Volunteer Week

Families NATIONAL April 17th - 23rd VOLUNTEER WEEK Who Volunteer Together

News Photo by Darby Hinkley

Aileen Higgins, 6, Lindsay Higgins, and Lillian Higgins, 8, pick up litter at Rotary Island Mill Park on Saturday morning. See story on page 2.

A S U P PLEM ENT TO THE ALPENA NEWS • THURS DAY, A PR I L 1 4 , 2 0 2 2

The best way to do our part Alpena family picks up litter together

By DARBY HINKLEY News Lifestyles Editor ALPENA — These girls have been picking up litter since they could walk.

Lillian Higgins, 8, and her sister, Aileen Higgins, 6, have learned that keeping our landscape and waters clean is an important part of being a responsible citizen of Earth.

Conservation is a family tradition. The girls’ mom, Lindsay Higgins, grew up learning to take care of the world around her and respect nature and wildlife.

“I love our Earth,” Lindsay said.

“I suppose a lot of it has to do with how I was brought up. My dad and grandpa both worked for the (Michigan Department of Natural Resources), and were big into conservation. They were both forest

fire officers. We learned a lot about natural resources and preservation of, particularly, the state’s resources.”

The Higginses have participated in many community cleanup projects, including those organized by Great Lakes Great Responsibility.

They plan to participate in Dive into Earth Day Community Cleanup, set for April 23.

Meag Schwartz is the founder of Great Lakes Great Responsibility.

“Meag is, to them, like a superhero,” Lindsay said of her girls.

“It’s pretty cool.”

She added that it’s vital to instill a love for nature and our natural resources into children so that they grow up with the right habits and values pertaining to nature and wildlife.

“I want that to be something that’s important to them, also,” Lindsay said of teaching her kids to clean up the great outdoors. “And they enjoy doing it.”

For the girls, it’s all about the animals.

Lillian said it’s important to pick up litter “because all of the animals can live.”

Her sister, Aileen, agreed, adding that she picks up litter “so we can save the animals.”

Lillian added: “I bring straws and plastic forks home” from school, then they recycle them.

They both said they plan to continue to pick up trash and do everything they can for the animals and the environment as they grow into responsible, Earth-conscious adults.

Lindsay’s husband and the girls’ dad, Declan Higgins, also picks up litter with his family, whether at city parks such as Rotary Island Mill Park or on local trails. Wherever they are, you can usually find them with a trash bag in hand, just in case of litter.

“If we see something, we pick it up,” Lindsay said. “We don’t like to pass it.”

She knows conservation is a worldwide issue, but, if everyone picks up some litter, the Earth will be cleaner, little by little.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve seen that it’s a way bigger issue than what’s in my own community,” Lindsay said. “But I feel like this is the best way to do our part.”

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!

____________________________________________ 2 - Volunteer Week ~ Thursday, April 14, 2022

MAB Award for Broadcast Excellence My Town Series Carroll Broadcasting

Rise up to help a neighbor McWilliams, Roznowski families give time, resources to Friends Together, Relay for Life

By STEVE SCHULWITZ News Lifestyles Editor ALPENA — Volunteering and helping others in Alpena has been a tradition for the McWilliams family for generations, with the family currently lending its time and other resources to help people with cancer at Friends Together and the local Relay for Life.

Wayne McWilliams and his wife, Karen, said that, growing up, their parents volunteered often and Wayne did so at their side. He said he wasn’t coaxed into helping but, instead, just figured it was part of normal life.

“My mother and father and grandparents were always active, and I just helped do some of the work that needed to be done,” he said. “I look at it as being the price you pay for living on this Earth.”

After seeing the impact their parents’ volunteer effort had on others, the couple’s children began to help out. Daughter Stacy Roznowski said the kids were never forced to participate, but things just naturally evolved into them being active to help others.

“We just did it,” she said.

Karen said her children got involved, in part, because members of the family struggled with cancer. She said that prompted them to play a bigger role in Relay for Life and then larger endeavors.

“They saw what everyone was going through and, now, everyone supported one another and then we started supporting other people who needed help also,” she said.

Stacy and Bryan Roznowski have two children, 26 years old and 22 years old, who are active in their

volunteering efforts. Stacy said the path her children are taking to help others is similar to the one she took.

“They just started doing it,” she said. “They started out helping with the kids’ activities at Relay, and it just kind of took off from there.”

