By STEPHANIE BEACH
The annual Father Fred Foundation fall garage sale was a lot of hard work that paid off with record-setting proceeds of more than $25,000, which will help families facing utility shut-offs and medical emergencies.
"We are thrilled," wrote David Abeel, director of development for the foundation. "We had perfect weather, a great crowd and an exceptional inventory for the sale. These funds will cover our budget for financial aid to families for the next three weeks."
Abeel also would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the event, including all the volunteers, led by Barb Evans, Judy Baker and Nancy Larson, who worked tirelessly to get ready for the sale; the community for responding so generously to the call for donated items and coming out to shop; Denoyer Brothers Moving and Storage for providing a semi-trailer that was parked on-site so donations could continue to be accepted while organizers got ready for the sale; the Grand Traverse County Jail crew who helped with heavy lifting and moving; and Donna Wilson-Probes and Lawrence Probes for the wonderful music that greeted shoppers at the garage sale entrance.
The Father Fred Foundation is a non-denominational charity that provides food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to families and individuals in crisis living in the five-county Grand Traverse region. For more information or to support the foundation, visit www.fatherfred.org. Checks also may be mailed to P.O. Box 2260, Traverse City, MI 49685.
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The Traverse City Rotary sold a total of $4,505 in raffle tickets for two Pirate Chests during the Maritime Heritage Schooner Festival and declared the fundraiser a success for both the club and its campaign to end polio all over the world.
Rotary has been working since the 1980s to end polio everywhere. Traverse City Rotarians have traveled at their own expense to immunize children around the world and the PolioPlus program pays only for the vaccine.
The money raised through ticket sales will be matched by the Traverse City Rotary and the resulting $9,010 will be matched by a challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This means that the grand total of $18,020 will be used to pay for polio vaccine.
Rotary would like to thank all the ticket buyers and contributors to the treasure chests for their part in this successful fundraiser.
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Dakoske/Phoenix Addiction Treatment Services wrote to thank everyone who attended the Sept. 15 candlelight vigil to support National Recovery Month. For more information on services or questions about addiction, call 922-4810 or (800) 622-4810.
Stephanie Beach can be reached at sbeach@record-eagle.com.
