Northern Notes: An abundance of caring

Stephanie Beach: Northern Notes

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Stephanie Beach
Four generations of women celebrated the birth of the fifth generation at the hospital. From left, great-great-grandmother Gertrude Wisniewski; great-grandmother Marty Haselton; new mom Cady Burkholder holding Zoey Marie Willson, born Oct. 15; and grandmother Jodi Haselton. Special to the Record-Eagle

November 13, 2011

By STEPHANIE BEACH Local columnist The Record Eagle Tue Feb 14, 2012, 12:41 PM EST

Danielle Gardner, of Traverse City, would like to send a big thank-you to the gentleman at Wal-Mart who gave her best friend, Brandy, some money.

Brandy, who has Down syndrome, and Danielle were in the checkout line at Wal-Mart in Traverse City to pay for something that Brandy "wanted really bad."

"When she (Brandy) went to pay for the purchase, this gentleman asked me if she was my daughter. I said, 'No, she is my best friend,'" Danielle wrote. "As we were leaving, he handed her some money, and she was so happy. Thanks to this gentleman for making her day. She is still talking about (it). Brandy is a special girl."

Danielle added that there are some wonderful, caring people in this world.

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Carol Sage, of Kingsley, called to recognize and thank a good Samaritan for his help on Thursday, Oct. 20, a rainy, windy day she described as "beyond miserable."

Carol lives on a private road and as she was leaving to go to town found a large tree blocking her way. After finding none of her neighbors at home, she was wondering what to do when a young man walking past offered to help. Although realtor Christian Nelson, of Elk Rapids, was dressed in good clothes for a house showing, he spent 40 minutes working with Carol's chainsaw to remove the tree.

"I was amazed that he would take the time to help. He went 150 percent out of his way," Carol said.

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The folks at Traverse Health Clinic would like to thank the community for helping them reach their goal in a recent campaign to "Spread the Health."

The nonprofit clinic was founded in 1975 with a small group of northern Michigan doctors and nurses who came together to provide free health care to the region's needy. Today, 36 employees and nearly 500 volunteer providers serve more than 2,500 individuals each month.

The campaign came about when the Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundation and Daniel and Debra Edson generously offered a $25,000 matching challenge if the community could raise $25,000 by the end of August.

The clinic was thrilled to receive overwhelming support from community members, businesses and fellow nonprofits in their campaign. It sends special thanks to Glen's Market on East Eighth Street for holding a three-week donation drive; Greenlight Marketing for social media guidance; Lamar Advertising for the digital outdoor billboard campaign; Team Elmer's for offering to give the clinic up to $5,000 for each Facebook "like" on both clinic and Team Elmer's Facebook pages; The Ticker for promoting the campaign; TV 9&10 news for their story; and WTCM, WCCW, Z93, Real Rock 105.1 FM, Classic Rock the Bear 98.1 FM and 107.1 FM for the air time to spread news about the challenge.

"Special thanks to the lady who followed the campaign, then walked in wanting to make an impactful gift and wrote a check for $5,000," the letter from the Health Clinic stated. "Thanks to everybody who helped share the challenge with friends and colleagues, and thanks to the patients for sharing on Facebook how important our health services have been to them. It was wonderful to have such an outpouring of support for our community mission. Thank you all for your impact and for helping 'Spread the Health' to our uninsured neighbors."

Stephanie Beach can be reached at sbeach@record-eagle.com.