Wayne, Karen, Stacy, and Bryan said volunteering is very rewarding, but they stressed that is not why they do what they do. She said helping others is something everyone should set as a priority, because, one day, you may need help.

“You never know when you are going to need help,” Bryan said.

“It is kind of like paying it forward.

Hopefully, if something ever comes about with one of us, there is a program that can help if we need it.”

The McWilliams and Roznowski families say that Alpena is blessed because it is very charitable and there are many people who give of themselves to assist others.

“Alpena is full of very giving people, and I think Alpena is a rare community when it comes to helping others,” Stacy said. “You go to bigger cities and you just don’t hear about things like you see here. It is almost like you ask and you receive, and people always rise up to help a neighbor.”

Thank You Volunteers...

You Do Make A Difference!

Dennis Artley Michelle Cornish Mark Devers Paul Fredenburg James Gorman Terry King Ann Martin

Jim McNeil Charlie Negro Terry Nelkie Sheila Panknin Byron Parr Sean Pear Brian Shumaker

ALPENA ALCONA AREA CREDIT UNION News Photo by Steve Schulwitz

From left, Bryan Roznowski, Stacy Roznowski, Karen McWilliams, and Wayne McWilliams pose next to the Friends Together sign in Alpena on April 4. The families volunteer at Friends Together and other local clubs and organizations in Alpena.

Four generations of the McWilliams family have given their time and resources to help others in need.

Alpena • Atlanta Lincoln • Oscoda Ossineke • Tawas City 989-356-3577 www.aaacu.com

____________________________________________ Thursday, April 14, 2022 ~Volunteer Week - 3

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____________________________________________ 4 - Volunteer Week ~ Thursday, April 14, 2022

News Photo by Julie Riddle

At their home last week, Angela Addington, left, and Mark Addington talk about some of the volunteer tags they’ve saved from their work helping Alpena-area organizations.

and care for the environment.

The couple moved to Alpena two decades ago and have since served as a behind-the-scenes force at many an Alpena event, from music festivals to Halloween bashes.

Volunteering allows the couple to use their skills for good, Angela said. A graphic designer, she sometimes creates logos or other materials for events, while her husband offers his skills as a math and computer science educator.

On any given weekend, residents may find the pair selling T-shirts or CDs at a music festival or seating patrons at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival, or perhaps handing out groceries at a pop-up food pantry or picking up garbage on the beach.

Volunteer work often comes with perks, like sitting closest to the stage at a music event as they sell apparel or getting to see great films for free at the film fest, Angela said.

More importantly, the couple gets to help create the community in which they want to live, she said.

They envision Alpena as a welcoming home for arts, culture, and music. When someone spearheads an effort to enrich those areas, “we’re willing to put in a few hours to make that happen,” Angela said.

The couple never made a conscious decision to become a volunteering family — they just did it, the Addingtons said.

Their jobs keep them busy most but they can give their time and en“While we’re here on Earth, weekdays, but weekends fill with ergy through volunteering, Angela we might as well make it a better the volunteer work they both enjoy, said. place,” she said. “Together.” and enjoy doing together. Such reNews Photo by Julie Riddle warding, feel-good work strengthMark Addington, left, and Angela Addington share a laugh on ens their relationship, even as they a beach near their Ossineke home as their son, Forrest, looks on. The Addingtons sometimes clean litter off of local beachstrengthen the community by peres, in addition to other volunteer work. forming it, the couple agreed.

Their son, Forrest, sometimes joins them in their volunteer work.

He’s not always as enthusiastic about it as his parents, they said.

The work’s lessons sink in anyway, Mark said, remembering a proud moment from years ago when his son sprinted down a store aisle to pick up a dropped wallet for a stranger.

The itch to get involved came naturally to Angela, whose artistic, activist parents pitched in to support the arts and their community.

The son of a pastor, raised amid church activities and ministry work, Mark learned young to help people less well-off than himself.

Volunteering sometimes shows the couple a side of life that’s hard to see. While delivering food or Christmas gifts to low-income Te Alpena Volunteer Center would like to say thank you families, the Addingtons see others to the dedicated individuals who have voluntarily given in dire need and hear stories that their time and resources to improve the quality of life in make them grateful for steady jobs Northeast Michigan. Your caring eforts give us pride in and ready access to food, electricour community and hope for a bright tomorrow. ity, and a roof over their heads.

The couple daydreams of winning A special thank you goes out to the following groups: the lottery and giving the money away to people who need it.

