At the Flint Eastside Mission, volunteers bustle around beginning at 8am, preparing for clients – anywhere from 100 to 180 men, women or children who typically live in the 48506 zip code. They come for a hot meal, or a chance to visit the food pantry or “shop” at the Clothing Center, get a haircut or eye exam, wash a load of clothes, pick up diapers or baby items, or select a business suit from the “Dress for Success” room for a job interview, or even attend Bible study.
Twelve local community leaders took a stand against breast cancer on Thursday August 25, in the first Real Men Wear Pink of Flint Campaign, an event that kicks off the fundraising efforts of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Those participating are Ed Benning, Brandon Carr, Pat Clark, Kent Elliott, Matt Franklin, Dr. Randy Hicks, Mark Hoffman, Ronny Medawar, Chuckii Montgomery, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, Morris Peterson, Jr., and Wade Pyles. According to the American Cancer Society, the men will raise funds for the fight against breast cancer and will also wear pink throughout the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society is determined to save lives from breast cancer by promoting early detection and prevention, funding groundbreaking research, and giving patients support wherever and whenever they need it.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint is a non-profit organization dedicated to “help all children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors.” Raul Garcia, a longtime Flint resident, had never considered being a Big Brother. But one day while working as a firefighter for the Flint Fire Department, Channel 12 filmed a segment of “Monday’s Child” at the fire station. “Monday’s Child” is a weekly feature in which a reporter interviews a child looking for a Big Brother or Big Sister. Santino Guerra, a spunky, excitable, 12-year-old boy was interviewed that day. His father in prison, Santino was being raised by a single mom. Raul thought to himself, I think I like that kid. “When I saw him, I knew he was someone I would like to be around,” he says now. And before he knew it, Raul was officially a Big Brother to Santino and the two began to spend time together.
Today, the Hagerman Foundation presented a $15,000 check to Camp Casey, a non-profit horseback riding program for children with cancer and rare blood disorders at Hurley Children’s Center. The grant will help bring the healing power of horses to children in Genesee County who are battling cancer.
Volunteers at animal shelters are very special people. They spend countless hours of their spare time caring for abandoned and unwanted pets, often exposed to the horror of interacting with animals that have been severely abused by the human hand. My City Magazine talked with volunteers at the Humane Society of Genesee County and Adopt-A-Pet in Fenton, and learned that they do it out of deep, absolute and unconditional love for animals of every shape and size.
Quota International of Flint is an organization whose mission is to serve the deaf and hearing impaired community, as well as disadvantaged women and children. In order to live up to their mission, Quota raises money, and with that money, do good work for the community. In the community, they have donated money to the Flint Institute of Music, the YWCA SafeHouse, the Communication Access Center, the Children’s Museum, Special Olympics, Wellness HIV Services and scholarships that are intended for college-bound Michigan School of the Deaf students, as well as for sign language interpreting students at Mott Community College and Baker College. In 1989, the club established its own foundation from which they do much of their grant-making.
To kids in a local Flint neighborhood, Vincent Smith, who wears sweats and a t-shirt bearing a #Eating logo, looks like a regular guy trying to rake and clean up a plot of land on Cottage Grove Avenue. Until they start talking to him – and learn that he’s no “regular guy.”
Losing a loved one is a devastating event for people of any age, but coping with grief can be especially overwhelming for children. That is why Ele’s Place recently opened a center in the Flint area. Ele’s Place is a nonprofit, community-based organization that helps children cope with a death in their life. Its mission is to raise awareness of and provide peer support for grieving children and teens and their families. Ele’s Place has locations in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Lansing, which is a considerable drive for people from the Flint area. “There was definitely a need for this type of service here,” says Amy Krug, Managing Director.
Genesys Health Foundation, in partnership with the Holly community, will host the first Tree of Love event Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 6 pm in the atrium of Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc Township. The evening will include music from the Holly Dickens Music Festival, a brief program, more entertainment from the Holly Dickens characters, and refreshments.
It’s almost that time of year again when we reach out to the Grand Blanc community and ask for your support to help those less fortunate and stock our Pantry. To do this, FISH holds a “Feed the Bus” event in hopes of filling a school bus with non-perishable food items, paper and hygiene products as well as laundry/cleaning items. The big yellow school bus will be located in the Grand Blanc High School Parking lot on Saturday, November 21st from 9 am to 3 pm. Simply stop by with your items during those hours.
Phil Shaltz has been successfully investing in his community to make it stronger and better. Leading by example, he continues to do this with something he calls “a stupid idea that works” – the Blueberry Ambassadors.
