Help Michigan Heroes - Joe Stapel Continues His Work for Frontline Service Workers Who Suffer PTSD

 

Joe Stapel isn't a man that's planning on quitting his commitment to "The Force" anytime soon.  We're not talking about the Star Wars kind either.  Joe is a retired Police Officer and way back when, when he was on the street, it's was the Police Force that kept our neighborhoods safe and sound and we all slept good at night right?  That may be a bit of a romanticized view of police, fire, ambulance or ER workers, but it was certainly a different era that Joe knew, but the "job".....it doesn't really change what happens to those who do it, and sometimes, that requires some help from professionals during or after the job is "done".

PTSD isn't a condition exclusive to those who have served in the Military.  The letters actually stand for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and that an be applied to any kind of situation that causes a great deal of panic and chaos once or multiple times.  Imagine the life of a policemen, firefighter or EMT that sees the repeated worst of all of us?  Not because we're necessarily bad people, but chances are if you are interacting with any of our frontline people, you are not in the ideal situation of life at that moment.  There's more than likely been a tragedy, a loss or a situation that's presented itself that requires special training to handle.  If you are one of those specially trained, you are going to carry a lot of memories with you for a long time and to try and manage them on your own....it can get dicey.  The day to day can lead to the need for some mental health help, and the cost of the copays...that's where the Help Michigan Heroes fund was born.

Joe and some friends began the non profit to assist those still working in or retired from their specialty of those frontline jobs.  There's a remarkably unique bond between those who work in the field and an understanding about people and life that not many get to embrace.  There's a lot of call to be stoic in situations that make anyone else crumble.  Accidents, violence and illness and death are daily occurrences for those of us who serve in this way, and to help those who need it, it's the least we can all do.

The Help Michigan Heroes fund invites you to a wonderful kick off to a Saturday at the Muskegon Central Fire Station on Terrace Street September 20th starting at 8am.  The Muskegon Host Lions will have the griddles fired up and ready to go with the pancakes and sausages for only $5 bucks!  Kids under 8 are eating free thank you very much, and please...feel free to donate a little something in return.  You'll get to learn more about how the organization works and helps.  Your kids will get to be up close and personal with the big trucks and fire equipment and of those who work in the field of police, fire and rescue...what a gift to be able to interact with the public in a way that's anything but what they usually endure.  For all of us...what a way to say thank you in a deeply personal and meaningful way both with a handshake or a hug and some funding to help the long term of it all. 

Don't miss the event on September 20th. 

Let's Catch Up With Nathan Grenell - SDS Doesn't Stop This Flower Shop Owner

 

It was 2018 when we first met Nathan Grenell.  Nathan has SDS which is the acronym for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome.  SDS is a rare congenital disorder characterized by exocrine pancreatic deficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, skeletal abnormalities and short stature. When we fist met, Nathan was just 5 and dealing with an awful lot for a little shaver, and his parents were busy too working with Nathan and advocating for others with rare diseases.  Nathan is 11 now, and he's in the business of selling flowers.  We caught up recently. 

While there still is no cure for SDS there's an amazing amount of progress happening on the front of all kinds of once though incurable diseases.  We see and hear daily about the drive to end one form of human disease or another on the news and it's with utter amazement that we hear it.  However, to a family with that rare disease, it's never fast enough.  How can it be?  In a world where we are all living by instant gratification, fixing things "right now" is what we are accustomed to and if it's our child, grandchild or someone close to the family....you can see how that desire is amplified immensely.  Mom and dad Michelle and Justin continue to work on the advocacy and education stuff.  If you'd like to learn more CLICK HERE.  

Nathan on the other hand.  He's busy being 11.  It's about RC cars, school, scraped knees his small home farm with some chickens out back and his siblings.  He's got the right mindset started though.  Some of his proceeds he hopes to get himself a new RC car with, and he does hope to provide some help at a local food bank with what else he sells.  He's been helping at a food bank some and he's been exposed to the idea of making sure that no matter the circumstances faced, it's really important to do something for others.  Nathan was one of the honorees of the annual Guns and Hoses hockey game here in town and there's a very, VERY special bond among the police, fire and families who participate in that.  In fact, in all of the years I have been a part of the game, the return rate of the families who have been part of the benefit to help others has been stronger than I have seen elsewhere.  