• Gear Up Volunteers • Campaign Kick Off Volunteers They don’t have extra money to • Adult Shopping Aids • Christmas Wish List Helpers/ donate to causes they care about,

Connie’s Cafe Connie’s Angels

Connie and Gary Stephan would like to thank all the volunteers who help support the Connie’s Angels team.

Special Thanks to Julie & Mick, Sandy & Randy, Dale & Karen, Hilary, Gloria, Pat & Rick, Carol and Nick Stephan.

The support that we receive during every fund raising event is so deeply appreciated!

Tank You Volunteers!

• School Supply Volunteers • United Way Board Members

Donors, WATZ, The Alpena News, True North Radio, and WBKB TV

Make a Diference Be a Volunteer!

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact the United Way of Northeast Michigan 108 Water Street, Alpena MI 49707 989-354-2221 www.unitedwaynwnemi.org

____________________________________________ Thursday, April 14, 2022 ~Volunteer Week - 5

Heartfelt

THANKS TO ALL VOLUNTEERS!

www.truenorthradionetwork.com

____________________________________________ 6 - Volunteer Week ~ Thursday, April 14, 2022

Community service projects for kids The importance of giving back to one’s community is a value that parents can instill in their children at an early age.

Getting involved in community service as a child may lead to a lifelong commitment to giving back. The following are some ways children can get involved in community service projects.

Spend time with seniors Children can visit seniors in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, provided that the visits are cleared with the home’s staff. Kids can work alongside seniors on craft projects or participate in games like bingo.

Collect food for the needy Volunteering with a local soup kitchen can teach children about the plight of the less fortunate.

Kids also can collect canned or boxed food and deliver it to food pantries so that no needy family has to go hungry.

Improve school grounds Working with the principal of a local school, children can make plans to improve the grounds Ideas include repairing play equipment, planting trees, adding a vegetable or flower garden, or installing buddy benches where friends can find each other and hang out.

Donate eyeglasses Kids can gather used eyeglasses and donate to an organization that recycles them for the needy.

homes communities hope + you

Send care packages Kids can reward first responders and military personnel who live in their communities by putting together care packages for them and their families.

Pick up litter Children can gather like-minded friends and participate in a beach or park cleanup.

Service projects are great ways for kids to get involved and give back to their communities.

MICHIGAN VOLUNTEERING STATISTICS

Volunteers can have a big impact.

In Michigan in 2019: • 2.3 million volunteers contributed 185.9 million hours of service • 29.4% of residents volunteer, ranking Michigan 36th among states • Volunteer service was worth an estimated $4.4 billion • 98% of residents regularly talked or spent time with friends and family • 57.7% of residents did favors for neighbors • 19.6% of residents did something positive for the neighborhood • 28.7% of residents participated in local groups or organizations • 49.3% of residents donated $25 or more to charity Source: Volunteers of America

Thank You Volunteers!

Now more than ever, we need you.

2630 US-23 South, Alpena (989) 354-5555 • www.habitatnemi.org

Thank You

Alpena Community College would like to thank the dedicated individuals who have voluntarily given their time and resources to improve the quality of life in Northeast Michigan. Your caring efforts give us pride in our community and hope for a bright tomorrow.

A special thank you goes out to the following groups: • Academic Advisory Committees • ACC Board of Trustees • ACC Foundation Board of Trustees

• ACC Foundation Scramble for Scholarships Volunteers • ACC Gardeners • Community Education Volunteer Instructors • Science Olympiad Volunteers

Make a Difference, Be a Volunteer!

Friends Together

You make a difference every day!

We are friends helping friends touched by Cancer.

Friends Together - 105 Prentiss St., Alpena, 356-3231

____________________________________________ Thursday, April 14, 2022 ~Volunteer Week - 7

MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEART OF OUR MISSION! THANK YOU FOR GIVING OF YOUR TIME AND TALENTS! FEATURING A FEW FACES OF THE MANY BESSER MUSEUM VOLUNTEERS WE LOVE AND APPRECIATE! Bob Smith

Richard Willis

Ron Meneghel

DeLynn Medina

Matt McCormack

Mike Phillips

Pauline Buchner

Judy Dawley

Tuffy and Bonnie Cross

Sharon Engstrom

____________________________________________ 8 - Volunteer Week ~ Thursday, April 14, 2022

Claudia Chapman

Chris Christopherson

Gloria Weaver