Fall 2021 Newsletter Annual Dinner: Picnic
Special Points of
Interest:
Our 2021 Annual Dinner was a success! We are grateful to the committee members who worked so hard to pull the event together and to every one of the attendees.
This year, we tried a variety of new things to ignite that fundraising fire. The biggest change was having a family picnic. We weren’t going to let COVID keep us from having fun together!
When the day finally came, we were pleasantly surprised with nice weather and many smiling faces.
We couldn’t have done this without you!
… More on page 4.
Volume 38, Issue 2
FID Is Hiring!
We are looking for THREE Americorps VISTAs to join our team for the next year. What’s a VISTA, you ask? VISTA stands for Volunteers in Service to America. The program provides one-year, full-time employment opportunities with non-profit and government agencies for people (often recent college grads) who are looking for opportunities to explore career options.
FID has three positions starting in October: one person to support Circles, one person to assist with fundraising and communications, and one person to develop a new volunteer management system for us. If you know anyone who might be interested, have them give us a call at the office. 734-485-7658
Staff Updates 2
Circles and Transportation
Updates 3
Annual Dinner 4
Over The Edge 5
Appointments Only, Please
Please be aware and share with anyone you know who is considering donating furniture that FID is APPOINTMENT ONLY for furniture donations. This allows us to know what we have going in and out of the warehouse and that nothing is ruined by sitting outside over night.
We want to respect your donations and our clients time by only giving them things we ourselves would take. We would hate to see a lovely item be damaged by weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Friends In Deed Fall 2021 Newsletter Page 2
Andrew has finished serving as our VISTA after two
wonderful years of patience and laughter. Andrew was often the man behind the curtain. He helped the
transition when everything had to be online because of COVID, helped set up multiple databases to better
serve our donors and clients, and finished up his last couple of months by redesigning the website (check it
out if you haven't already!).
When he wasn’t lost in coding, he spent time as our Tech Wizard, Game Master,
and friend.
He was a volunteer before he
was a VISTA and plans on
volunteering in to the future.
Wave hello if you see him
during Over The Edge.
VISTA Andrew Green
Megan joined us last year after serving her first VISTA
year with the Mackinac Economic Alliance. After that program ended, Megan began looking for other VISTA
positions because she wanted to “help people rather than just improve a company’s
bottom line”.
She spent her time here focusing
on the Transportation Program,
events, and social media.
Megan brought a fresh
perspective to Friends In Deed along with her humor and
honesty.
She is now spending her time working and attending
classes at Washtenaw Community College.
We wish you all the best on your future endeavors!
VISTA Megan Rochlitz
Goodbye, Laurie Sternberg
The Beginning...
Laurie joined us on staff in 2013 after volunteering for several years on the Helpline. Laurie loved the Helpline and working with Friends In Deed. She especially liked being part of a supportive community that could help keep so many vulnerable neighbors afloat.
Laurie was promoted to the position of Director of Development and Communication in 2015. She
used her background in law and journalism to work on newsletters, events, and grants.
What Did She Do?
Laurie could be found at most committee meetings, every event, and in her office updating the website and many other FID communications pieces. She loved working with the VISTAs, Capstone Students, and volunteers.
What Is She Like?
If you were lucky enough to meet Laurie, and many were, then you would know that she is full of life and ready for almost anything. She would try to make everyone in the office feel included by finding games or movies to bond over.
Laurie would find any reason to bring Dom’s Donuts or Bill’s Hotdogs to the office.
What’s Next for Laurie
Laurie is figuring out her next adventure right now. But you can be sure it will include her beautiful grandson, Misha. And she will be spending time relaxing with her husband and two dogs. Good luck, Laurie! We miss you.
Sarah said:
Laurie’s passion for FID’s work and
the people we serve was amazing. She
is a big part of why we are the agency
we are now. We cannot thank her
enough for her many years of service
at FID.
What’s up with Circles?
Friends In Deed Fall 2021 Newsletter Page 3
Donate A Bicycle Today!
The Newest Portion Of The Transportation Program:
Friends In Deed knows that transportation can be a big obstacle for struggling households. With COVID still
raging on, low income individuals are struggling to get their groceries, find new and maintain jobs, and more.
In an effort to reach more people to improve their independence,
we have expanded our transportation program to include bikes!
For those who don't want or can't afford the financial burden of
vehicle ownership, please call us to see if we have an alternative
that works for you.
We have already given away two bikes and have a few ready
for distribution. If you have a bike that you would like to donate,
please call us at 734-484-4357.
Circles Launches Our THIRD Cohort!
