By STEPHANIE BEACH
Local columnist
June 27, 2009 08:50 pm The Father Fred Foundation was blessed recently with a number of exceptional volunteers who helped with major exterior improvements. Members of the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America and Home Depot employee volunteers prepared, power washed and painted building exteriors, while other professional volunteers completed essential concrete work as a part of landscaping plans. "We are appreciative of professional volunteers turning out in such strong numbers ... to help us make the exteriors of our buildings look as great as the interiors," said Norm Bamberg, operations manager. "The work was done by top notch professionals and the weather could not have been better. We extend a major thank you to the following who gave their time and talents ... : Jon Ellis from Mission Bay Construction, Steve Worm and the crew from SRW Contracting and Paving Company, Elmer's Concrete Service, Robb Bollenberg from Terrestrial Painting, Doug Priest Painting and Wallpapering, Able Painting and Remodeling, John Evans Painting and Decorating, Dan Brady Painting and Wood Restoration, Power's Painting, and the Home Depot crew that included Jill Noe, Leslie, Sara Emerson and Minnetta Cook." -- The Traverse City Beach Bums recently hosted Volunteer Night, a popular event that brings together nearly 2,000 area volunteers, along with their families and friends, to enjoy an evening of baseball with their fellow community volunteers. "It's a very popular evening for us and we're proud to recognize the efforts of so many in our community," said Jeremy Crum, Beach Bums assistant general manager. The Northwest Michigan Association of Volunteer Administrators has coordinated the event with the Beach Bums for the past several years and together they handed out "Catch the Volunteer Spirit" Frisbees to the first 2,000 guests. "We're delighted to share in the fun of a night at the ball park," said Judy Goodrich, co-chair of NMAVA and volunteer supervisor at Munson Hospice. "The Beach Bums are fantastic community supporters who join with the NMAVA each year to congratulate the combined efforts of the many volunteers in our communities." -- The Afghan Angels volunteer knitters are looking for a few angels of their own to help keep them knitting. Since the group was established through United Way of Northwest Michigan's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program in 2000, members have created hundreds of afghans and infant caps for hospitals and medical care facilities. Currently the organization boasts more than 125 volunteers. Yarn for their projects is donated by the community and stored at the United Way office, where the volunteers "shop" for yarn for their projects. Currently supplies are dwindling and the Angels are hoping that donations from a generous community will help fill the shelves with yarn for future projects. Donations may be dropped off at the United Way, 521 S. Union St., Traverse City. For more information, call 947-3200, ext. 207. E-mail items for this column to sbeach@record-eagle.com
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Stephanie Beach