05/10/2007

Senior volunteers connect 'Dots of Love' in their communities

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

Read past Northern Notes

Catholic Human Services in Traverse City describes its foster grandparent program and senior companion program volunteers as extraordinary individuals participating in the "Dance of Life” by connecting the "Dots of Love” in their communities.

The Senior Volunteer Programs of Catholic Human Services will celebrate the important contributions these volunteers make at a special recognition event on Friday, May 11. More than 90 older adult volunteers from a 10-county area will be honored for their commitment to the community.

Foster Grandparent volunteers serve children with special needs in schools, while Senior Companion volunteers serve older adults who are struggling to stay in their own homes. They provided a total of 74,180 service hours during the past year and helped more than 500 children and more than 400 older adults.

Catholic Human Services had sponsored the programs since 1985. Volunteers are 60 years old or older and the average volunteer is 76 years old. Several volunteers have been with the programs for 15 to 21 years.

Point Betsie's official season doesn't start until May 26, but Jodie Sparks and Steve Willobee of Lansing chose April 14 as the day they would like to get married at the historic lighthouse and the Friends of Point Betsie Lighthouse Inc. were happy to oblige. Amy Ferris president of the organization and part-time wedding planner, recalls that there was gorgeous sunshine, but the temperature could have been a little warmer for the nuptials.

She and Roger Dewey, who oversees the buildings and grounds for the Friends Board of Directors, agreed that involving the couple's children and having the ceremony in such a special place made the wedding very meaningful and touching.

After returning home, Steve and Jodie wrote thanking Amy and Roger for everything.

"I don't think we possess the words to accurately articulate the appreciation that (we) have for everything that you did,” the couple wrote. "We knew that the day was going to be very special, but what you both did made it more memorable and special than we both ever imagined. Point Betsie will always have a special place in our hearts and so will you both. Thank you for taking time out of your personal lives to make such an important moment so special for complete strangers.”

Point Betsie is located just off M-22 north of Frankfort. It is owned by Benzie County and operated by the Friends group. Tours and gift shopping are available to the public weekends from Memorial Day to Columbus Day. For details, visit www.pointbetsie.org.

Michigan Community Blood Centers wrote to acknowledge the following blood donors who recently reached new gallon levels.

They are: one gallon — George Almy, Erik Arbut, George Belliel, Justin Bossert, Paul Christiansen, Russell Crysler, Jacqueline Darcy, Nancy Denison, Jane Deveaux, Mary Dezelski, Paul Eichenberg, Kelly Everson, James Foley, Rosemarie Francobell, Darlene Giacherio, Melanie Hatt, Julie Huyck, Sandra Marek, Richard Matthews, Michael McCumby, John Merlo, Leonard Merrill, Kathryn Myers, Daisy Peer, Jack Pickett, Tyler Putman, Gerald Roslund, Eric Sims, Betty Smith, Douglas Smith, Robert Stoops, Robert Tardani, Gerald Teresinski, and Jeffrey VanWeelde; two gallons — Sandra Barsheff, Jane Conard, Rose Deering, Jeffrey Harris, Terri Hodges, Susan Kiley, Sherry Kneip, Elizabeth Lutheran, Marc Maday, Thomas Poertner, Louise Schlief, Greg Shaw, Peggy Stych, Scott Trumbull, Joseph Tyron, and Christopher Waugaman; three gallons — Benjamin Clair, Jane Darling, Holly Davison, Myron Didyk, Heather Farago, Monika Fiebing, Jahn Fraser, Timothy Quick, Leanne Snowden, and Jaye Lynn Trapp; four gallons — Paul Beauchamp, Guy Finout, Roger McDaniel, Judy Murphy, Margaret Smedley, and Barbara Stachnik; five gallons — Robert Bosch, Leonora Frank, Barbara Klugh, Ted Klumpp, and Tamara McLain; six gallons — Sharon Harrett, Aaron McClintic, Shirley St. Amand, and James Zenner; seven gallons — Robert Blake, Christine Gibson, Jeanne Harbold, Robert Loomis, Herbert Mayer, and Mark VanDerKlipp; eight gallons — Carole Zang; nine gallons — John Bohn and Michael Corning; 10 gallons — Florence Burke, David Hutchinson, Ursula Johnson, and James Sladek; 11 gallons — Joseph Rode; 12 gallons — Dennis Pieczynski; 13 gallons — Daniel Bush; and 16 gallons — Robert Ford.

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.