His flowers are all grown around the house.  Vases?  Didn't ask, but they are generally found fairly easily.  Arranged wonderfully and priced at a level anyone can afford, $5-$7 bucks, they are a sure way to make hearts go pitter pat for anyone who is lucky enough to receive bouquet.  Nathan is open from "3-8 or 9 or so" on Russel Road.  You can see when he's open on his FACEBOOK PAGE.  You'll be greeted with a smile.  You'll find a fantastic family and Nathan will prove to you that the future ain't all lost.  There are great kids coming up down the road behind us.  Let's help them all succeed.  

Muskegon Rotary Helps Mission for Area People's Youth Teams Program

 

Mission for Area People is one of our favorite area non profit organizations.  Located in the basement and extra rooms of an old church, MAP offers support to our area with a great clothing pantry, food for those who are experiencing a food crisis.  They help too with utility bills, transportation assistance, medical and dental care and there's even a free medical clinic.  It's everything I was taught a charity should be growing up, as the school I went to, all of it took place in the basement of the church across the driveway. 

While it's true, the look of Mission for Area People is humble, inside it's a team of driven innovators striving to find ways to help improves the lives of the people they serve on a regular basis and the growing needs of the surrounding community.  One of the ways is networking through the county and another is making sure people know what's going on with the organization.  Kristen Turgeon is the Executive Director of Mission For Area People and when she reached out to us saying that we could hit both with one meet up, we came running with the camera.  We also just happened to find a couple of critters at Reeths-Puffer Elementary who know a thing or two about sports, although, not so much about where the equipment comes from just yet. 

One of the best networking spots in Muskegon is our Rotary Club.  Their group is tight, on point and very active in making things in Muskegon better.  From parks and festivals to helping fund projects like we're here to share today, making our community closer and with a better quality of life is what they are all about and the idea of helping get kids on teams, when pitched.....it was a winning idea.

There's a cost to being on a team now.  Sports, STEM, maybe a club like Boys or Girl Scouts....there might be an entry fee.  There might be a cost for some equipment to get going.  There might be a few barriers to some kids being able to be in an among their friends and the activities that make childhood so memorable.  MAP asked Muskegon Rotary about maybe starting a grant program that could help offset the cost of participation to the kids, and it was accepted.  Families can apply to MAP through their website to get a hand if they need it to pay the entry fee.  Maybe it's the cost of a uniform or whatever.  The grant is there and applying is as simple as VISITING MISSION FOR AREA PEOPLE ONLINE.  While we have your attention too, MAP has their annual golf outing coming up.  CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FOURSOME IN AT STONEGATE JUNE 13TH.

We have a theme going this year across our platforms.  Taking Care of our Own.  Seeing how Rotary heard the call and answered to help Mission for Area People help our next generation out with what they need to be a part of the game.....there's no better example.  

Food for Life - Evangelist Tracy Dillon Discusses Sunday Dinner at Kingdom Embassy Covenant Church

 

Meet Tracy Dillon.  Tracy reached out to us to tell us about her work in helping those in need in and around Muskegon when it comes to food insecurity.  We are an amazing community who knows the value of what it means to "circle the wagons" and take care of one another.  We're so good at it in fact, it's the reason we launched all that we do with this site, and all of the people who believe they are called to do more.  People who are not looking for a lot of credit, just a way that they can know that they are giving back to their fellow man with the best they have.

Food 4 Life came about when Tracy noticed that our abundance of relief organizations were not regularly serving on a Sunday and that with the food drives we have around town, there may be a gap in what people can do with the food they are given if it's raw.  This is starting to dip down in to the idea that the homeless issue here is growing and while it might seem that needs are being met, it's pretty difficult to cook if you are living in a tent in the woods somewhere with a family.  Food 4 Life is designed to not only fill the gap on Sunday, but bring people into a little deeper understanding of what's "out there" and how they can best utilize it. 

