 |
| |
Dear Volunteers,
I just returned from the annual UP State Fair in Escanaba. Due to the extraordinary efforts of Volunteer Veteran Alfonse Van Hese, this was the fourth year in a row that Buddy-to-Buddy was represented at this event. We keep going back year after year because we make numerous connections with service members, veterans, and their families there. This year was no different, and I even had the honor of assisting the widow of a World War II veteran.
|
|
|
In the early days of my time working for Buddy-to-Buddy, I attended events like this regularly and enjoyed spending time with volunteers and being able to assist those who visited our table. As my role with the program has evolved, I now spend less time attending events, but doing so always helps remind me of the power of peer support and how important it is for the program to be represented in the communities throughout the state.
Thanks to Alfonse Van Hese, Mark Lindke, Paul Clement, and Mike Bachand, Buddy-to-Buddy was able to assist many veterans and their families at the UP State Fair this past week, and we look forward to being there next year to do the same. Thank you to them, and thank you to all of you for the tremendous work you do as Volunteer Veterans by building relationships and connecting others to the resources they need to lead better lives.
And now I am off to go log all of my interactions from the State Fair!
Stephanie Zarb
Program Manager
|
|
Volunteer Veteran of the Month
|
Bob Baumstark was our Volunteer Veteran of the Month for July! He trained into Buddy-to-Buddy in October 2014 and served as an at-large volunteer until recently. He is now assigned to the Detroit Light Guard Armory and is excited about building relationships with the soldiers there. Bob's easygoing and big-hearted nature are sure to make him a trusted resource among the soldiers in that armory.
Read more about Bob...
|
|
|
We welcomed the following volunteers to our team in July:
Monica Alderman served as a Machinist Mate in the U.S. Navy from 2007 to 2009. She is now working toward her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and works at the Macomb County Michigan Works! office assisting veterans seeking employment.
|
|
|
Gabe Gallias served in the United States Navy for 5 years, during which time he performed duties related to construction and project management. Gabe now attends school and is active with his chapter of Student Veterans of America.
Cynthia Horvath has been serving in the Michigan Army National Guard for nearly 8 years. She attends Eastern Michigan University where she is working toward a degree in Nursing. Her husband is
in the MIARNG as well, and together they are expecting their first child in December.
Mark Reynolds served as a Med Tech in the United States Air Force from 1976 to 1980. Since the military, he enjoyed a long career in the construction industry. In addition to joining Buddy-to-Buddy, Mark is a dedicated volunteer with Heartland Hospice.
David Rojas served in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2009, during which time he deployed to Iraq. He now works with the Veterans Treatment Court in Oak Park and is involved with the VFW and DAV. David is also working towards a degree in criminal justice and sociology.
Ken Wood served in the U.S. Air Force from 1973 to 1976 and then in the MIARNG from 1987 to 1993, during which time he deployed in support of Desert Storm. Ken has enjoyed a varied post-military career, working as a police officer, an EMT, and in IT.
Jim Wurn served in the United States Marine Corps from 1965 to 1971, during which time he served in Vietnam. Throughout his career he worked as a retail manager. He’s been very active in the Marine Corps League and has held many positions throughout the organization.
|
|
The top log submissions in July:
Joe McClellan – 42
Mike Morehouse – 21
Steve Alguire – 16
Mike Bachand – 10
Keith Overby – 9
Adeyemi Obanjoko – 9
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.
|
|
|
Training Anniversaries This Month
|
The following volunteers are celebrating their training anniversaries with the program this month:
Five Years
Richard Edmonds
Billy Host
Three Years
James True
|
|
|
Buddy-to-Buddy On WDIV Local 4
|
Buddy-to-Buddy Program Manager Stephanie Zarb and Volunteer Veterans Mark Lindke and Richie Roberts were interviewed about Buddy-to-Buddy and the online crowdfunding campaign for a story that ran on WDIV Local 4 News earlier this month. Watch the story here...
|
|
|
Buddy-to-Buddy On Stateside
|
The Michigan Radio (91.7 FM) program Stateside with Cynthia Canty aired a story this week about Buddy-to-Buddy featuring an interview with Buddy-to-Buddy Program Manager Stephanie Zarb and Volunteer Veteran Ron Springer. Listen to the story here...
|
|
|
Free Tickets for Veterans
|
Did you know that you can sign up to get free tickets to sporting events, concerts, and plays online? Veterans Tickets Foundation (VetTix) provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. Visit www.vettix.org to sign up to be eligible to receive free tickets!
|
|
|
Last month we sent you an email about how the veteran-owned business that supplies us with merchandise, Ivy Promotions, has added a new lightweight t-shirt with the Buddy-to-Buddy logo to other program merchandise items available for sale. If you are interested in purchasing one, please refer to the email about it for more details.
|
|
|
Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veterans with friends and family at a Tigers game.
|
|
A behind-the-scenes shot of Stephanie Zarb being interviewed
by Steve Garagiola of WDIV Local 4 News
|
|
Jim Wurn at the Eastern Michigan State Fair.
|
|
Mark Lindke and Aubree (Paul Jingozian's dog) at the UAW Local 900 Picnic.
|
|
Alfonse Van Hese at the UP State Fair.
|
|
Where Will We Be This Month?
|
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.
|
|
|
Buddy-to-Buddy Volunteer Veteran Program
1-888-822-8339 | [email protected] | www.buddytobuddy.org
2025 Traverwood Dr., Suite C | Ann Arbor | MI | 48105
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
