For 38 years, Love INC has provided help to the needy in Genesee County. According to Judd Judkins, Executive Director, the nonprofit, nationally-based church-networking organization was founded in Holland, MI by Virgil Gaulker, whose plan was simple and effective: match churches with the needy. His plan included creating a central clearing office to screen requests, eliminate duplicated services between community agencies and churches, and facilitate collaboration and shared resources among those in the Love, INC network. And while many people would think “INC” stands for “incorporated,” it doesn’t; it stands for “In the Name of Christ,” Judkins states.
At 6pm this Friday at the Flint Golf Club, the Voices for Children Denim & Diamonds event will begin. This year the event will be produced by Pure Bliss Salon & Spa and will support the Voices for Children Advocacy Center’s mission to help prevent child abuse and neglect in Genesee County. The theme for this year is “Our Kids Rock!” Music will be provided by the all kids rock band “3rd Degree Burns” who opened for Dierks Bentley at this year’s Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills. The night will also feature a silent auction, talented youth performances, a karate expo, youth dancers, food & drinks and more.
October 29 is National Cat Day and is the “purrfect” day to give extra attention to your feline friends. It is a day in which people take time to appreciate the common household cat — an animal that has been around humans for the past 12,000 years. It’s the time of year to show these felines some love and adoration.
In January 2011, Flushing High School senior Thomas Smith died while home from sudden cardiac arrest due to an enlarged heart. In his honor, his family started the Thomas Smith Memorial Foundation. The foundation is built upon three principles: to honor all youth who die from sudden cardiac arrest, provide free teen heart screenings to children age 13-19 and donate external defibrillators to child-centered organizations in Michigan. This year the Thomas Smith Memorial Foundation, in collaboration with Hurley Children’s Hospital and Hurley Trauma Care, will hold a free teen heart screening event from 9-2pm on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Flushing Middle School located at 8100 W. Carpenter Rd.
Tomorrow night, starting at 6pm at the Flint Farmer’s Market, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Flint will hold the 17th Annual Suits & Sauce Dinner and Silent Auction presented by Big John Steak & Onion. Dinner will be provided by Blackstone’s Smokehouse. Proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Flint.
It’s almost time to walk together and make a bigger impact on breast cancer. The American Cancer Society Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk in Flint is set for this Saturday, Oct. 12.
For many years, FISH of Grand Blanc has lent a helping hand to all residents living within the Grand Blanc Community School District, according to Chairperson, Barb Smith. The nonprofit, nondenominational organization was founded in 1974. The word FISH represents the symbol of the early Christians to identify themselves, Smith explains. And the need in the area is great as Grand Blanc is Genesee County’s largest school district. “One in three Grand Blanc students living within the district participates in the Free/Reduced Lunch Program,” reports Smith, a FISH volunteer for 42 years.
There is still time to sign-up for, or donate to, Genesee County’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s taking place this Saturday (September 28) at 11 am at UM-Flint White Building Lawn. Registration can be done online or starting at 10:00 am on Saturday. Donations can be made online at act.alz.org.
The Ties and Tails Gala is coming up this weekend! The highly anticipated event will take place this year at Signature Chop House in Flushing. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to help the animals at the Genesee County Humane Society (GCHS).
Clarence Campbell, pastor of Grace Christian Community Fellowship on Davison Rd., needs your help. Mr. Campbell is president of the Eastside Coalition and operates the Power of One anti-blight initiative. He has used his free time to clean up litter and trash around his neighborhood for years. He is also part of the Clean & Green program, volunteering to mow empty lots throughout the Eastside and he is responsible for the flowers and benches located along Franklin Ave.
For over 40 years, Edith Campbell has dedicated her free time to helping dogs in need throughout the City of Flint. “It really started at Christmas in 1967,” she remembers. “I worked at Buick and driving to and from work, I would see dogs that looked starved. I felt I had to do something about it.” She began to tell co-workers about her plans and they began donating food and pet supplies. “I started using Christmas as an excuse – I asked the owners of the suffering animals if I could give their pets a Christmas present.”
At Fenton Center of Hope, the vision is “to serve our neighbors who are hungry and in need of resources resulting in a better quality of life.” The founders, Bob and Jennifer Strygulec, previously ran a Food Pantry and Baby Closet at the Freedom Center Church in Fenton. The couple founded Center of Hope as a non-profit in 2016. The husband/wife team eventually gave up their respective careers in finance and interior design to further their work in addressing the needs of the less fortunate and to provide even more services. “We knew we needed to be here full time,” Jennifer reports. “We see so many of the same people, generations of the same family reaching out for help. Bob had a heart to really do something to change people’s lives and to look at the underlying causes.” Bob adds, “Our thought was: What could we do to help people make a long-term, substantial change?”
