Fall/Winter 2018
A LEGACY OF
Service
In 1967, Peggy McWhirter, the founder and longtime director of the Easterseals location in Genesee County chose Penny Metcalfe as the child ambassador. Penny was born with cerebral palsy and weighed less than three pounds. She relied on braces and then a wheelchair for mobility. In addition to the challenges she faced, she fought hard against the stigma that permeated society in the 1960s. Her family was repeatedly told to keep their expectations for Penny low. Angered by this, the family Penny and Katie Kogelmann, Director of Genesee Family decided that they were going to do everything they could so their daughter could live a life Services, pose with Peggy McWhirter’s memorial plaque. of inclusion and fulfillment on her terms. She attended Easterseals day camps and participated in many other activities. In addition to the Easterseals services, Penny’s mom was adamant about creating a stigma-free zone at home. Penny had chores, just like her siblings. She wasn’t treated any differently when it came to activities, punishments, or tasks. After graduating from high school, Penny decided to pursue a career as a teacher. Many teachers tried to steer her away from college. Penny was determined to fulfill her dream and enrolled at Michigan State University. She graduated with a degree in teaching and accepted a position teaching children with special needs in Brownsville, Texas. To be fully independent, she wanted to live in a warm climate free from snow. Once she got to Brownsville, she got involved in the community and pushed to make the town more accessible for wheelchairs. Her dedication to the cause made her a local hero to children and families with disabilities. She devoted her life to teaching children with disabilities and recently retired after 36 years of service. She has two grown children of her own and makes frequent trips back to Michigan to see family. Recently Penny and her mother visited us at the same location she received services in years ago and met program director Katie Kogelmann. They went out to the garden to see the plaque dedicated to the memory of Peggy McWhirter. The Easterseals legacy of inclusion and service continues today in 11 locations throughout the state of Michigan, serving over 12,500 people each year. As we approach our 100th anniversary in 2020, we remain committed to our mission.
“I owe everything to Easterseals. They made me believe I could do anything.” ~Penny
Penny, and other Easterseals Child Ambassadors, help sell Easter Seals in 1967.
EVENTS OVER THE EDGE On September 22, we held our most extreme event of the year, Over the Edge. This annual white-knuckle experience allowed participants to rappel 345 feet down the side of the Plaza Towers in Grand Rapids. The event was heavily covered by the Grand Rapids media and we had 60 rappelers take on the massive challenge which raised more than $109,000 for services. Plans are already underway for 2019. Learn more at www.OverTheEdgeWestMI.com.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME…AGAIN! We have partnered with Orion Township and Independence Township for the construction and operation of a new adaptive baseball field in Orion Township. The field will be called Easterseals Miracle League of North Oakland and funded solely by community, corporate and foundation contributions. It will provide recreational opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities. “We are thrilled to announce this partnership, and true collaboration which is too often lost in government,” Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett said. “By joining forces, we are able to bring many additional resources and create a much better field than what we originally envisioned when we kicked off our Orion on Deck project.”
MILES THAT MATTER On September 29, we hosted a brand-new family-friendly event at Stony Creek Metropark. The event included a 5K run, a 1-mile walk, bounce houses, face painting, live dance performances, arts & crafts, and so much more. This great event brought in nearly $34,000 for Easterseals Michigan!
“The Miracle League makes you fall in love with baseball again and again,” said Easterseals Michigan President and CEO Brent Wirth. “A shared vision to build this field for children and adults with diverse abilities have catapulted our goal of providing more opportunities and experiences for the community. We are grateful to have wonderful partners at Orion and Independence Township and we can’t wait to bring this ‘miracle’ to the North Oakland area.” This will be the second Easterseals field in Michigan. The first, Easterseals Miracle League of Michigan, is located in Southfield and serves 400 kids a year. We expect to be ready to open in the summer of 2019. You can help us build the field by making a donation at www.EastersealsMichigan.com.
