Waterford Teacher Helping Families: A Mike’s Cash Your Cause Story
Mary Crait, a Waterford teacher with nearly 40 years in the classroom, won $500 through Mike’s Cash Your Cause. She’s using the money to help a Riverside Elementary family who suddenly found themselves without shelter during the cold winter months. The school community rallied together to keep the family housed through the holidays.
When Mike Staff Productions launched Mike’s Cash Your Cause, we asked a simple question: “If we gave you $500 to help someone else in need, what would you do with the money?”
The answers have been incredible. This year’s second winner, Mary Crait from Waterford, reminded us why we started this program in the first place.
A Teacher Who Never Stops Giving
Mary Crait has spent nearly four decades in Waterford classrooms. February 2026 will mark her 40th year as a teacher.
She’s also the longest-standing teacher union president in the district. But what really defines Mary isn’t a title or tenure. It’s her heart.
Colleagues describe her as someone who always finds ways to help her students and their families. When a need arises, Mary doesn’t wait for someone else to step up. She gets to work.
And she doesn’t do it alone. Colleen Farley, a fellow reading interventionist at Riverside Elementary, works right alongside her. The two have become a team when it comes to helping families in need. Where Mary leads, Colleen is right there making things happen.
“Our kids are our biggest priority and we know if basic needs aren’t met, kids aren’t learning,” said Farley. “We feel that we have a very safe place her for families and students and when there is a need they let us know.”
A Family in Crisis
This winter, a young family at Riverside Elementary found themselves in an unimaginable situation. Two adults and three children, spanning elementary, middle, and high school ages, suddenly had nowhere to go.
With temperatures dropping and the holidays approaching, they were out in the cold with no shelter.
Riverside Elementary Rallies Together
When Mary and Colleen learned what was happening, they didn’t hesitate.
Together, they helped mobilize the school community. Over the past month, teachers, staff, and administrators pooled their own money to keep the family in a safe, warm place. Mary and Colleen spearheaded the outreach, coordinating efforts and making sure no one fell through the cracks.
“We knew we needed to help them, and we started working behind the scenes to figure it out,” said Crait. “We went to work and tried to rally everything we could, and when I went home and saw the contest from Mike Staff Productions, it was like a sign.”
Their goal was simple: make sure this family had a roof over their heads through Christmas.
That’s the kind of community Riverside Elementary is. When one of their own faces hardship, everyone shows up. And when you have teammates like Mary and Colleen leading the charge, help comes fast.
The Impact of $500
Our $500 donation will extend the family’s housing by another week. It’s one more week of stability. One more week of warmth. One more week closer to getting back on their feet. When Mary learned she was selected as a Mike’s Cash Your Cause winner, she was grateful. Not for herself, but for what it means for this family.
“This $500 means this family with actually have a roof over their head for Christmas and that they won’t be in the cold,” said Farley.
“Mike the difference you and your staff have made for this family does not go unappreciated, we are so grateful,” said Crait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mike’s Cash Your Cause?
Mike’s Cash Your Cause is an annual holiday giveaway from Mike Staff Productions. We give three people $500 each to help someone else in need. Our videographers document each act of kindness to share these stories with our community.
How can I nominate someone for Mike’s Cash Your Cause?
Visit our Mike’s Cash Your Cause page during the nomination period each fall. Tell us who you’d like to help and why they deserve this act of kindness.
Key Takeaways
- Mary Crait, a Waterford teacher for nearly 40 years, won $500 through Mike’s Cash Your Cause
- Mary and fellow reading interventionist Colleen Farley work as a team to help families at Riverside Elementary
- The school community rallied together for over a month to keep a family sheltered through the holidays
- The $500 donation extends their housing by another week
Want to see more stories like this? Visit our Heart to Serve page to learn how Mike Staff Productions gives back to our community.
Mike Staff is the founder and CEO of Mike Staff Productions, Metro Detroit’s most awarded wedding entertainment and media company. Since founding Mike Staff Productions in 1996, Mike has led a team that has served over 25,000 couples across Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, and Washtenaw counties — providing wedding DJ, photography, and videography services at hundreds of Metro Detroit venues. Under his leadership, Mike Staff Productions has earned recognition as one of the top wedding companies in the country, with consistent five-star ratings on The Knot, WeddingWire, and Google. Mike pioneered the Team Approach model — coordinating DJ, photo, and video under one contract — to eliminate the stress and coordination gaps couples face when booking vendors separately.
