05/24/2007

Northern Notes

Local woman quietly seeks help for minister and his family

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

Read past Northern Notes

There are probably many people who have watched the television show "Extreme Makeover Home Edition.” Each week a team of professionals and volunteers works around the clock to rebuild homes for families living in adverse conditions. In the spirit of the inspiring TV show, Vera Sparks of Traverse City has quietly started an effort to help improve living conditions for a local minister and his family.

The Rev. Marshall and Mary Collins have ministered to the Northport Indian Mission Church for 12 years. They have focused on "doing the Lord's work,” Vera said, receiving little compensation for their ministry. Somehow no benefits were set aside for when the Rev. Collins retired, which he did recently, although he and his wife continue to minister in the area.

With only Social Security, Vera said, they are living in a trailer with their daughter and her three children. Vera said the trailer is "beyond repair” and according to a recent inspection is a "dangerous (living) situation,” with faulty wiring and an old and unreliable furnace and hot water heater.

An active part of the interdenominational organization Church Women United, Vera contacted the United Methodist Church's regional bishop who agreed to see how that denomination could help and asked that she take on the task of contacting local churches of other denominations about helping rectify the situation, which she is doing. However, not a person to do anything halfway, Vera also called the Record-Eagle for advice on how to let people know about the couple and their need. This column seemed like a perfect avenue to give people a chance to help.

Donations for the family may be sent in the form of checks payable to Church Women United, with the Collins residence noted on the memo line, to Church Women United, care of Vera Sparks, 1866 Pine Dr., Traverse City, MI 49686. For more information, call Vera at 938-1387.

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Priscilla Miller thought people in the area might like to know that World War II veteran Guy Barber recently returned from the reunion of his military unit, the 70th Infantry Division, in Oregon. "He had a great time and wants to thank everyone who generously contributed to his fundraisers,” Miller wrote. "The overwhelming generosity of people in northern Michigan and across the country not only made it possible for Guy and his daughter to attend the reunion, but donations are still arriving in the mail and we are waiting until June 1 before sending a check in excess of $3,000 to the Fallen Hero's Fund in San Antonio, Texas, a rehabilitation center treating service men and women injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.... The 'Get Guy to Oregon Fund' also will contribute $500 to Antrim County's Habitat for Humanity.”

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John Fenlon of Traverse City is battling cancer and travels to Illinois every three weeks for treatment and care. There was a fund-raising dinner and silent auction recently for the Fenlon family and they want to thank everyone who contributed to the event.

"A special thank you to Matt, Jennifer, Gayle and Sindy for their hard work,” Cathy Fenlon wrote. "We feel very fortunate to live in such a great community and are grateful to everyone. The (event) was a huge success and served over 150 people. Thanks again for everyone's thoughts, prayers and donations.”

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Michigan Community Blood Centers recently acknowledged blood donors who reached new gallon levels.

They are: one gallon — Emily Bagley, Daniel Baker, Mathew Barber, Sylvester Day, Jamie Dudan, Deanna Fink, Michael Flippen, Nathan Gallagher, Sue Graybill, Norman Hagen, Matt Hall, Sandra Harrand, Scott Herzberg, Heather Hutchinson, Sabrina Jordan, Sarah Little-Smith, Daniel Marvin, Thor Mikesell, Robert Newcomb, Art Olson, Maureen Poertner, Heidi Scheppe, Elizabeth Selee, Susan Shackelford, Charles Smogoleski, Shawn Stowe, Miranda Trowbridge and Sara Zeigler; two gallons — Sara Anderson, Stephanie Black, Kathryn Gibbs, Jodie Gillette, Brian Hartman, Jean Hutchinson, Mary Beth Janik, Faith Kearns, Martin Makowski, Perry Pentiuk, Donna Pringle, Loyde Rockwell, Michael Schaeffer, Stephen Siciliano, Diane Solem, Michael Walker and Diann West; three gallons — Chris Bouchey, Gary Cheadle, Diane Cox, William Diekman, Darlene Paige, William Rayle, Thomas Rice and Kristen Tomaszewski; four gallons — Barbara Aardal, Susan Coulter, Joseph Esper and Joann Wendels; five gallons — Rick Deering, Lawrence Matro and Robert Miller; six gallons — Rebecca Holton, William Ledford and Kathleen Mattson; seven gallons — Keith Miller and Loren Newton; eight gallons — Katherine Dungey; nine gallons — Mark Leugers; 11 gallons — Carolyn Schug; 12 gallons — Kathye Johnson; 14 gallons — Robert Thoreson; 15 gallons — Judine Leavitt and Bill Maul; and 17 gallons — Terry Harmon.

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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.