THREE OAKS, Mich. — Three Oaks is trying to fix its financial troubles. The village faces a deficit that could be as high as $600,000. This is prompting people in and around the community to step up and help in any way they can.

On a beautiful summer day in the small, quaint town of Three Oaks, a cloud of uncertainty hangs behind the blue skies.

"So the village is continuing to run at 90, 95 percent. And you're literally driving up debt by the hour," said Executive Finance Committee member Chris Siebenmark.

Three Oaks is in the middle of a financial nightmare. Officials say the budget deficit could be as high as $600,000. And some say it is starting to show.

"They just haven't had the ability to take care of some of these things," said Siebenmark.

That includes the annual maintenance and beautification projects the village typically does before the annual Flag Day Festival in June.

"You see where the parking spots are here, along Elm Street. We would paint that and paint up all the yellow lines on the street. No money, we couldn't get it done [this year]," said Siebenmark.

The tough times are prompting people to step up and chip in. Community members are doing everything from buying weed killer to mowing parks and fields. Members of the Sunflower Garden Club are also donating planters.

"So they plan their own planter and they buy their own plants. The Garden Club reimburses them and then we are reimbursed through the Downtown Development. Although this year that didn't happen, but that's fine," said Sunflower Garden Club member Marlene Kramer.

And the work is starting to pay off.

"It seems like it's got a brighter look,” said Three Oaks resident Carrie Levine.

"I think it's wonderful. I think every community — whether they're in financial difficulty or not — if the people work together then they get to know their neighbors more and just be a stronger community," said Three Oaks resident Ginny Janowski.

Surrounding communities are also helping out. Because the Three Oaks Police Department couldn't afford to buy its own tires this month, Bridgman donated four tires and rims to them. An area grower also donated $10,000 to the general fund.