Making a Difference

Relief for Victims of Hurricane Matthew

When Hurricane assessment, taking phoMatthew hit the East tos of flooded roads and Coast of the United downed trees. Sam’s duties States during early also included serving as the October 2016, numerous mission radio operator and disaster relief groups flight marshalling. The headed to the area to group lived in the college help. gym at the UNC Pembroke Among those groups Campus. was the Civil Air Patrol Sam returned home on squadron based at October 21. Selfridge ANG, and He said, “I am honored to squadron member Sam have been able to serve on Aldea, a senior at De La Salle Collegiate. Sam Aldea, ‘17 the only search and rescue/ disaster relief ground unit Sam, with a passion for science and the military, from Michigan Wing deployed to North Carolina. This discovered the program in 2012, and has the current deployment was an enlightening experience in ways rank of Cadet Second Lieutenant. He is learning to that are greater than words. No television or newsfly with the squadron and hopes to earn his pilot’s paper can begin to accurately depict the immense license through the United States Air Force Academy. emotion of those affected. I listened to the stories of He has participated in numerous search and rescue hardship from those affected and I could feel the emomissions in places such as Bad Axe and Marine City, tion and hurt in their voices. I remember every story, Michigan. every hand that I shook, and every person who joined The North Carolina Wing Civil Air Patrol, workin to help the relief effort.” ing closely with the National Guard, the Federal At De La Salle, Sam carries a 3.6 GPA. He is active Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other in the Music program, and plays trumpet and drums federal agencies put out the call for help on October in the Marching, Concert, and Jazz Bands. He also 16. Within two participates in Science Olympiad. Sam is waiting for hours, Sam and his final approval for his squadron headed to Eagle Scout project to the Burlington, NC build dog houses for the area. Michigan Animal Care The Michigan group worked closely with disaster relief efforts, passing out food, water, and other necessities, as well as participating in ground damage Sam Aldea and his Civil Air Patrol Squadron in North Carolina Network. He is applying to the United States Air Force Academy to pursue a career in Nuclear and Theoretical Physics. Sam says he will be pursuing a career with the USAF, regardless.

Making A Difference

The Brothers’ Table - A Letter from Brother Bob

Dear Alumni In my mind’s eye, I still see many of you in the Pilots’ hallways and extend to you a “knuckle bump.” First and foremost, thank you for everything you do to support the Mission of the Brothers at De La Salle Collegiate. As Alumni, you play a vital role in our school community. On behalf of the Brothers, I thank you. There are many methods we use to serve our students and all of them reflect St. John Baptist de La Salle’s original vision of education. Foremost, we remain committed to serving the disadvantaged and the poor. We know from generations of St. Joe’s and De La Salle graduates that a Catholic, Lasallian Education does, in fact, transform lives. Many of you are examples of this. I want to tell you briefly about one of the ways we honor an ongoing Lasallian tradition in our school. Our Institute was founded for the children of the working classes and the poor. Poor parents could not afford the time to teach their children, they didn’t have enough schooling themselves, nor could they afford to hire tutors. Our early schools were so successful that the wealthy began to send their sons to our schools. These students shared their lunches with the less fortunate, and de La Salle had to seek donations from the wealthy to keep His schools open. The present times haven’t changed that much. When De La Salle Collegiate first opened, in 1926, needy students were served breakfast on the Brothers’ back porch. We still assist the poor with Tuition Assistance - this year over $1.5 million. And I have seen some of our students share their lunches or purchase food for those who can’t afford a decent meal. Our present lunch program does not assist these needy students. To continue the Brothers’ tradition of serving meals to almost 300 of our needy students, the Brothers’ Community has established a program called “The Brothers’ Table Fund.” In fact, I am proud to say that the Brothers’ Community has made the first gift of $10,000 toward the $50,000 goal. A meal is a most basic necessity, and through this program, we imitate Jesus who fed the hungry while He taught them. We remain committed to our original, humble mission. It is at this most basic level that we change moments, transform days, and inspire more fulfilled lives. We together, YOU and I, are engaged in work that really matters - work that has an enduring purpose. The future of De La Salle Collegiate not only rests with the Brothers and their Lay Partners, but also with your generous response in support of The Brothers’ Table. I thank you for your help in making this possible. During this Christmas and New Year’s season, as we celebrate the Gift of Jesus, let us be generous to those who are not as fortunate as we are. Gratefully yours,

Brother Bob Carnaghi, FSC President Emeritus, De La Salle Collegiate

The Brothers’ Table Fund provides between $4 and $8 per school day to qualified students whose families have completed a simple application. The student’s account is credited with money for the month. To donate directly to The Brothers’ Table Fund, • Go online to thepilothangar.com and make a secure donation. • Include your check in the envelope provided in the middle of The Collegiate and indicate that it’s for The Brothers’ Table Fund. • Contact the De La Salle Collegiate Advancement Office directly at 586.778.3356.

