Archive for the ‘Gifts’ Category
Monday, March 29th, 2010
Please extend a big “Thank You” to all church volunteers from many faiths who helped make the Father Fred Foundation Easter Basket project such a success. 1,000 children received a basket this year because of your generous donations of time and treasure.
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, March 29th, 2010
Father Fred Foundation volunteers will begin distribution of 1,000 Easter Baskets starting at 10 AM on Tuesday March 30 through noon time on Friday April 2.
370 families supporting 837 children, ages 2 to 10 years old, have signed up to receive baskets. In addition to distribution at the Foundation, baskets will also be delivered to the Goodwill Inn, Kalkaska Interfaith Resources and the community Easter dinner, to be held at the VFW.
The baskets were supported by 40 cash gifts along with donations of baskets and materials from church groups, service clubs and individuals. Churches, scout troops and individuals volunteered their time to make sure baskets were assembled and ready.
Each basket this year will have an Easter story, a story book, coloring book and crayons, a stuffed toy, packaged candy or dried fruit, chocolate cross or bunny, tooth brush and tooth paste, and a small cross donated by a local church group.
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, March 22nd, 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.
 National Junior Honor Society Students Work on 2010 Easter Basket Project 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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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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