By STEPHANIE BEACH
"Don't look for cherubs playing harps golden-winged and crowned -- But consider the unlikely stranger ... there are angels all around."
-- D. Morgan
The world is full of angels disguised as strangers helping people, but the holidays especially offer an abundance of opportunities for "angelic" intervention.
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Michael Dickinson, VFW Post 2780/Forgotten Eagles of Michigan, wrote wishing he could find a more personal way to thank all of the volunteer angels who donated more than 450 hours to help make the first annual VFW Post 2780 Thanksgiving Dinner a resounding success.
"A success not measured only in volunteers, but in the gratitude and thanks given by every guest at our dinner," Michael wrote. "Volunteering on a holiday is not an easy task, electing to remove yourself from your family to fulfill a desire for a greater good. Few sacrifices feel so great."
Michael went on to write that every meal included food donated by local farmers, vendors and individuals resulting in a completely homemade dinner, right down to the mashed potatoes and gravy. He also sends a special thank-you to organizations that volunteered, including Forgotten Eagles of Michigan, chapter six, VFW, American Military League, AMVETS from Elk Rapids, American Legion volunteers from Fife Lake, Mancelona, Traverse City and Flint, Patriot Guard Riders from Beulah, Young Marines, Disabled American Veterans and a host of civilians with no military affiliation from as far away as Gaylord.
"Thank-yous are not enough," Michael wrote. "If you know a volunteer who worked on their holiday please give them a big hug. They have earned it."
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Sandra Svec, organizer of the 21st annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner, reported that 882 meals were delivered and more than 370 people were served at Trinity Lutheran Church on Thanksgiving Day. The continued success of these yearly holiday meals is due in no small part to the many "angels" who donate food and money and volunteer their time to make it happen, for which Sandra is eternally grateful.
Plans are being finalized for the Christmas Day Dinner, which will again be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1003 S. Maple St., Traverse City. Once again a multitude of angels are needed to make this Christmas miracle happen. To find out how you can help, call Sandra Svec, 263-7130.
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At a time when the need is extremely high, "angels in training" at St. Mary School stepped up to fill the plates of others in need.
The senior class at the Lake Leelanau school, under the leadership of Bradford Schaub, Tyler Shaffran and Kayla Schaub, started the "St. Mary School Food Fight" service project in the ninth grade to bring awareness to the needs of their neighbors and help out the Leelanau Food Pantry.
This year, students in grades six through 12 exceeded the 2008 record of 775 pounds of food by collecting an incredible 1,127 pounds of food. The official winner of the "Food Fight" was the senior class.
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Quota Club of Traverse City came to the aid of Angel Care Child Care Center at a time when there is a huge need in the community.
The club awarded the child care center a $700 grant to provide emergency daycare scholarships to families with immediate needs.
"Quota Club's grant could not have come at a better time. The funds will help ease some of the stress faced by families trying to make ends meet," wrote Kitty Schechter, manager of Angel Care Child Care. "Quota is a true guardian angel. We cannot thank them enough."
