April is National Volunteer Month, so it is fitting that we will be ending the month celebrating the tremendous contributions that you have made to the program at our annual Volunteer Recognition Event on April 30 in Lansing!
We value the opportunity to honor you because your outstanding work is what allows Buddy-to-Buddy to make a significant impact on the the lives of veterans throughout in Michigan.
We have already heard back from many of you about attending, but if you haven't had a chance to RSVP yet, please check your calendars and either fill out the RSVP form here or contact Margy Howes at [email protected] or (734) 998-5824.
As always, if you have any questions or comments about your work with Buddy-to-Buddy, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always here to support you.
Stephanie Zarb Buddy-to-Buddy Program Manager
Partnering with 211 Northeast Michigan
Buddy-to-Buddy is pleased to announce our new partnership with 211 Northeast Michigan! 211 is a free service connecting callers with non-profit organizations, including health, veteran and human service programs. We will partner with them by working in tandem to address calls they receive from veterans.
Welcome, New Volunteers!
We welcomed the following volunteers to our team in March:
Alan Kimmel Alan will be volunteering at the Detroit Olympia armory. Alan is an Army veteran having served as an 11C and EOD specialist, serving 7 years including a tour in Iraq and Kuwait. Alan is now working towards a degree in Special Education for Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University.
John Allen John Allen served as a Helicopter Pilot in the Army from 1961-1975, spending a year and half in Vietnam. He recently retired after 16 years of owning and operating a private business. John will be volunteering at the Grand Ledge armory.
Volunteer Veteran of the Month
Burr Tolles was our Volunteer Veteran of the Month for March! Burr has been an asset to Buddy-to-Buddy by handling many referrals with expertise and compassion. Read more about Burr...
Top Log Submitters
The top log submissions in March:
Mike Morehouse – 23
Julia Treme – 20
Joe McClellan – 18
Keith Overby – 16
Mark Lindke – 14
Thank you for taking the time to submit your logs and using the website to communicate with us. These submissions are key in helping us continue to serve Michigan’s veterans.
Buddy-to-Buddy Pics
Buddy-to-Buddy Program Coordinator, Sierra Sharpe, and Program Manager, Stephanie Zarb, meeting with 211 Northeast Michigan program partners.
Volunteers in Action
Dee Harris and David Thomas at a Hiring Our Heroes Job Fair.
Dionne Isadore at USA Hockey's Welcome Home Celebration.
Mike Thorne at the Northwestern Michigan University Veteran Expo.
Mark Lindke at the Washtenaw County Veteran Resource Fair.
Mo De La O carrying the Buddy-to-Buddy guidon during the ruck march from the Pontiac Armory to VFW 1370.
Bob Short with friend Michelle and Stephanie Zarb with husband, Geoff, at the soft premiere of the documentary Death is Not the Answer, which includes a segment with Bob and Geoff.
Click here to view a calendar of events that either our Outreach Coordinator, Valeria Shipp, or various Volunteer Veterans will be attending on behalf of Buddy-to-Buddy. This calendar gets updated on a regular basis and we encourage you to refer to it frequently.
If there are any events throughout the state that you think might be good for Buddy-to-Buddy to have a table at, please contact Valeria Shipp at [email protected] or (734) 249-0380.
Feel Good Video of the Month
Lucca, a military working dog who protected thousands of troops by sniffing out explosives, has received the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. She's the first U.S. Marine Corps dog to be awarded this honor.
Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program 1-888-822-8339 | [email protected] | www.buddytobuddy.org 2025 Traverwood Dr., Suite C | Ann Arbor | MI | 48105
