A great trip down memory lane!
Archive for the ‘Spirituality’ Category
Tribute to Father Thome
Friday, January 15th, 2010Father Iakavos Olechnowicz on IPR
Friday, December 18th, 2009
Almost one year ago, Father Iakavos Olechnowicz became the spiritual director of the Father Fred Foundation. The foundation is a charitable organization in Traverse City that serves people who need food, clothing and financial assistance. It's unusual for a group like that to have a spiritual director. And this is an unusual time to be doing charitable work. Iakovos spoke with Peter Payette about his experience.
Happy Holidays from Father Fred Foundation
Monday, November 23rd, 2009Memorial Tribute Paid to Former Volunteers and Loved Ones
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
Jane Deering, Grace Maxbauer, Father Thome and Father Iakovos dedicate Bill Maxbauer Memorial
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.
Volunteers Outfit Young Men in Sunday Best
Saturday, October 10th, 2009It’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.
Winter Clothing Needed at the Father Fred Foundation
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.
September 12th Garage Sale Nets Father Fred Foundation $24,904
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.
Alice Campeau: Received Help and Now Is a Major Help to Others
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Alice Campaeu gives back
Giving Back
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
Couple Shares Time, Company Resources with Foundation
Fred Moore can still remember being a boy in a family of 11 children and receiving charitable baskets of food at the holidays.
Now he and wife Colby volunteer every week at the Foundation, which supports families just like the one he grew up in, and many others.
They don’t stop at volunteering. As owners of Magnum Hospitality, which operates Red Mesa Grill in Traverse City and Boyne City and Pearl’s in Elk Rapids, they sponsor a program called “Help Everyone Eat.” Five percent of gross sales on the first Thursday of each month and all Thursdays in December from the Traverse City Red Mesa are donated to the Foundation. Similar efforts in the other restaurants benefit food pantries in those communities. The Foundation received $9,100 from this unique fundraiser in 2008.
“Being in the restaurant business, it’s a natural fit,” said Fred, adding that hunger is more widespread than many know. “I don’t think people are aware that you can be working and still be hungry.”
Colby assists with bookkeeping and works in the clothing department and Fred helps staff the warehouse, driving a van to pick up furniture from donors.
“It really opens your eyes to a lot of different people and situations,” says Colby. “When you talk to somebody one on one as you are hanging up clothes, you can directly help a person and I love it.
One of their chefs also spends time volunteering at the foundation when he can get away from the restaurant.
“When I was a child, more than one of my Thanksgivings and Christmases were made of baskets like these,” said Fred, standing in the food warehouse and gesturing at the cases of canned and dry goods. “You just want to give back. It’s a tremendous group of people.”
In Their Own Words
Sunday, July 26th, 2009Dear Father Fred Foundation:
I would like to thank you for your kindness. I have never had a medical emergency that I wasn't able to pay for, however since my company downsized and eliminated my job and being here without family or friends I had no idea what I was going to do. I prayed and asked the Lord to help me, I was in so much pain. I had called several dentists and finally someone at the last dentist office suggested that I contact Father Fred. The Lord has surely answered my prayer by bringing you to my attention and having your ordination be a beacon to this wandering sole. May the Lord always bless you and your staff, and I along with all you help wish to thank you for everything you have done to make our lives just more livable and help us with our daily trials. Thank you again for helping me.
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I had my daughter 2 years ago…We are living in a campground until we find better…I am a victim of domestic violence but trying to get past these hardships!
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I have 5 kids and I am married .our son has epilepsy and our daughter had kidney failure and a new kidney put in. God bless that donor when it comes to food or clothes…
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I am a farmer and just got married to a wonderful person…she lost her job and health insurance so we are asking for help for her prescriptions. When sweet corn comes in I will be donating this.
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Thank you ..that we have beds for mama and sis to sleep in.
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We live in a trailer. Some windows are broken and we need to get our heat switched from propane to natural gas.
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Every year we migrate to Michigan in June and find it difficult to settle down because we have to start all over again. We are a very big family and cannot carry much on our trip. The clothing you provide is very helpful to us as well as the food. Thank you.
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I am a disabled 63 year old woman. You have helped me maintain my dignity during this stressful time.
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I just received my last unemployment check so its kind of rough…
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I sleep in car to save money for winter. I have severe incontinence and it is not something I tell everyone, it is hard to live with, you all have been very helpful in getting the supplies that I need.
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I am a full time student on a strict budget, there have been times that I wouldn’t have eaten had it not been for Fr. Fred….My gpa is 3.96 and I was just awarded an Honors Scholarship…
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Right now I have a family of two but I’m pregnant right now so it will soon be three. I’m staying at the Goodwill Inn for right now.
Due to death in the family, a heart attack and triple by passing things have been pretty rough.
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I am retired and living on a fixed income and have been getting behind on my rent…
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There are three in our family, my husband and I are college students with a new baby girl.
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Thank you for all the food. Thank you for helping my family!
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I am unemployed with 2 kids living in a garage. My partner waited until our baby was born then left us all for an affair. So we are low now, but we won’t be always.
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Thank you for helping my son with his electric bill…he is 26 yrs old. He was injured in a work related accident…for a company that had no workman’s comp insurance….
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Without your help I would not have been able to get the knee brace and food I needed. Thank you.
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Thank you very much …you have helped me with clothes and shoes. I am new to this area and really needed the help to get back on my feet.
