CHATHAM — Alger County Communities That Care (AC3) invites the public to two events in September: a community Barn Dance and the 7th annual Pizza with a Purpose fundraiser.

All ages are invited to celebrate Alger County at the Barn Dance from 4-8 p.m. Saturday at the Michigan State University North Barn in Chatham. Admission is free. The event features square dancing with caller Jo Foley and music by Granny Fox and the Farm Hands Band.

“The Barn Dance is a celebration of this beautiful place we call home, our amazing community partners and our collective efforts in making Alger County a prosperous and thriving community,” said AC3 Board Chair Sandy Ehlert in a press release. “It’s our way of saying thank you to the schools, agencies, businesses and individuals that are part of the AC3 coalition while providing a fun activity for families to gather and enjoy each other’s company.”

The event includes a cornhole tournament, kids’ corner, pie and cake auction, Morris Dancers clinic and hayrides by MSU to view the U.P. Research and Extension Center.

Cooking Carberry’s Wood Fire Pizza will be available for purchase. Flavored water, hot chocolate and coffee will be provided at no charge. Families may also bring their own picnic dinners.

The event is drug and alcohol-free. This includes e-cigarettes and vape devices. The event is made possible in part with a grant from the Prevention Network.

The MSU North Barn is located at N5431 Rock River Road.

AC3 will partner with Pictured Rocks Pizza to host the 7th annual Pizza with a Purpose fundraiser the following week on Thursday and Friday Sept. 28-29. Proceeds from the event will support suicide prevention in Alger County including social workers and telehealth services in the schools.

The event will be held from noon to 8 p.m. each day at the popular Munising pizzeria famous for its gourmet wood-fired pizza. A special 10 a.m. to noon time slot is reserved both days for local businesses and their employees. Order forms for businesses will be available prior to the event.

Last year’s event raised more than $25,000.

“Pizza With a Purpose is a fun way for us to raise dough for a worthwhile cause,” Ehlert said. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of Jeff, Kim and Sean Cromell, owners of Pictured Rocks Pizza. They are wonderful partners. Together with the pizza and pasta-eating public, they are making a huge positive impact on the mental health of our community’s young people.”

Individuals wishing to support the fundraiser can call in their order to Pictured Rocks Pizza at 906-387-5700 the days of the event for pick up or outdoor dining. Orders will also be taken at the door — cash and checks only. Checks can be made out to Alger CTC.

Menu options include a 10-inch pizza with marinara sauce and two toppings or pasta with garlic alfredo or marinara sauce, two toppings and garlic bread for $12. Toppings include pepperoni, sausage, ham, chicken, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, pineapple or banana peppers. Additional toppings are available for an extra $1.

A limited number of short and long sleeve T-shirts, size small through extra-large, celebrating the event will be available for sale. Miners Pasties and Ice Cream, Pictured Rocks Kayaking and the Munising Volunteer Fire Department are sponsoring the T-shirts.

Ehlert credits volunteers for the success of the annual fundraiser.

“There are wonderful adults and kids who step up to volunteer every year,” she said. “They are tremendously helpful, and we are so appreciative. The event couldn’t happen without them.”

Pictured Rocks Pizza is located at 106 Birch St. in Munising. For those who cannot make the event but would still like to contribute, donations can be mailed to Alger County Communities That Care at 413 Maple St., Munising MI 49862.

Alger County Communities That Care is a nonprofit coalition with the mission to promote a safe, healthy and prosperous environment for all youth and adults in Alger County.

For more information, visit the AC3 website at www.algerctc.org, call 906-202-2244 or email algercountyctc@gmail.org.