Archive for the ‘Donate’ Category
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Volunteers and donations are needed to assemble and fill 1,000 Easter Baskets for children ages 2 to 10 years old. The Baskets will be distributed to families who pre-register at the Father Fred Foundation by March 26.
Work bees to assemble baskets are scheduled for Wednesday, March 3 and 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 13 and 20, between 10:00 a.m. and noon. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sue Bauer, Father Fred Volunteer Coordinator, at (231) 947-2055 ext. 34.
Each basket this year will have an Easter story, story book, coloring book, crayons, a stuffed toy, packaged candy or dried fruit, chocolate cross or bunny, tooth brush and tooth paste, and small cross donated by a local church group. Donations of $5 per basket are welcome to cover the cost of materials. Checks should be made out to The Father Fred Foundation or donations can be made online at fatherfred.org.
Families in need of Easter Baskets for their children should register at the Foundation between March 23 and 26. Baskets will be available for the parents to pick up at the Foundation March 30 thru April 2.
The Father Fred Foundation is a non-denominational charity providing food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to families and individuals in crisis who live in the five county Grand Traverse region. For more information on The Father Fred Foundation, visit www.fatherfred.org or call (231) 947-2055.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2010
The Father Fred Foundation needs donations of furniture, clothing, toys, linens, tools and small appliances. These items will be distributed free of charge to families in need. Drop off times are 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. Tuesday- Friday and Wednesdays 10 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
“Most people know that Father Fred has a food pantry but many don’t realize we also give away clothing and a wide variety of household goods as well,” said Norm Bamberg, Operations Director. “Actually, this area of the Foundation serves more families than any other. For a family that is hurting financially, having access to good quality clothing, linens and a variety of household goods can be a real boost.”
“This department is entirely dependent on locally donated goods. There is always a surge of donations in the Spring and Summer but during the months of January, February and March, donations drop off dramatically, said Barb Evans, volunteer team leader. “This might be a great time to get a head start on Spring cleaning!”
Donors should call Norm at 947-2055 ext 16 if they have a question or need the pick up of a heavier furniture item.
The Father Fred Foundation is a non-denominational charity providing food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to families and individuals in crisis who live in the five county Grand Traverse region. For more information on The Father Fred Foundation, visit www.fatherfred.org or call (231) 947-2055.
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Saturday, January 16th, 2010
The Father Fred Foundation completed Toys for Tots distribution on December 17. Volunteers report they were able to provide multiple gifts to 819 children and 320 families this year.
 Beth Baillie Father Fred volunteer. Beth Baille, volunteer coordinator for this project, recapped her experience as follows:
We were able to provide toys for 819 children ages 0-17 this year, from 320 families. When we had officially closed registration, we had 620 children signed up…almost 200 children were served because of the Foundation’s willingness to accept late registrations. Thank you to the intake volunteers who gladly accepted this additional task.
There were over 80 volunteers who helped out from registration, decorating, unpacking and delivering toys to families.
We had 20 Meijer gift cards that came to us just as our supply of toys for teens was running low.
We've had a great supply of toys overall. I was able to call Maggie Kent twice to ask for more gifts for teens. She was able to go out the same evening of my request and purchase items for teens with Toys for Tots money that she had on hand.
Of our 'extra' toys, we are providing 2 toys for each child aged 10 and under who are living at the Women's Resource Center. The rest will go back to Toys for Tots to be redistributed to other agencies who are still doing distribution.
We were able to provide immeasurable hope and assistance to families experiencing hardship for any number of reasons. Of them:
- Toys for a single father of three girls under the age of 3. Dad was an engineer and lost his job for GM, moved up to TC to take a successful job in sales which ended without notice last month. He has been frantically looking for a job without success.
- Toys for a woman with 2 children and a nephew who had just moved in to live with her family. They were in the middle of custody proceedings, had no official documentation for her nephew but were able to provide toys and a gift card to buy gloves and a hat for the nephew.
- Countless single moms trying to bring some happiness and joy to their children at Christmas
- Countless families who thought they'd never be in the position to have to ask for help and were so grateful that there was some.
I am grateful to all the volunteers who served so willingly and who served our families with happy hearts and genuine smiles.
Thank you so much for this opportunity,
Beth Baillie
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Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
 Jane Deering, Grace Maxbauer, Father Thome and Father Iakovos dedicate Bill Maxbauer Memorial Thursday, Nov. 12, Foundation officials and guests gathered to hold a memorial ceremony to honor loved ones by dedicating trees around the newly landscaped Foundation facility at 826 Hastings.
Visitors included Bill and Suzie Kuras with daughter Molly, Shirley Debelack, Grace Maxbauer and Jane Deering. Officiating were current and former spiritual directors, Father Iakovos, and Rev. Edwin Thome.
Dedications were held for Bill Maxbauer, Hattie Arnold, John Pearson, Bill Steffes, William Maxbauer, Mike Debelack, and Walter Preiss. Honored at an earlier event in the summer was Alice Megerian.
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Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
Traditions Thrive at Father Fred
Jamie Marsh, Board President
Many thanks to Linda and Jerry Carlson, Mandy and John Pampu and Vince and Paula Prusick for hosting a wonderful evening of fellowship on September 29th at the Jolly Pumpkin at Bowers Harbor Inn. It was an honor to be with so many supporters whose tenure with Father Fred went back to the Foundation’s 1989 beginning. I am proud to say their wisdom and vision from those formative years continues to thrive today.
