August 5, 2004
NORTHERN NOTES
Kids often don't get the recognition they deserve
By
Record-Eagle staff writer
Renee Cook of Traverse City believes that good kids should make headlines, but often don't.
Recently she and a rare cancer program were the recipients of what she described as "an incredible gift" from two 16 year olds who wanted to make a difference in the world.
"Elizabeth Kinney and Tyler Cook organized, planned and participated in a car wash to raise money for cancer research," Cook wrote. "They called their friends and asked for help to make this car wash a success. Altogether, eight 16 year olds showed up on Cherry Festival Saturday and spent the day washing cars."
Cook added that the teen organizers asked local radio stations to advertise the fund-raiser, purchased the supplies and ran the entire event without adult supervision.
"They wanted to make a difference," Cook wrote. "And they did. They raised a total of $381 for cancer research. When they gave me the donation, I was overwhelmed, surprised and touched beyond words."
The teens wanted to donate the money to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization (Cook's rare form of cancer which receives little or no funding) and Cook's husband agreed to match their donation. When the money was combined they were able to contribute a check for $762.
"I want to personally thank Tyler, Andy, Bryan, Jack, Elizabeth, Angela, Brittany and Kelsey for making a huge difference in my life and the lives of so many others," Cook wrote. "These teenagers are an inspiration to all of us!"
Donations to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization may be sent to ACCOI, P.O. Box 15482, San Diego, CA 92175-5482.
Finding a comfortable, tranquil place to bottle or breast feed your baby, change a diaper or just give young children a quiet break from the activity at events such as the Cherry Festival can be a challenge for families. The Grand Traverse County Health Department has provided such an oasis for families with babies or young children for eight years at the Open Space during the Cherry Festival, but they haven't done it alone.
Frederick L. Keesler, health officer, wrote on behalf of the Health Department staff to thank the National Cherry Festival for facilitating the Baby Comfort Station.
"This year at least 482 people visited the tent for diaper changes and/or to feed their infant or child," Keesler wrote. "It provided both shelter and privacy for these families. It also provided a sanitary place for changing and proper disposal of baby diapers."
The Health Department also wrote to thank the following host volunteers who filled 47 two-hour slots: Grand Traverse and Benzie/Leelanau County Health Department staff, current and former clients of the Health Department, Munson Medical Center staff, Thompson Pharmacy staff, Love for Children representatives, Breastfeeding Coalition representatives, La Leche League representatives, two Grand Traverse County Commissioners, the Family Wisdom Group, MSU Extension's Parents as Teachers and Head Start.
The letter also expressed the Health Department staff's gratitude to Kimberly-Clark for providing diapers and baby wipes.
The world has had numerous heroes lately and Dakoske-Phoenix Addiction Treatment Services numbers the Grand Traverse County Fire Department among these heroes.
Barb Overby wrote on behalf of the Addiction Treatment Services staff with a genuine thank you to the fire department for its always quick and effective response to any situation at the facility.
"We think of you as our heroes," Overby wrote. "We gratefully say thank you for all you do."
The Great Lakes Energy People Fund reached a new milestone in contributions to nonprofit organizations and charitable activities. Forty-six grants for a total of $182,060 were awarded in 2003, which brings the five-year total to $1,025,465.
The GLE People Fund provides grants to nonprofit charitable organizations that enhance the quality of life in the 26 counties served by the electric cooperative. Funds are collected from customer/owners who voluntarily agree to have their bills "rounded up" to the next highest dollar.
Volunteer People Fund Directors serving the area are Terry Distel, Gaylord; Shirley Fornier, Kalkaska; Al Quaal, Gaylord; Mike Stowe, Boyne City; and Tom Walenta, Petoskey. For details, call GLE, (888) 485-2537.
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.
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