By STEPHANIE BEACH
Local columnist
April 27, 2009 06:55 am Rena Rudkin, of Buckley, called with a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful couple who came to her rescue early in April when Rena's husband collapsed outside JoAnn's Fabric in Traverse City. Rena had driven her husband to Traverse City for a biopsy. After the procedure, he said he felt fine so Rena took the opportunity to stop at JoAnn's for some fabric. When she came out of the store, the situation had changed and her husband said he didn't feel well. She was helping him to the passenger's side of the car when he fainted. Rena used OnStar to call for emergency help and this wonderful couple came up, stayed with the Rudkins and let Rena use their cell phone to talk to the doctor while waiting for the EMTs to arrive. After the fire department left, the couple gave the Rudkins many hugs before going on their way. Rena then drove her husband to the emergency room at Munson where he was checked, treated and released. Rena would like to thank this couple again for their help and hugs during what was a very scary situation. --- Communities in Schools of Mancelona and Mancelona Elementary School launched a community service learning project this winter. The group started with three students and quickly grew to include 24 second- and third-grade students who wanted to make a difference. These children gave up their lunch recesses to make fleece scarves for area homeless shelters. The students recently presented 100 scarves each to directors of the Goodwill Inn in Traverse City, The Friendship Center in Gaylord and the Women's Resource Center of Petoskey, which has an office in Mancelona. --- The thrift shop in Lake Leelanau has reopened as Samaritan's Closet under the sponsorship of the Leland United Methodist Church. The project received a huge boost when the Leelanau County Democratic Party presented Project Director Dee Glass with a check for $500 to cover the thrift store's first month's rent. The Leelanau County Dems and the local Obama for America organization, LeelanauCAN, also participated in a successful National Day of Service Food Drive. The group collected six van loads of groceries and personal products and more than $600 in cash for area food pantries. They would like to give a big "tip of the hat" for their help with the project to three local high schools, plus Anderson's Grocery in Glen Arbor, Bunting's in Cedar, Deerings in Empire, Hansen's in Suttons Bay and The Mercantile in Leland.
—
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
Photos
Stephanie Beach