December 17, 2012

the little paper

Page 11

Credit Union Raises Money for Animal Shelter, Holds Successful Pet Adoption
shelter and is a primary fund-raiser for the new facility, which provides a temporary home for mostly stray dogs and cats. Mercier said the donation stemmed from the credit unions casual dress day, in which 40 employees donated $5 each for the privilege of wearing jeans to work on October 18. The same day, the credit union held a pet adoption, and staff found homes for four dogs and two cats that had been staying at the shelter. Also on October 18, the Romulus branch celebrated International Credit Union Day Members Matter Most. It was a really successful day, said Mercier, who presented the check during a November City Council meeting. I appreciate it, the city appreciates it, and the cats and dogs appreciate it, Councilman Wadsworth said. The shelter is located at 12300 Wayne Road. The times to meet and visit the animals housed there are 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. weekdays. Other visitation times are available by appointment. For more information on the Romulus Animal Shelter, call 734-942-7591. To make a financial donation to the shelter, contact Councilman Wadsworth at 734-941-0616.

Rolling Thunder Remembers Service Veterans During the Holiday Season

Rob Mercier (right), vice president of growth and development at Public Service Credit Union in Romulus, presented a check for $200 to City Councilman William Wadsworth. The funds will help support the Romulus Animal Shelter. Photo by Roger Kadau Romulus City Councilman William Wadsworth accepted a check for $200 on behalf of the Romulus Animal Shelter from Rob Mercier, vice president of growth and development at Public Service Credit Union (7665 Merriman Road) in Romulus. Wadsworth champions the animal

(From left) Belleville Walmart Co-Manager Eric Johnson and Store Manager Andy Branham accepted a plaque from Rolling Thunder members Keith and Sonna Brockette, Elaine Levin, and Bob McCraight. Also in the photo is the Brockettes granddaughter, Joyia. Photo by Dave Gorgon For 25 years, members of the Rolling Thunder have assisted veterans, the active military, and their families, providing financial aid, food, clothing, and other essentials. They also take time to say thank you to those who help make their charity work possible. Representatives of Rolling Thunder Chapter 5 recently thanked management of the Belleville Walmart store for allowing them to sell many of the 2,000 raffle tickets that allow the group to provide help when its needed most. Chapter President Elaine Levin of Whitmore Lake, Vice President Keith Brockette of Ypsilanti, and other representatives presented a plaque to Store Manager Andy Branham and Co-Manager Eric Johnson. Donations are the only source of income for our chapter, said Brockette, who served in the Army from 1983 to 1985. We use those funds to donate to veterans who need it. We pay electric and gas bills and buy lumber for a ramp if a veteran has lost his legs at war. We buy clothing to donate to a veterans homeless shelter. We just wanted to say thanks. Branham said supporting the Rolling Thunder is important to Walmart. Supporting our veterans is our duty, Branham said. Theyve given so much to us we want to return it to them. Plus, this goes to the local community that supports us. Many members of Rolling Thunder, which was incorporated nationwide in 1995, are veterans and/or ride motorcycles, but neither is a requirement. A quarter century after the group was founded, members are united in the cause to bring full accountability for prisoners of war (POW) and those missing in action (MIA). They ride to Washington DC every Memorial Day weekend to remind government officials, the media, and the public We will not forget. About 90% of us ride a motorcycle, Brockette said. We have members that are veterans and members that are not. The desire to help a veteran is all you need to be a member. As a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization, the Rolling Thunder holds several fund-raisers throughout the year, including this years raffle and spaghetti dinner. Tickets also were sold at $5 apiece at festivals around the region from Howell to Hamburg. Levin, whose son Steve served in the Marines, said the big response to the raffle was key to allowing Chapter 5 to donate to the Michigan Veterans Foundation in Detroit, the Hiot House in Ann Arbor, and Home Zone in Whitmore Lake all homeless shelters for veterans as well as to other veterans in need. Tickets also were sold by individual members, including Romulus Building Director Bob McCraight, a longtime Rolling Thunder participant who gives back to veterans in honor of his father and brother, who both served in the military. I reached out to a lot of friends in Romulus through Facebook who stopped what they were doing and headed to Walmart to purchase tickets and help the veterans, said McCraight, who was on hand for the presentation to the stores management. He also sold more than 120 tickets to City of Romulus employees and elected officials. I want to thank them for their support of Rolling Thunder and their efforts to help our veterans, McCraight said. The Rolling Thunder members said that, while they offer help year-round, the need is greatest during the holiday season. Chapter 5 meetings are held on the second Sunday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Hamburg. For more information on Rolling Thunder, visit www.thepatriots.com.

Free Dinner Served on Christmas Day

Everyone is invited to enjoy a free dinner on Christmas Day. The 2012 True Meaning of Christmas dinner is set for noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 25, at the William D. Ford Senior Activity Center. The meal is open to everybody, especially those alone, less fortunate, or hungry and their guests. This will be the 14th straight year that members of the Domski family pool their resources to offer the dinner. Last year, more than 300 people ate dinner and made memories the largest turnout yet. This year, volunteers will serve hundreds of meals, and there is always food left over. There are so many people who really depend on the dinner, said Larry Domski, a city inspector. Many have no other place to go. Others are financially strapped during these economic times. We welcome everyone. This year, the delicious meal will include turkey and all the trimmings, ham, white and sweet potatoes, gravy, corn, salad, beverages, and desserts. The True Meaning of Christmas dinner started years ago, when the Domski family chose to end its annual gift exchange and put the money toward a meal for anyone to enjoy. More than 20 Domski family members and plenty of volunteers split up the duties, from cooking to serving to cleaning up the center at the end of the day. This wouldnt be possible if not for all of the wonderful volunteers that help every year, Domski said. The City of Taylor donates the use of the Ford Center. The Taylor Police Department helps sponsor the event. Those who cannot arrange transportation to the Ford Center can call for a free ride in advance or on the day of the event. The telephone number is 313-291-7740. Local organizations and churches are asked to spread the word about the dinner. We sincerely want to invite everyone who is in need to join us Christmas Day, Domski said. No one should go hungry on Christmas. Taylors Ford Senior Center is located at 6750 Troy Street, west of Telegraph Road and north of Ecorse Road.

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