Warren Rotary hops into action for kids
Baskets delivered to needy around state
A disabled mother in Warren counts on the kindness of others when it comes to giving her children Easter baskets. Another in Flint sheds grateful tears when she sees her children receive baskets from Warren humanitarians.
Frank Mallon of the Warren Rotary Club knows Chester Klos, a Warren resident and member of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, from their mutual work with Boy Scout Troop
1930.
Mallon invited Klos to be a guest speaker at the club and show photos of an Easter basket assembly line of volunteers.
In previous years, Klos had Boy Scouts’ physical help but this year steered a group of adult church and family volunteers to assemble Easter baskets. They went to children served by the food pantries of several churches.
The project began a few years ago, and keeps picking up steam.
Mallon’s Rotary club could help by donating money from that club and applying to the Mount Clemens Rotary Foundation for more.
“This is one of our club service projects that we have been supporting for the last five years,” Mallon said. “Our Warren Rotary Club is proud to be supporting this unique charity
project for our most needy children at Easter time.”
The baskets were filled and delivered last week.
“Sometimes I think the people putting the baskets together enjoy it more than the kids getting the baskets. This project has touched their hearts,”
Klos said. “We’ve been so blessed, so it’s time to share.”
Thirty baskets went to the Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Warren. Twenty baskets were donated to the MCREST organization in Roseville, and 30 baskets were delivered to the Salem Lutheran Church in Flint.
“The children in Flint also received three toothbrushes, a mask and a bottle of water,” Mallon said. “Organizations that have food pantries are aware of
the families and children with special needs. Baskets are delivered to the organizations and they distribute the baskets to the needy families.”
Most of the children are 12 years old and younger.
Mallon described the baskets as “super large” with fake grass and colored bags with candy, a chocolate rabbit and a chocolate cross, a religious coloring book and crayons, color sidewalk chalk, a stuffed toy and a matchbox car. They have plastic eggs containing wrapped candy, cheesy and fruity snacks, cookies, and marshmallow bunnies.
“We went to Flint when the water crisis first hit and delivered water,” Klos said. “The church we went to was really in the epicenter. They feed children once a day so they know at
least they eat one meal every day. They did have an Easter egg hunt planned, so we decided to put together the baskets that they can hand out when they hand out food. We felt the need to do something for children whose families are really destitute, who don’t have anything, so why not Easter baskets? Then we learned Mt. Calvary in Warren did pretty much the same thing, so we ended up doing the baskets for them, then added MCREST.”
He said there are 22 items in the baskets packed in colorful bags. Donations come in tens and twenties from church people. Others shop for the basket contents at dollar stores and membership warehouses.
Baskets cost about $15 to $18 to buy and fill.
“We are very thankful for Rotary,” Klos said. “Their donation helps a lot.
“We helped sponsor the startup project and have been donating monies ever since,” Mallon said.
“The children staying in motels from MCREST don’t have anything,” Klos said. “You know they are not going to get anything for Easter. We picked MCREST and the churches because they know who the real destitute people are.”
Klos would like to see Easter baskets for disadvantaged children on a scale like Toys for Tots at Christmastime. He’d like to see the program expand to Turning Point Shelter.
“We never get to see the children, but they tell us they are pretty excited about the baskets,” Klos said.
Rotarians can apply for matching funds from the Macomb County Rotary Foundation. The Warren Rotary Club requested $250 from the foundation which finances child-centered philanthropic efforts.
To send a donation to the Warren Rotary Club, mail to: P.O. Box 952, Warren MI 48080.
Gold Star observance, monument
Monday, April 5 is Gold Star Spouses Day, a day dedicated to those whose spouses gave their lives while serving in the U.S. military or as a result of service-connected injuries or illness.
The Gold Star Family Monument-Clinton Township dedication ceremony is on track for 1 p.m. June 12 at 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township. It is dedicated to all family members of those who have died in military service.
Such monuments have gone up around the country through the Hershel “Woody” Williams Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Inc. Guest speakers at the dedication include Medal of Honor recipients Woody Williams and Jim McCloughan.
Gold Star Families should bring a picture of their loved one to be placed at the monument. Photos will be stored by Clinton Township and displayed at memorial events.
To RSVP for the event, contact Karen Straffon at kcstraffon@comcast.net or 810-278-0415 or 810-2780413.