Michael’s story It is because of our amazing supporters like you that Michael was treated by Easterseals Michigan and is now able to ensure “no man is left behind!” Michael, born in Puerto Rico, was adopted by his grandmother and moved to the U.S. as a baby. His grandmother raised him with lots of love and guidance, and as a young man he decided to serve our country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. Michael served in Iraq and Afghanistan for nearly 10 years as an infantry soldier. But at the age of 30, he was injured and could no longer serve in the military. He decided to use the opportunity to come home and take care of his ailing grandmother and aunt. He spent his days making sure his grandmother was getting the proper cancer treatment she needed, preparing meals, and transporting his aunt to and from doctors’ appointments, all while holding down a full-time job. While immersing himself in his caregiver role, Michael was ignoring some of his own emerging mental health concerns. He was experiencing bouts of recklessness, intense anger, and depression - much of which stemmed from his time on the front lines in the Marine Corps. He started to self-medicate with alcohol and marijuana, and while the anger and depression worsened, so did the substance use, until he hit rock bottom and was arrested. As part of Michael’s probation, he was sent to Easterseals Michigan for services. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder. At first, he resisted help and felt it was easier to just ignore his mental health and substance use addiction. He had a hard time trusting his therapists and peers. Furthermore, Michael felt ashamed of his condition due to the stigma in the Latino culture that surrounded mental health. Nonetheless, Michael continued to come to treatment because of a big push from his grandmother, who was convinced he would get better. Slowly, he stopped resisting. He opened up to his therapist and started sharing in group. The more he talked about what was going on in his mind, the more he felt the weight lifting from his shoulders. He felt his anger and recklessness start to dissipate. He began to see that alcohol and marijuana were taking a negative toll on his life and contributing further to his illness. Once he stopped self-medicating and started taking the proper bi-polar medication, Michael found that he was finally able to regain control of his emotions and reactions.
“Once I stopped resisting treatment, everything became so simple. Easterseals gives me the tools and consistency I need to live a better life.” – Michael Today, Michael has a great job as the manager of a restaurant and is engaged to be married. He continues to receive therapy at Easterseals, shares his thoughts in group on a regular basis, and is completely sober. As a Marine he was trained to “never leave a man behind.” Now, he applies the same philosophy in his civilian life. Like the natural caregiver he is, Michael continues to offer his help to his peers. He offers rides to those who have no way of getting to sessions, and urges people to call him to talk when they have a bad day. Because Michael now puts his own mental health and sobriety first, he is better able to support his family and friends. Michael shared with us: “My recovery is my number one priority. Nothing comes before my sobriety. I know that now.”
You can help others going through similar struggles to make transformational life changes. Make a year end gift today and give the gift of hope to those in our community that need a helping hand. Donate in the enclosed envelope or online today at www.EastersealsMichigan.com/MichaelsStory.
PRESIDENTS’ COUNCIL This list represents donors from 10-1-17 through 9-30-18. Independence Level $25,000+ Amway David & Jean Benoit^ Key2Finesse Empowerment Level $10,000 - $24,999 Alpha Gamma Rho-Tau Chapter 022702 Comcast Foundation DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Flagstar Bank Joseph Kallabat & Associates, P.C. Attorneys At Law Michigan Farm Bureau Insurance Samuel L. Westerman Foundation Social Security 567 The Andersons John and Sue Welker Opportunity Level $5,000 - $9,999 Blue Care Network John Byrne Chemical Bank CIBC Dynamic Recruiters, Inc. Galencher Nagy Foundation, Inc. Johnstone Supply Greater Muskegon Area Women’s Pocket Billiards League Gun Lake Casino Jack’s Place For Autism Foundation Peter Smidt Sherman Taylor The Optimist Club Foundation Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. Dignity Level $2,500 - $4,999 Ally Financial Group Blue Cross Complete of Michigan Arts, Beats, & Eats Foundation Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids Foundation BASF Corporation Christopher G. Brady Kevin Carlisle Clear Rate Communications Conway MacKenzie CSL Plasma Dunaskiss Consulting & Development Kimberly Fanelli FATA Automation, Inc. Norbert Froeschke William Fuller Fred L. Gibson David Haas Leonard Hayes Health Alliance Plan of Michigan Heat’N Sweep, Inc. Hirotec America Howard & Howard Community Reinvestment Fund Imperial Beverage John Lieblang^