• We strive to treat all who come to us with dignity and respect.
• We are non-denominational; volunteers and clients of all religions or no religion are welcome.
• We start every meeting with prayer and reflection on our mission of service to others.
• We continue to build our services around volunteers.
• We accept no Federal or State funding.
• We are listening to the needs of the G. T. area and making every effort to respond.
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Saturday, October 10th, 2009
It’s Friday in the clothing department at the Father Fred Foundation.
 - Sharon and Sera brought a Father Fred moment to the clothing department
Two young men wearing T-shirts and tennis shoes have arrived by bus. One is looking for a decent pair of shoes and dress clothes to wear to church, maybe for a wedding.
Enter Sharon and Sera, two Friday clothing volunteers. As it happened, earlier that morning, a donor had brought in three pairs of large men’s shoes in excellent condition. One pair fit the young man like a glove.
They located a brand new shirt, but it was for a tuxedo and had no buttons. Sharon got on the phone with Captain’s Quarters in downtown Traverse City, where staff agreed to supply buttons and cufflinks if the young men could get there to pick them up.
“We were working as a team trying to figure out things for these two guys,” Sera said.
A suit jacket fit just right, but the pants were too long. Undaunted, Sera volunteered to shorten them and before anyone knew it, was on her knees measuring and pinning. They also found dress socks to complete the outfit.
“That afternoon, Sera cut the pants, hemmed and pressed them and at 2:00 said she would meet ‘the boys’ at Captain’s Quarters. – they were taking the bus down there,” Sharon recalled.
“They were extremely grateful,” Sera said.
Alterations aren’t typically a service offered at the Foundation, said Sharon, explaining that when he was chaplain at the Traverse City State Hospital, she worked there as a nurse. “He went out of his way for people.
“We can’t do what we did with those young men for everyone, but I try to treat everyone who comes in as if they are a customer in a high-end clothing store. I think that’s who we should be.”
And there’s satisfaction in that for the volunteers.
“It’s when you feel you’ve made a difference, and given people something they don’t expect,” Sharon said. “We should be that.
“They get enough of the other stuff. We should be there to help them with their clothing needs.”
Sera agreed.
“That’s the reason I enjoy volunteering here so much,” she said. “Everybody just rallies together to meet individual needs.”
Volunteer now by calling Jan Zolik at 231.947.2055 ext. 34.
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Thursday, September 24th, 2009
 Rev. Semeyn delivers coats from Faith Reform Church to Father Fred The Father Fred Foundation needs winter clothing items that are clean and in good condition to give to children and families in need, specifically, coats, hats, boots, mittens, and snow pants. Churches groups interested in organizing a winter clothing drive between now and December 31 are encouraged to call Kathy Gibbons at 947-2055 ext 34 or visit www.fatherfred.org.
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Monday, September 14th, 2009
 Sixty Eight Volunteers Make the September 12th Garage Sale a Big Success The Father Fred Foundation announced today that volunteers generated record-setting net proceeds of $24,904 at their Fall Garage Sale held Saturday, Sept. 12.
Funds will be directed to provide financial aid to families struggling with utility shut offs and medical emergencies.
“We are thrilled,” said David Abeel, director of development. “These funds will cover our budget for financial aid to families for the next three weeks. We had perfect weather, a great crowd and an exceptional inventory for the sale. The community had a great response to our call for donated items. Special thanks to volunteer leaders Barb Evans, Judy Baker, and Nancy Larson and their corps of dedicated volunteers who worked so hard during the last month to make this happen. Thanks also to Denoyer Brothers Moving and Storage who supplied us with a semi trailer that was parked on site here for two weeks leading up to the sale, so that we could continue accepting donations while setting up. We had wonderful music thanks to The Cherry Blossom Ramblers, Donna Wilson-Probes and Lawrence Probes and extra help with the heavy lifting from a crew provided by the Grand Traverse County Jail management.”
The Father Fred Foundation is a non-denominational charity providing food, clothing, household goods, financial assistance and HOPE to thousands of families and individuals in crisis living in the five-county Grand Traverse region. Its work is carried out by the efforts of a small staff and 160-plus volunteers. Funding is entirely dependent on the generosity and creative support of the local community.
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Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
The Father Fred Foundation needs strong people, able to lift 50-plus pounds, with a valid driver's license and a good driving record to work with our furniture inventory and pickups department. Hours needed are Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 2 PM. Please call Sue at 231-947-2055, ext. 34 or email her at sbauer@fatherfred.org.
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Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
 Alice Campaeu gives back Alice Campeau came to the Foundation in 2004 seeking help to catch up on overdue utility bills for her disabled son. After suffering a terrible car accident and near death experience in 2007, Alice was able to make a remarkable comeback physically and was inspired to visit the Foundation a second time. This time Alice made a major financial gift to the Foundation from her accident settlement. She feels there was a reason she survived and part of that was to support the good work of the Foundation. “Alice is an inspiration to us all. She received help in her moment of need and now she generously shares with other families who are in crisis,” said David Abeel, Director of Development.
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