Making A Difference

De La Salle Reaches Out

When Archbishop Allen Vigneron visited De La Salle Collegiate last spring, he met briefly with President John M. Knight. Mr. Knight told the Archbishop of the De La Salle community’s desire to help with the revitalization of the Church in the City of Detroit. Archbishop Vigneron told President Knight the greatest need was on the East Side, particularly at St. Clare de Montefalco in Grosse Pointe Park. The St. Clare Parish and School also serve a large number of Detroit residents. President Knight met with the St. Clare Principal Geoffrey Fisher, ‘96, and the Pastor, Rev. Andrew Kowalczyk, CSMA, in late summer to discuss how De La Salle desired to be a good partner with them, particularly for their educational apostalate. Subsequently, alumni Tom Landa, ‘87, and David Jansen, ‘90, have undertaken a significant wiring and rewiring project at the school and parish offices that has resulted in enhanced internet access. President Knight said, “Tom and Dave are great examples of De La Salle’s finest. We hope this partnering with St. Clare is the beginning of a deepening relationship with a partner school with which we have a rich history.”

Simple, Automatic Ways to Support De La Salle Collegiate

Supporting De La Salle Collegiate during your regular shopping, both in person and online, is easy. De La Salle participates in the Amazon Smile program, the SCRIP program, and Kroger’s Rewards Cards.

AmazonSmile

Amazon will donate .5% of the price of your eligible Amazon Smile purchases to De La Salle Collegiate. • Visit smile.amazon.com • Choose “De La Salle Collegiate” from the search menu. • Bookmark smile.amazon.com so that De La Salle benefits every time you shop.

SCRIP

To help reduce the cost of tuition, DLS participates in the SCRIP program. SCRIP is “substitute money” and is just like a “gift card.” DLS purchases a variety of SCRIP cards from a variety of vendors at a discounted rate, and 75% of that discount, which varies per vendor, is credited to a family’s tuition account. If you are not a current DLS parent, you may still participate in SCRIP, designating the Tuition Assistance Fund as the recipient of your discounted dollars. SCRIP may be used the same as cash to purchase anything from groceries, fuel, clothing, electronics, or household services. SCRIP may be used at hundreds of local stores such as Kroger’s, Nino’s, Sam’s, Kmart, JC Penney’s, Walmart, Sunoco, Speedway, CVS, and more. Contact Sr. Pat Eeckhout in the DLS Business Office at 586.541.6277 or peeckhout@delasallehs.com for more information.

Krogers Rewards Card

All proceeds from the Kroger Rewards are used for the DLS Tuition Assistance Program. Please link your Kroger Rewards card to De La Salle at www.krogercommunityrewards. com The DLS Kroger number is 82989.

Making a Difference

Peter and Connie Cracchiolo Endowed Scholarship

In the Fall of 2015, Dr. Peter Cracchiolo, DDS, ‘03, and his cousin, Greg DeMars Jr., ‘00, met with the De La Salle Collegiate Advancement team to discuss their strong desire to remember their grandparents in a significant way, and to remember and celebrate their good works. The conversation resulted in the creation of the Peter and

Connie Cracchiolo Endowed

Scholarship Fund, an Endowed Scholarship to honor their grandfather, Peter Cracchiolo. Peter and Greg were joined by Peter’s siblings, Matt (‘05), Andrew (‘07), and Mark (‘10) in creating the fund. They presented the idea to to their grandfather on his 98th birthday on September 12, 2015. Peter passed away November 21, 2015. The Cracchiolo Scholarship recognizes Peter, and his late wife, Connie, whose generosity continues to be long and inspiring. “His generosity touched many people and did much to promote Catholic education in Detroit and beyond,” said Greg. “We are truly proud that we have been able to honor their legacy through this scholarship.” A year later, through the generosity of family and friends, the Cracchiolo Scholarship has raised over $87,000. The first scholarship grant will be

made in August 2017 and will be approximately $5,000 (half tuition). President John M. Knight said, “The Cracchiolo Family is wellknown throughout our De La Salle Family. They are one of our ‘legacy families.’ This scholarship is a tribute to Peter and Connie whose good works for many institutions in the greater Metropolitan Detroit area has been significant.” To donate to the Cracchiolo Scholarship, • Go online at thepilothangar.com to make your secure donation. • Call the DLS Advancement

Office at 586.541.6250.

