel, and logistics have to come together like a puzzle. We work with several talent agencies and also consider suggestions from our ticket holders. The committee meetings are fun and lively; if you miss one, you might come back to find your favorite speaker has been knocked off the list!”

Lawrence added that not all presenters demand the same budget. “We usually spend about a third to half of our budget on our headliner, then fill the other dates with fascinating people who fit within our remaining funds. We often include an entertaining or musical guest for December to close the year with energy.”

Pam Thomas and her husband Dave have been longtime supporters, sponsors, and champions of Port Huron Town Hall. “There are only a handful of Town Halls left around the country,” she noted. “For ours to still be thriving after 71 years is remarkable, and I want to see it continue for many more.”

Thomas remembers the moment she became hooked. “I remember when Barbara Bush came to town, and I couldn’t get a ticket. My mother-in-law raved about it, so the next fall, I bought season tickets so I wouldn’t miss another speaker.”

Now a 25-year ticket holder, 20-year board member, and past president, Thomas remains passionate about Town Hall’s value. “There’s nowhere else in our community where you can be educated, enlightened, and entertained for this price,” she said. “Even if you went to Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Lansing, you wouldn’t see the caliber of speakers we have right here in Port Huron.”

In just four years, Port Huron Town Hall will celebrate its 75th anniversary, and Thomas is determined to help ensure its future. “The speakers I’ve never heard of are usually the best ones!” she noted.

The power of local generosity

Town Hall’s continued success is the result of countless individuals, donors, sponsors, and volunteers who believe in the power of ideas and the joy of shared experiences. Each new season brings high anticipation and pride as the committee unveils another lineup of remarkable voices.

It is rare for an organization to reinvent itself every year and still maintain the confidence of its audience; but thanks to its community sponsors, Town Hall continues to thrive.

To learn more about becoming a sponsor or to support Port Huron Town Hall’s Endowment Fund, visit https://porthurontownhall.com/sponsorships/. Becoming a sponsor helps ensure that this fascinating and ever-evolving storytelling tradition continues to educate, inspire, and entertain for generations to come.