06/14/2007

Northern Notes

Family asks others to support local first responders

By Stephanie Beach
Local columnist
sbeach@
record-eagle.com

Read past Northern Notes

Some people are fortunate enough to only experience tragedy through their television screens and newspaper pages and take for granted the public servants and volunteers who protect and care for the public.

Fred Campbell and his family no longer take these selfless public servants and volunteers for granted. He and his family experienced near-tragedy and witnessed first hand the remarkable response of neighbors and police, fire and rescue personnel on June 2, when the house on Solon Township into which his daughter, son-in-law and grandson were moving exploded, trapping the family in the debris.

Fred extends heartfelt and humble gratitude to everyone who helped rescue and care for his daughter, Sarah Johnson, her husband, Matthew, and their 8-month-old son, Harrison.

"From the neighbors and professional rescuers who sustained their own cuts and bruises extracting my family from the debris to the physicians, nurses and technical staff at Munson Medical Center, I say thank you and job well done,” Fred wrote. "Rescuers from the Leelanau County Sheriff, Michigan State Police, Tribal Police, North Flight EMS, Cedar Township Fire Department, as well as fire departments from throughout Leelanau County, responded.

"The number of individuals to thank is too large to list and I dare not short-change anyone's effort by an omission, so I will not try. However, my daughter will insist that I give special thanks to J.R. of the Elmwood Township Fire Department who (with the help of many others) pulled (Harrison) from deep within the wreckage.”

Sarah, Matthew and Harrison are home from the hospital, living with family and recovering from relatively minor injuries. Fred wrote that many people have asked how they can help, adding that their expressions of generosity and thoughtfulness are enormously appreciated.

"The family asks that any contributions on their behalf be made to your local police and fire-rescue departments so they have (the) capacity to help others in the future; to the American Red Cross, whose volunteers not only aided my family but supported rescuers on the scene; and to the Munson Regional Healthcare Foundation, so it can fulfill one of its health care missions — emergency and trauma care for all of us,” Fred wrote, adding that "we are blessed to live among many dedicated emergency responders and we are served by an excellent medical center. Please support them. Thank you to all.”

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Annette Leach of Traverse City sends her heartfelt thanks to all of the beautiful people who volunteered their time to raise and lower the flags at Memorial Gardens Cemetery this past Memorial Day and everyone who has helped out with this in the past.

"What a wonderful thing to do,” Annette wrote. "These flags are flown in honor of the people buried at the cemetery who served in the military. What a breathtaking and emotional sight to see.

"My father is buried there and his flag is one of the 600-plus flags that are raised each morning and lowered every evening over the entire weekend. My dad passed away almost 13 years ago and every time I see all of those flags waving in the breeze it brings tears to my eyes. The efforts of so many caring people are greatly appreciated by many.

"It is so important that we remember those who have given their lives or part of their lives to protect our country and our freedom,” Annette continued. "The kindness and dedication that each and every one of you has shown will remain in my heart forever. God bless you and thank you so very much.”

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Sally Hanley wrote on behalf of the Grand Traverse Prenatal to Six Work Group and the Grand Traverse Baby Pantry to thank everyone who donated to the "Month of the Young Child” diaper drive.

From October 2005 to October 2006, 476 families made 1,639 visits to the Baby Pantry. This year, from October 2006 to March 2007, the pantry already has served 479 families. As Sally observed, "at 10 to 15 diapers per visit, that's a lot of diapers!”

"But, thanks to this generous community, we had a very successful collection and are supplied to help these families with the basics they need to care for their young children in the months ahead,” Sally wrote.

She then went on to extend a special thank you to the collection sites: Oleson's Food Stores, Tom's Foods Markets, Ric's in Interlochen, Glen's at Chum's Corner, St. Francis Catholic Church, Traverse Bay United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian church, Traverse City Area Public Schools elementary schools, Montessori Children's House, Northwest Michigan Human Services, the Grand Traverse Governmental Center, MSU Extension, Cedar Run Eye Center, Pine Rest offices and Munson Community Health Center.

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Kim Flees and her family from Grawn would like to thank the Dusters Off Road Club for their generosity and the hard work they put into hosting a benefit four-wheel drive run for her.

"I've been battling breast cancer and the Dusters took it upon themselves to help out and so I wanted to send out a big thank-you for their thoughtfulness, kindness and generosity,” Kim wrote.

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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.