The family and friends of Traverse City twins Noah and Logan Kreiser wrote to thank everyone who has been supporting and following "Noah Bear" and who helped make a Jan. 22 benefit successful.
Noah and Logan were born three months premature in August 2009. In July 2011, Noah was diagnosed with liver cancer and underwent three surgeries in 10 days. He currently is at University of Michigan Hospital awaiting a liver transplant. Proceeds of the benefit will help cover medical and travel expenses and lost wages for the donor during the six- to 12-week recovery period.
"We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers, support and donations," the family wrote. "With all of your help we were able to have a very successful benefit for Noah."
The letter went on to thank Carol South for her wonderful story in the Record-Eagle; Nancy Street from Streeters for allowing them to use her building and for her support planning the event; and everyone who donated food, items, money and their time.
"We had a wonderful turnout for the benefit and just can't believe all of the support we've received. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank each and every one of you for all of your help."
• • •
Rick and Lori Dubro, owners of Rico's Cafe, wrote to thank all of the wonderful people who helped them honor area veterans at the cafe's 11th Appreciation Day. The restaurant served 515 complimentary meals to veterans and current military personnel between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Veterans Day.
The Dubros would like to recognize George Champlin for the military truck he parked in front of the restaurant; Kingsley Cakes and Linda for the cakes; Rick St. Pierre for the flag display; Becky Wiggins for sewing a lap blanket for a raffle; Gordon Food Service for donating food; author Gene Kelly for the books to be given to veterans; Boy Scouts of America for the "mess trays"; Grand Traverse Academy for the handmade thank-you cards ... all 515 of them; the media for getting the word out including the Record-Eagle, 7 & 4 News, 9 & 10 News, and Ron Jolly and WTCM; all the volunteers, some of whom have been doing this for 11 years, including Audrey Egbert, Bryan Groenevelt, Dana and Jamie Logan, Kathy and Elizabeth; the staff at Rico's for all the prep work days before and the cleanup afterward; and Santa. ("We don't know where you came from, but you sure made it even more special.")
• • •
The Coalition to Keep Michigan Warm and the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce wrote to announce that a "Sleep Out" event to raise awareness for home heating assistance needs was a success.
The event was hosted by Doug Luciani, president and CEO of the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce, and was met with open arms by the community. Onsite and online donations have exceeded $10,000, according to Cecil McNally, of Goodwill Industries.
"I appreciate the willingness of so many community leaders to participate in the event," McNally said. "Also, a special thanks to DTE for donating all of the camping equipment to people living on the street and the Chamber for organizing the event."
A huge thank-you goes out to the following community leaders who joined Luciani and McNally on a cold, rainy night for the "Sleep Out" on the lawn of Plante & Moran: Steve Rawlings, DTE Energy regional manager; Tony Anderson, Cherryland Electric Cooperative general manager; Ed Rice, Traverse City Light & Power executive director; Bob Gluszewski, Consumers Energy area manager; Dennis Aloia, county administrator for Grand Traverse County; Steve Cousins, Traverse City Area Public Schools superintendent; Mike Hill, Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District superintendent; Steve Wade, United Way executive director; and Joe Buzzella, commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Traverse City.
• • •
During December, approximately 600 people visited the "Treasures From the Holidays" exhibit at the new Elk Rapids Area Historical Museum in the former Elk Rapids United Methodist Church.
Dan LeBlond, president of the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society, wrote on behalf of the society to thank all the volunteers, both members and friends, who donated their time, talents and items to make the Christmas exhibit such a success.
"Untold hours were spent cleaning, setting up, taking down, hosting visitors or being 'on standby' to shovel snow," LeBlond wrote. "The original founders of the church would be proud to see how marvelous this exhibit looked surrounded by the beautiful stained glass windows. Thank you, Elk Rapids and others in the Grand Traverse region, for supporting this special event."
Stephanie Beach can be reached at sbeach@record-eagle.com.
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