On August 17, Circles held a “Launch”
ceremony to celebrate the accomplishments
of our THIRD group of Circle
Leaders. Seven amazing women completed
their economic empowerment program,
finishing up a nearly two-year commitment.
At The Beginning…
They started their journey in September of
2019, then worked through a 14-week
training program, and, finally, were
“Matched” with their Allies in February of
2020—just two weeks before COVID
shelter-in-place orders kept us all at home.
We shifted to zoom, and even though
many of our Leaders were parents who
had to home-school their kids, they stuck it
out and prospered!
Leader Updates
Melissa got several job promotions; Maya
completed college courses and is almost
finished with her bachelors from EMU;
Ylonda got full-time work AND was
accepted into graduate school at EMU;
Dera purchased a home; Tantinekka
purchased a manufactured home just a few
days after launch; Tanya started her
dream of creating her own podcast and
launched “Tanya’s Bazaar;” and Kiesha
earned her Certified Nursing Assistant
credential. All of this during a pandemic!
We have to hand it to them and their Allies
for all the care, commitment, and creativity
they found to help them not just survive, but
thrive.
Welcome… back!
We will be scheduling Alumni group
meetings soon and are in the midst of
recruiting for our fifth cohort, which will
start in January, 2022.
To find out more information, please email
[email protected] or call the
Circles line at (734) 340-9042.
Continued … Annual Dinner Picnic
Friends In Deed Fall 2021 Newsletter Page 4
This year’s Annual Dinner was a blast!
Not only did we get to spend an
evening at The Valley, but we got to
spend the day with friends and family.
The Valley allowed us
to keep that feeling of
having a nice night out,
but gave us a more
welcoming space for
children.
What Was New?
We wanted to find a balance that
allowed us to be in person while still
following COVID guidelines to ensure
the safety of staff and attendees. After
some back and forth, the committee
landed on a picnic!
Everyone could be outside, bring their
own blankets and chairs, and people
could choose how close they wanted to
be to others.
We also thought a picnic might be good
for the families who had to spend the
last year stuck inside the house.
We kept the silent
auction small this year
with a few picnic basket
ideas and a 5-course
gourmet meal donated
to us by Chef
Emmanuel Saintin and
Wine-Industry Veteran Elisa Weber-
Saintin. We dedicated our Fund the
Mission fundraiser to agency general
operations.
Day Of…
To fully lean in to the picnic experience,
the time was treated as more of a
guideline. People could
come and go much like an
open house between the
hours of 5pm-8pm. To our
surprise, many people
came for the entire time!
The adults could be found
trying their luck at the Wine Pull or
enjoying the catered food from Angel
Food Catering. The children were
preoccupied with running around the
large field and games in the children’s
tent.
Friends In Deed would like to give a big
thanks to the R.F.D. Boys for making
the night special. Their music filled the
barn and the field with tunes the whole
family could enjoy.
What You Accomplished!
The Annual Dinner raised a total of
$30,658!
We hope you were able
to join us, but if not this
year then hopefully the
next!
Did you want to give your
opinion on the event but
hadn’t had the chance? Email
RAPPEL FOR A CAUSE! MANY FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE LIVING TOO CLOSE TO THE EDGE!
Over The Edge
On Saturday, October 2nd, supporters of
Friends In Deed will go “over the edge” to
raise funds for the nonprofit. The “edgers”
will rappel 14 stories down the Graduate
Ann Arbor.
There’s still time…
If you are interested in rappelling, you can still
sign up! Register at
https://www.friendsindeedmi.org/
overtheedge/
In Partnership with
1196 Ecorse Rd.
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
DONATE ONLINE:
www.FriendsInDeedMI.org
Return service requested
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 365 Ann Arbor, MI.
Friends In Deed - Contact Information
1196 Ecorse Rd. Ypsilanti, MI 48198
www.FriendsInDeedMI.org
Administration Line
(734) 485-7658
Help Line (734) 484-4357
Monday-Friday 9:30-2:00
Furniture Line (734) 484-7607
Tuesday-Friday 9:30-12:30
Circles Line (734) 340-9042
Printing: Greater Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association, Inc.
Mailings: Claudia Larson
Content: Amtheyst Floyd
Newsletter Contributors
Did You Know … We are currently looking for someone to become the new Furniture Coordinator? Could it be you?
Do you have previous experience or an interested in helping people in need? Are you interested in or good at organization? Are you thinking about going back to work after getting the kids back to school? If so, the Furniture Coordinator position may be right for you. The position is 25-30 hours/week.
Contact Joye at 734-484-4357 or [email protected]
Think About It ...