Lyle Lugten Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Microsoft MIGA International Stuart Pinsky Sam Pizzo Dwayne Seals Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney John R. Szlenkier David R. Vanderhovel White Pine Investment Co. Ability Level $1,000 - $2,499 David T. Albee American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Arctaris Argent Ron Armstrong David Arwine Richard A. Austin Spence Babcock Charles B. Baker Barney Barnhart Jeffrey Bayko Ilene Beers Joseph J. Bell Richard Berkfield Stephen Bernardi Mary L. Berry Robert A. Biggs William Blaylock Jack J. Boak David Bommarito M Todd Boos Mari E. Borowski Bowman Chevrolet Terry Boyette Joni Brooks Gayle Brown Leon P. Brown Marlin Bubnes Jeffrey Cahill Julia Cairns-Rubin Amanda J. Callahan Jeff Camboia* Cambridge Consulting Group Danny L. Campbell Sharon Campbell-Starks^ Vince Carpinelli Mygene L. Carr Perry Casselle Gerald Cleer Colliers International Comcast Comerica Bank Complete Automation, Inc. Maria Consunji Matthew R. Conti Robert J. Coombs Mike Covello Frances E. Creveling Phyllis Crittenden CSM Mechanical, LLC Thomas Cunningham Ken Czerwinski Dennis Dahlstedt Dance Masters of Michigan, Inc. Jackie and Bill Dangl Margaret Davis Frances T. DeBasco
Donna DeFilippo Michael H. Delap Dematic Employee Association Rick Depauw Stephen Destefano William Dickens Tim Dunaitis Susan Dunaitis Duane Dunn Denise Durkee* Marylynn Early Bradley Ellis Martin J. Elwart David Enrici Enterprise Holdings Foundation Epsilon Sigma Alpha Foundation Frank Ewasyshyn Emmett P. Feely Kevin Fetzer Robert Figurski Christopher Fish Shannon Fisher Dr. Sam Flanders^ Randolph L. Forester Foundation Clifford Forris James C. Forsythe Patrick Fox Kenneth Gabriel^ Genesis Financial Partners The Genoa Foundation James T. Goble Antonio Gonsalez John W. Grant Grant Thornton James M. Gray Great Lakes Tape Corp. DBA GLT International Bernard Gross Duren R. Gutierrez* Guy Hurley, LLC Larry Hall William Hanley Charlie Hansen John L. Harkins Juliana Harper* C. Hendrickson Sandra A. Hertz Hevel Flooring Robert Hillson Marcia Hogan The Holman Family Fund Jackie Hooper* Joe Hootman Mark Horan Stacy Horton William Horvath Cameron and Gail Hosner* Claire Hulleza* Elizabeth Hurd Anthony Iaquinto Ellen Ingram Kevin R. Ivey Jack Cramer & Associates, Inc. Michael Jacobson^ Jacqui Milzow Memorial Scholarship Fund Judith Johnston Angela D. Jones K. P. Construction LLC Talal Kakish Daniel Kalinowski Paul Kamps Tim Kenrick
Elizabeth and John Kersten^ Todd Kimmelman Robert Kleinstiver Mark Kline* Stephen T. Klucka John R. Knirk Joseph P. Kolly Cassie Konja Donald F. Kopka Kenneth Kozlowski Leita D. Krucker Michael Kupinski Elizabeth E. Lakin Jamie L. Law Richard Leachman ODell R. Lechevalier Matt Leuchtmann Levine Benjamin Law Office Jennifer Lewis Anthony Licata Allen R. Linson Jack Long Jan Mack Annette Marcath^ MassMutual Todd McCallum Bill McCune Peter McElroy^ Dylan McIlrath Terry McLaughlin* David A. McNabnay Thomas McNamara Trevor Medley Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. Paul Michalski Michigan State Council Knights of Columbus Mark Mikaelian Emily Milanowski Dr. Lynda Misra^ Leo Mitchell David Moellring Craig Monterosso Melissa Moody* Albin Murawski MyCare Health Center Valissa Naganashe Peter Nagle Jonathan Neumann Timmy Norton Oak Electric Service, Inc. Mindy O’Brien* Olson-Kulka Foundation Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc. Frank Pace Brian Pannebecker Lonnie C. Peace Richard Peck Jerry M. Pencak Aaron Phillips Chad Phinney Russell G. Pipia Pixel Velocity James Proffer Norb Promo* Denis Raue James S. Reed Kathleen Regan Aaron Reisner Reiter & Walsh, PC Elmer W. Roland Ronald L. Spitzley Living Trust
Ronald Rose Steve M. Rudnik Laurie Rukat Stanley A. Rutkowski Christopher J. Sanchez Philip Satterthwaite Jeffrey Schleusener John Schodowski Bruce A. Schuman Earl E. Shaw Don P. Sheldon Ernest Shepard Jonathan Sherman Sleep Number Joshua A. Smail Lyle Smith Gregory Soloko Terry Spicer Neil Springer Donald Squires Norma M. Stanbury Wendy Standifer* The Standing Company Staub Financial Services Elizabeth Stefanik-Messerly David W. Steffes Uriel Stephens* Lavlesh and Ritu Sud Cynthia Sullivan Rick Swartz David Teske Shawn Tilstra John Tobin Transcending Gardens Elizabeth Traver Todd Trayner Johnny Truskowski James Uh Jim and Lee Uhlig^ Douglas W. Ulmer Keelyn Vanderweide Gayle VanderWilp VFS LLC William Vlasic Bryan Voss VTC Insurance Group Dan E. Wagner Karen Warner John J. Watson Phil Watts Chris Whall Jeffrey Wickens Lawrence Willenborg Margaret Williams Beverly Williams* William E. & Norma Sprague Charitable Fund of Grand Rapids Ian Wilson^ Tony Wilson Brent Wirth* Greg Wittman Stephanie Wolf Hull* Martin and Patience Wright Ronald J. Yatsko Marisa Youngblood* Frank J. Zamarelli Honored Corporate Friend Century 21 Town & Country ^ Easterseals Michigan Board Member * Easterseals Michigan Employee
IN MEMORY OF JOHN WELKER On June 24, 2018 we lost a long-time supporter of Easterseals Michigan. Mr. Welker and his wife, Sue, were annual sponsors of our Cheers Gala and very involved in organizations that served individuals with disabilities. John was truly one of a kind and the impact he had on the lives of others will last for generations.
