Come share some laughs with us at Laughing Matters on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Shelby Optimist Club!

This annual fundraiser supports Fountain Hill Center - Lakeshore Counseling office in Oceana County. Enjoy a delightful dinner, experience an encore performance by Pop Scholars-back by popular demand after last year's show-and be amazed by speed painter Martina Hahn. Together, we'll celebrate mental and emotional wellness while raising funds to continue providing low-cost or free counseling services.

Pop Scholars is fast-paced, smart improvisational comedy that doesn't reach for the easy joke. They surprise you by turning the mundane into the hilarious and are heralded for their quick wit and on-stage chemistry - and both have only grown over the 15+ years of performing together.

In other words: They're - real smart. Stupid funny! Improv Comedy.

To stay connected with Pop Scholars and learn more about them, be sure to check out their website here! All of their social media sites can be found there. Improv Comedy. Real Smart. Stupid Funny.

M. Hahn

Motivational Speed Painting

Martina Hahn offers an incredible artistic event with masterpieces in minutes. Born and raised in the heart of Europe, Martina has been exposed to art, culture and music from the start. Martina delivers a taste of Northern Michigan talent and a unique twist on art. Learn more about Martina and view her gallery here.

Lakeshore Counseling Staff

Therapist Mariann Eschenburg & Kate Bellingar meet with clients through telehealth (video or phone sessions) or in-person at the Lakeshore Office in New Era. Approximately 30-35 clients are seen each week; an increase from last year. Services are provided regardless of a client's ability to pay.

Mariann Eschenburg LMSW

Kate Bellingar LPC

Family Support Services

Mariann & Kate also provide family support services to intervene with families in crisis along with therapeutic supervised parenting time and parenting capacity assessments. Parents are given help to manage their children's behavior, anxiety and academic issues. Time is spent in-person with the children to best meet their needs through therapy. Parent Connection Classes are reoccurring throughout the year and are supported by Children Trust Michigan.

In-School Counseling

Kristina Thompson is the School Services Coordinator for the Oceana County schools. She works with other clinical staff as needed and meets one-on-one with students; as well as consults with parents and teachers to provide strategies to use in the classroom and at home.

Tatum Wilson & Molly Koelzer serve as Caring4Students counselors in the public schools. They both provide social-emotional learning for students and help them build strong connections with their peers and teachers.

Each year, the demand for school counseling services continues to grow. The administrators, teaches, and parents appreciate the opportunity for students to have someone to talk to. The students are able to improve their behavior at school and home. They are able to learn in the classroom and develop better relationships with their parents, teachers, and peers.

Kristina Thompson MA, LLPC

Tatum Wilson LLPC

Molly Koelzer MA, LLPC

Oceana County

The top 3 health problems in Oceana County are: substance abuse, overweight/obesity and mental health issues.

Oceana County ranks 6th on the list of 83 Michigan counties with the highest rate of uninsured residents in the age group of 19 to 64 - those too old for the MiChild program and too young for Medicare.

Thank you to our sponsors

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

Aflac Renee Wade
Birch & Blossom
Companion Animal Veterinary Service
Country Dairy
Heather Phares
Main Street Spa
Meyers Chevrolet
Rivers Ace Shelby
Son's Disposal
Storybook Village
The Ken Dieterman Foundation
Trinity Lutheran
Valley City Metal Products Inc.

Laughing Matters 2026