Dr. Peter Cracchiolo ‘03, Peter Cracchiolo, Sr. and Greg DeMars ‘00 with the plaque commemorating the Cracchiolo Scholarship.

Making a Difference

TUG - The Underserved Group

For Joe Szynkowski, ‘80, the lesson was learned 40 years ago, as a De La Salle Collegiate football player. “The coach’s mantra was ‘sudden change.’ We practiced it daily in the context of football. A fumble or an interception represented events that caused SUDDEN CHANGE. And it was an attitude you applied to the game.” Joe has carried that lesson all these years. To Albion College, where he played football. To facing severe illness in 1983, and being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Sudden change. Joe went on to become an LMSW (Licensed Master Social Worker). He spent 18 years with the federallyfunded Job Corps, working with young people who had been born into challenging circumstances and others who had made poor choices. Many had bad grades - making them ineligible for most scholarships. Joe says that despite their backgrounds, these teens were also resilient - and in need of some help to take that next step in their lives. Thus, TUG was born.

Matt Simoncini, CEO of Lear Corporation, with Joe. Joe Szynkowski

Building a Track Record

TUG was a group effort of Joe, along with Pilots Billie Wilson, ‘80, and Brian Kelly, ‘80, (both teachers), along with Dan Marsh, ‘81, and Scott Mordell, ‘80 (both businessmen).The group had formed a bond at De La Salle, and together steered the start-up process in 2007. TUG - The Underserved Group - is a non-profit organization that provides college scholarships to disadvantaged teens in Southeast Michigan. Joe serves as Executive Director. “Scott Mordell, wise businessman that he is, said it would be important to build a track record. That comment has been our mantra since we began,” said Joe. TUG received an initial grant of $5,000 from the Lear Corporation, and its CEO Matt Simoncini. Joe knew Matt as an opponent on the football field at Bishop Gallagher. “Lear has given us over $12,000 since we started, and Matt and Lear are our biggest financial supporters,” says Joe. Joe points out that another 1980 classmate, Paul Grimaldi, has also been a strong supporter and contributor from the start. Joe says, “I grew up with Paul, and I think something about TUG must have resonated with him. He is from the old neighborhood in Detroit, and I would say he is a good example of resilience himself. He lives in Washington State,

Making a Difference

and is now President of his own company, Lynden Transport, Inc.! “The GREAT thing about De La Salle was the diverse student body, and the bond you formed at school that still carries us today,” says Joe.

The Next Step: Scholarship

TUG seeks low-income, at-risk youth who may have made poor choices, but are taking steps to elevate themselves, and are on the way to overcoming these obstacles. TUG awarded the first “Next Step Scholarships” in 2011. Students receive $500 per semester, an amount that is renewed, providing the students keep up a C average. TUG also provides mentoring, with a strong case management component. Thus far, TUG has raised nearly $40,000 - of which $29,000 has been given to 21 active recipients. TUG recently celebrated its first graduate, a young woman now working as a nurse, at its first annual award ceremony, put together by Bob Anderson, ‘78. Two other students, supported with TUG funds, graduated in December with degrees. Two DLS graduates are currently receiving TUG Scholarships - Steven Dane, ‘15, a sophomore at Macomb Community College, and Spencer Hughes, ‘16, a freshman at Wayne State University. “I believe we have developed a solid program,” says Joe. “Moving forward, we will be graduating students each year.” TUG’s most recent fundraiser, in late November, was at the Garden Bowl/Majestic in midtown Detroit, owned by Dave Zainea, also from ‘80, and his family. Joe recently met with Dave, and arranged for all future TUG fundraisers to be held there, with TUG receiving 15% of bar sales. “This is a good partnership, and Dave’s support is greatly appreciated,” said Joe. TUG plans to provide scholarships to an additional ten students - an aggressive goal - but Joe and the TUG board are determined to raise the necessary funds. To learn more about TUG, visit the website at theusg.org. You may make a donation through the website or send to The Underserved Group, P.O. Box 71802, Madison Heights, MI 48071. Feel free to contact Joe Szynkowski directly at 586.431.0013.

George Sokolosky, ‘81, enjoys bowling at the November 2016 TUG Fundraiser at the Garden Bowl.