Pearl Harbor Day is tomorrow. A day to be remembered by everyone who cherishes their freedom, but those who fought during World War II to maintain that freedom in the United States are being lost at an alarming rate. Joyce Fisher, of Howell, wants to make sure that the 6,000 Michigan World War II veterans still with us are aware of a program in their honor.
The Honor Flight Program is designed to serve all veterans in Michigan and offers a trip to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., free of charge to all World War II veterans who might not otherwise be able to make the trip. Time is running out for these veterans to see the memorial created in their honor.
Based in Royal Oak, each Honor Flight typically has three "Guardians" for every 10 veterans. Their role is to ensure the safety, comfort and needs of every veteran, and if additional care is needed, guardians are assigned on a one-to-one basis. Guardians pay $300 for the privilege of caring for the veterans.
The cost of each flight runs about $37,000. The program currently has no corporate sponsors and relies on personal donations and fundraisers to support it. The program accepts applications for the flight from anywhere in Michigan and also welcomes donations. For details, an application or to make a donation, visit www.honorflightmichigan.com. Tax-deductible donations also may be sent to Honor Flight Michigan, Inc., P.O. Box 237, Royal Oak, MI 48068.
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Jann Baase Mack of Traverse City has undergone colon and liver surgery and chemotherapy treatments, all within a matter of months, and would like to thank the many generous people who helped make a benefit dinner and auction held for her so successful. She would especially like to thank her Fellowship Church family who helped host the event and have been there with daily prayers that have kept her going.
"... all I can say is how blessed I feel that so many care about me and my family," Jann wrote. "Thank you seems so inadequate when so many gave of their time and resources. My co-workers at Teter Orthotics, church and my family have all gone (above and beyond). Again, all I can say to one and all is thank you so very much."
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Marnie M. Warren, human resources coordinator at Skilled Manufacturing in Traverse City, wrote on behalf of the company to let people know that their recent community coat drive was a huge success.
"Our efforts resulted in more than 800 coats being collected and distributed to the community," Marnie wrote. "However, we couldn't have done it without the overwhelming support of the community itself. Thanks to our sponsors, 106 WKHQ and Lite 96; and our donors, Master Dry Cleaners, Pepsi Cola, Glen's Market, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, Gordon Food Service, Big Apple Bagel, Nichols, Lamar Advertising and Piche Family Chiropractic. A big thanks (also) to all our volunteers and a very special thanks to everyone who donated to our coat drive.
"All items that we were not able to distribute personally were given to the Father Fred Foundation. Skilled Manufacturing Inc. is very proud to be a part of such a wonderful community," Marnie wrote.
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Laura Kilbourne of Traverse City wrote to thank Kelly Roscher, physical education instructor for Willow Hill and Norris elementary schools, for organizing a Family Fun Road Rally. The fund-raiser included the school communities from Long Lake, Norris and Willow Hill and more than 75 families participated.
"Not only was it Kelly's objective to raise funds for each of the school's PTOs, she also incorporated an additional fund-raising effort that would help provide medical support for three families from the schools (to which Moomer's generously donated $750) and most importantly enhanced the welcoming of the Norris families to the Long Lake and Willow Hill school communities," Laura wrote. "With Norris closing next year and students divided among Long Lake and Willow Hill schools, we should applaud Kelly for her effort, wisdom and sensitivity. Thank you again Kelly for helping families form friendships ..."
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The Recovery Plus Program Committee would like to thank the following for their generous donations for door prizes for a recent seminar.
Thanks go out to Beverly Cramer, Stained Glass Cabinet, Ben Franklin, Wild Birds Unlimited, Grand Traverse Resort, Jarmilla Maxbauer, Jim and Karen Valade, Burritt's Fresh Markets, Countryside Gardens, Regal Nails, Ryan LaMott, Munson Cancer Services, Becky Giacherio and Nicki Watson from Details Salon, Bath & Body Works, Saginaw Valley Floral Company, Altonen's Fruit Farm, Fischer Floral Design, Edwards Furniture, Susie Curtis, Bayside Market, Macy's lingerie department, the Cherry Stop, 45th Parallel Cafe, Carelinc, Robin Mosher, Cherry Country Traditions, Premier Health & Fitness, Nancy Selleck, F. Matthew Smith, MD, the American Cancer Society, Cherry Republic, Giovanni's, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Sharon Reed, the Pink Ribbon Girls, Barb Cunningham, Jean Kirchner, the Navigator Program, and several anonymous donors.
The committee also would like to extend a special thank you to the Zonta Club for their sponsorship and the American Cancer Society for their support.
"This is an annual program put on for breast cancer survivors and you helped make the day special for them," the committee wrote.
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A cheer goes up to everyone who helped make the United Way's 2007 Campaign Kick-Off "Drive and Drop" two-day donation drive a great success.
The event collected canned goods and personal care items to help critically low inventories at the food pantries served by the Northwest Michigan Food Coalition.
United Way of Northwest Michigan would like to thank the drive's sponsors, Meijer, Xtreme Clean Car Wash and Burger King, and all the volunteers and donors for helping make the drive so successful.
Items for this column may be sent to Northern Notes, Record-Eagle, P.O. Box 632, Traverse City, MI 49685-0632; e-mail sbeach@record-eagle.com.
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