Big Things Happening at Easterseals! This summer we had several big announcements that will enhance the level of care we can offer. These changes will improve the lives of thousands of people and will pave the way to more life-changing services that people expect from Easterseals. Here are some of the highlights! CERTIFIED COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC In September, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow announced that we were one of the few agencies in Michigan that has been selected as the state’s firstever Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. It is anticipated that this announcement will enhance services and pave the way for thousands of people in need of mental health care to gain access to much needed treatments. MICHIGAN AGRABILITY Together with Michigan State University Extension, we were recently notified that our Michigan AgrAbility grant will be renewed for another four years. This program specifically helps farmers with disabilities. This grant will help us serve even more farmers across the state! APPROVED AUTISM EVALUATION CENTER In August, we were named an approved autism evaluation center by Blue Care Network and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. When a family believes their child may have autism, they could wait several months before they are able to get an assessment. This waiting game can not only cause added stress to families, but the children are also months behind on the critical treatments that could positively impact their life. This move will significantly cut down the waiting time for families and, if diagnosed, the child will begin treatment much sooner, thus having a better outcome. INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM Studies show that many young adults with mental health disabilities likely experienced a traumatic event early in their life. In September, we were awarded a grant to help expand this beneficial program to more areas of the state by bringing on additional staff and working with partner locations around the state to ensure that children receive services. “Addressing trauma and mental health early in children and their caregivers can have a positive lifelong impact for generations,” Brent Wirth, President and CEO of Easterseals Michigan. “This grant provides us the privilege to serve over 800 children and their families, while also supporting the community as a whole through developing a trauma focused workforce.”
Board Updates WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS! Recently, we welcomed new members to our Board of Directors. Ruben Familia, the Director of ANA Leader Growth Solutions for Amway. He has been a long-time supporter of Easterseals Puerto Rico – Sociedad de Educacion y Rehabilitacion (SER) and he will be continuing his passion for helping others with Easterseals Michigan.
Ruben Familia
Annette Marcath, Chief Information Officer for Health Alliance Plan, leads the Information Technology department IT Infrastructure Support & Operations, Medical & Business Informatics, Application Development, Business Configuration and the Testing Center of Excellence. Most recently she was named a Notable Woman in Tech by Crain’s Detroit Business. We are looking forward to her participation in our mission and growing our services to help more people. As a reminder all board meetings are open to the public. Go to www.EastersealsMichigan.com to see meeting dates and locations.
KEY2FINESSE
Annette Marcath
This year we were selected by Key2Finesse, an organization comprised of area high school students that look to make a difference in the community. The organization wanted to focus on the importance of mental health awareness, especially in teens. They spent the entire year fundraising for Easterseals Michigan. On October 13, they hosted an event to discuss the importance of mental health services where they awarded Easterseals Michigan with $34,000! Thank you to this amazing group of young people working to make the world a better place.
Raffle Winners Thank you to everyone that participates in our raffles. Your support helps us to serve over 12,500 families every year. Deborah E. of New Albany, IN won $50,000 and a Maserati on May 19, 2018. Kevin F. of Waterford, MI won $100,000 on June 9, 2018. David E. of Caledonia, MI won a 2018 Dream Car and $50,000 on August 4, 2018. Bonny A. of Sun City Center, FL won a 2018 Dream Chevrolet and $50,000 on September 22, 2018.
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Give at www.EastersealsMichigan.com This Giving Tuesday, donate to Easterseals and help change the life of a person with a disability.