Romeo Observer Article

Romeo area residents rally to help hurricane victims
by MICHELLE TANGUAY
Observer News Editor
Romeo area residents have once again displayed their compassion and generosity by coming together to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. From accepting donations of items and money to holding fundraisers, adults and children alike are helping the many whose lives have been devastated by the hurricane. One 7-year-old Romeo girl was so upset by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, she spent her Labor Day weekend selling lemonade to help those affected, especially the babies. Nicole Beaufait learned of the hurricane as her parents were watching television coverage of it. “I was watching the news and she was asking questions,” said her mother, Mary Jo Beaufait. “She said, `Mom, we have to have a family meeting,’” Mary Jo said. From that meeting, Nicole decided to have a lemonade stand to raise money. Assisted by her sister, Erin, 5, she set up a table outside of her house and made signs. Despite all of the activities going on during the Peach Festival, Nicole did not want to leave her stand, according to her mom. “She didn’t want to go to the carnival or go to the parade,” she said. Nicole, a second-grader at Croswell Elementary School, earned $100 for her efforts. “It made me feel really good,” she said of knowing that she is helping others. She has decided to use the money to buy diapers, baby food and canned food and then donate the items to the Salvation Army. “I was so extremely proud of her,” Mary Jo said. Members of First Baptist Church of Romeo also recognized the need to help the smallest victims of the hurricane. Earlier this month, eight members from the church traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss., bringing with them diapers, baby food and 3,000 pounds of water as well as a $3,500 donation. The eight men left on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and returned on Thursday, Sept. 8, and teamed up with a church from the west side of the state. All of the items taken had been donated in one day’s time after an announcement was made during the church’s services Sunday, Sept. 4. Adam McLane, pastor of student ministries at First Baptist, made the trip and was impressed with the congregation’s generosity. “People were so compassionate,” McLane said. “They just sprang to action.” When the group arrived in Hattiesburg, which is 60 to 70 miles from the Gulf coast, McLane said about one-third to one-half of the trees were down and signs were all blown out. He said on the day they arrived, about 50 percent of the city’s power came back online. After the truck was unloaded, the items were immediately reloaded on a U-Haul truck to be taken down to the Gulf coast, McLane said. While the group was only in Hattiesburg for a few hours, he said members were encouraged by what they saw. “What we really saw was neighbors helping neighbors,” he said. “We left more encouraged than we thought we would be,” he continued. Other members of the group were First Baptist Pastor Bob Bryant, Nathan Jordan, director of children’s ministries, and church members John Vasos, Dan Kueppers, Cliff Phillips, Dave Wrobleski and Richard Cummings. McLane said the church is working on some other ideas to assist the hurricane victims. For more information, go to the church’s Web site www.fbcromeo.org Here is a rundown of some other ways residents can help:
* Celebrationz will hold a benefit for hurricane victims 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 18. On that day, Celebrationz will donate all of the money made from haircuts to the relief effort. The benefit will also feature chair massages by a representative of Origins Institute for $1 a minute with all money donated to the effort. In addition, the Romeo High School cheerleaders will hold a car wash and donate all of the proceeds. The event will also feature live music. Celebrationz is located at 299 S. Main St. in Romeo.
* Members of the newly-formed Brownie Girl Scout Troop #3081 are seeking a business or individual to match the donation they plan to give the American Red Cross to help the victims of the hurricane. The troop was scheduled to have a bake sale at the Orchard Primary School Open House Sept. 13. Members also sold concessions during the Peach Festival. The Brownies will make a decision on their donation during their meeting Sept. 27. Anyone wishing to match the donation should call Christine Callender at (810) 798-0105 or Diane Palazzola at (810) 796-9146.
* Oakwood Cabinets in Almont is serving as a hurricane emergency relief drop-off location through Thursday, Sept. 15. Supplies needed include water, toiletries, batteries, non-perishable food items, candles, diapers, formula, new clothing items, shoes, paper products (paper plates, napkins, silverware, paper towels, etc.) Supplies can be dropped off 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oakwood Cabinets is located at 3803 Van Dyke. Call (810) 798-3032.
* Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep is accepting donations from residents or businesses who wish to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. The dealership’s 115 employees are making donations and Dick Huvaere, president of Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep, will match all employee donations 100 percent. “I’ve been through two hurricanes myself, so I know firsthand the devastation that something like this can cause,” Huvaere said. “We’ve asked all of our employees to help in any way that they can.” Donations will given to the Salvation Army. Send donations in the form of a check to Richmond Chrysler Dodge Jeep Hurricane Relief Program, P.O. Box 310, Richmond, MI 48062.
* The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is taking donations for hurricane relief. Donations can be dropped off at St. John Lutheran Church in Romeo or mailed to: ELCA Domestic Disaster Response, P.O. Box 71764, Chicago, IL 60694-1764. Checks should be made out to ELCA Domestic Disaster Response with Hurricane Katrina written on the notation line. St. John is located at 246 Benjamin in Romeo.
* Schools in the Romeo School District are expected to hold fundraisers this month in their buildings to raise money for the hurricane relief effort. Once the fundraisers are held, the money raised will be combined and offered as one donation from the district.
* Macomb County has announced a coordinated effort known as Macomb Together to collect financial donations from residents and businesses all over the county and then give the money directly to aid agencies helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. “All of Macomb County is concerned about the agony and loss caused by Hurricane Katrina,” said Nancy White, chairwoman of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners. “We are standing together to funnel relief in a highly coordinated way directly to where it’s needed most.” Donations can be dropped off at six different locations throughout the county. Locally, donations can be dropped off at the 42nd District Court building, 14713 33 Mile Road. Checks should be made out to the Salvation Army or American Red Cross. Checks can also be mailed to: Macomb Together, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.