Articles in the Ann Arbor’s Heroes Category
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
When a child has a birthday usually the presents get them most excited. While that’s true for Elizabeth Young, a 7th grader from South Arbor Academy, Elizabeth’s excitement stems from much more altruistic motives.
When she was in 4th grade Elizabeth came up with the idea to have her friends bring items for Hope Medical Clinic instead of gifts for herself. Her act of kindness didn’t stop there. Since then she has also organized a baby drive at her church that turned into Hope being the central distribution point for baby formula in Ypsilanti. She came up with the idea for a Valentine’s Day Dance at her church as a fundraiser for Hope. She plants fresh vegetables in her garden for Hope’s Food Bank, and sorts, stocks, packs, and distributes the food.
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
When the cupboards are bare and the bowls are empty, hunger abounds.
The Empty Bowls concept has been used by artists worldwide to raise millions of dollars to fight hunger. For more than 15 years, the Ann Arbor Potter’s Guild and Michigan Ceramics Association have been selling their work at the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival and donating the proceeds to SOS Community Services. Ann Arbor artist and educator Susanne Stephenson has organized the empty bowls booth for SOS since its inception. She first learned about SOS Community Services through students at Eastern Michigan University, and was amazed at the many services SOS provided to the community.
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
Alan Barr is an Ann Arbor catalyst, coach, consultant, author, and speaker. As Founder & CEO/Chief Catalyst of Creative Change Associates, he helps companies around the world transform their organizations. Since last fall he has been volunteering his services with the American Red Cross of Washtenaw County. Alan works with the board, management team, chapter volunteers, and paid staff to build leadership and teambuilding skills.
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
Lucy Ann’s hero this week has every reason to be concerned with himself, but he helps others.
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
Learn about how Lucy Ann’s Hero of the week, Kyle Downey, saved a life.
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
Coach Dawn Whitford & the Saline H.S. Softball Team
April 2009
- Coach Dawn Whitford & the Saline H.S. Softball Team
When we first encountered Dawn Whitford last year she was hard at work raising money for charity through a golf outing she organized for her colleagues at the University of Michigan Health System. This year the 6th UMHS Women’s Tee Party is partnering with SafeHouse of Ann Arbor, which gives shelter and aid to victims of domestic abuse. The 9-Hole golf outing is scheduled for June 18, 2009 at Reddeman Farms Golf Club in Chelsea, and is for female UMHS faculty and staff members.
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
Joe Prochaska, Dexter Senior Center Meals on Wheels
March 21, 2009
- Joe Prochaska, Dexter Meals on Wheels Volunteer
Shortly after he retired from the IRS, Joe Prochaska realized he needed something more in his life. That void was soon filled with volunteering for Dexter Meals on Wheels at the Dexter Senior Center. The program is part of the Washtenaw County ETCS, which is funded through the Area Agency on Aging. The 90 volunteers who deliver meals, like Joe, are the key to homebound people remaining at home where they want to be.
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
Aparna Ghosh, Pioneer H.S. Senior
March 14, 2009
Aparna Ghosh is one of those teenagers who would make any parent proud. She recently was selected as one of Michigan”s
top two youth volunteers by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. With the honor comes $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Aparna’s volunteer experience began at the American Red Cross of Washtenaw County, where she currently sits on the Board of Directors. “Sit” not exactly being the operative word. She’s been a part of the Red Cross Youth Community Action Team for the last five years, helping with fundraisers, giving classes, and serving on a multitude of committees. In addition, she volunteers at UM Mott Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Saline, and wants to become a pediatric neurosurgeon.
Her parents grew up in India, and Aparna says her mother’s stories of hardship there impacted her desire to help others. She set-up a non-profit organization called “Dance to Empower Stronger Healthcare”, and organized a concert featuring Indian dances that raised $5,400 for basic health education and preventive care in a rural area of India.
The next concert is coming up on Saturday, April 4, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM at Washtenaw Community College’s Towsley Auditorium. Email dance4desh@gmail.com or call 734.834.4477 for ticket info. Proceeds this year will go to an organization that makes heart surgeries possible for children in India who cannot afford them.
Aparna Ghosh strives every day to make our community and the world a better place to live, and that’s why she’s our Hero of the Week.
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
Fiona Rose Greenland, Community Action Network Free Toy Lending Library
February 14, 2009
As a senior at the University of Michigan, she garnered national attention when she was named a Rhodes Scholar. Fiona Rose Greenland went on to graduate from Oxford University in England, marry a Brit, and raise two children there. But Ann Arbor was never far from her heart, and soon the Greenland family settled back home where Fiona grew up.
While in England as a stay-at-home mom, Fiona encountered a toy library, staffed by volunteers, that allowed children to come in, play with toys there, and sign out up to three toys to take home. She realized the numerous social benefits such a design offered. Children from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds could socialize, play with unfamiliar toys and learn about sharing and caring for communally-owned puzzles, games, and toys.
It was a perfect idea for Ann Arbor as well. Fiona approached Community Action Network, the umbrella organization for the City of Ann Arbor’s four community centers, and soon Fiona’s Toy Library opened at Bryant Community Center. Open every Thursday from 1:00 PM-3:30 PM, children from 0 to 6 years old can check-out toys for free. All families are welcome, and there is no time limit as to when you return the toys. Break a toy? Not to worry; they know it happens, and there is no charge for broken or lost toys.
Contact Derrick Miller, director of Bryant Community Center, at 734.994.2722 if you can offer assistance with this unique program. Bryant Community Center is located at 3 Eden Court in Ann Arbor. Fiona’s Toy Library is a remarkable program, especially during tough economic times. Besides, anyone who brings joy to a child is a hero in our eyes. And that’s why Fiona Rose Greenland is a hero …
Ann Arbor's Heroes »
Rich Coleman, Pittsfield Township Public Safety Coordinator
February 7, 2009
Rich Coleman makes it his business to know what your kids don’t want you to know. Through his work as Public Safety Coordinator for Pittsfield Township Police, Rich works non-stop to keep our kids safe from on-line predators. He hosts workshops to train parents on video gaming and social networks (MySpace, Facebook, etc.), to ensure that you understand what your kids are doing on-line. He acquires and distributes a massive amount of material on these subjects, and not just to township residents but anyone who asks. While this may be his job, we know that Rich believes in his work so passionately that he never quits fighting for our children. He is a member of the Parents Television Council, produces crime prevention programs on CTN Public Access 17, and often volunteers his expertise and services to many organizations in our community. Most of this work is done on his own time. When a local girl fled to Puerto Rico to join a man who befriended her through XBox live chat, it sent a surge of fear through our community. Luckily, she was found and brought safely home. Still, many parents took a second look at their kids and wondered, “What if that happened to my child?” Rich Coleman works every day to ensure that it never does. Going above and beyond the call of duty. That’s why you are our hero, Rich Coleman.
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