"My Grandma used to say".....there really can't be 5 more words of wisdom that come from anyone.  In the case of Tracy, her grandma used to say "give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day, teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime."  With the meal that comes at Kingdom Embassy Church in Roosevelt Park, comes a supply of personal hygiene items, a Bible to help them understand the giving beyond the food and supplies and the examples set forth within.  They offer pick up service at both the men's and women's shelters on Peck and Laketon Streets at 1p on Sunday and the service and meal begin at 1:30.  3p things are wrapped up, no one is hungry, no one feels alone and we've found yet another way to protect our most vulnerable in our community while they are in a time of need. 

Tracy works over night.  Tracy also stayed up until we could meet up at the Hackley Library to film.  Tracy isn't a superhuman, multi-millionaire or philanthropic giant.  She's out to do as it was taught.  "Love one another as I have loved you."  She's putting her faith into practice and turning love into action.  This is a miracle happening right here.  This is how simple it is to make life a little easier for someone, once a day.  I love finding stories like this as really, that was all I ever set out to do when I decided that I was going to have a career in broadcasting.  To remember that somebody out there, somewhere, needed that moment of respite.  I was given the opportunity to do what I wanted to do for work instead of what I HAD to do for work.  Tracy, takes it one step further.  Let's all try to be a little more like Tracy.  

You can find Food 4 Life happening at Kingdom Embassy Covenant Church in Roosevelt Park  located at 3025 Glenside Blvd.  If you need transportation, call 231-220-7797.  If you would like to contact the church itself and see if you can be of assistance, I am sure they would love to hear from you.  231-747-6862

Your A- TENT- Shun Please - Lisa Keck Kujawa is Attempting Another World Record! Help if You Can November 2nd at the MKG Farmers Market

 

It was a couple of years ago that Lisa Kujawa brought her mission back to Muskegon to see about helping set a world record for collection canned goods and how far they could make a contiguous line of them.  Those who are "townies" may remember Lisa as a member of the Keck family.  Lisa now lives and works on the east side, but she's also continuing to push for attention and reach all across the state for help with her calling, Golden Key Camp.  Located in Gladwin, Golden Key Camp is a respite for kids with cancer and their families. To have someone from Muskegon making the push, we all know success is on the way.  

While the non perishable food item drive didn't quite work out as hoped, this time, the drive is for tents and the number isn't quite as high.  Lisa is reaching out to different communities across the state including her hometown right here in Muskegon to make the goal of 800 tents.  800 tents collected and set up together at Camp Golden Key will not only get them the world record, it will be a HUGE amount of publicity and attention for this camp, and in turn the idea will grow as will awareness.  Then kids with cancer will have a spot to call their own. 

From the Camp Golden Key Website - "What we do is gift the saddest and most difficult gifts ever, precious time together, but that is also the greatest gift. Will you please help by being a TEAM sponsor, we have made it easy to help, just seek people or businesses each willing to pledge toward your goal of $250 or a tent or maybe you decide to donate a few tents. Ask friends and family customers coworkers clients etc. to come together for YOUR team to make a gift so special its doesn't seem impossible in fact with you and yours impossible REALLY SENDS THE MESSAGE OF, I'M POSSIBLE!  Thank you so much for making the world a better place for these special children who have had their childhood stolen from them, your kindness will gift these families some childhood memories they wouldn't have gotten without you.

November 2nd is the day that Muskegon is being called to action.  The Muskegon Farmers Market is where the tents will be collected.  New, gently used or a cash donation toward one is fine.  Please, however, don't bring in broken or ripped tents.  Asking a non profit to sort out your broken stuff is really in poor form.  The best way to keep up with Lisa and Camp Golden Key is by FOLLOWING THEM ON FACEBOOK.  They also have a website that you can visit to learn more.  CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CAMP GOLDEN KEY WEBSITE. 

Lucy Plont - Family Rallies Around Little Girl With Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - June 1st Motorcycle Run Planned

 

The title of the article alone should tell you that it's a pretty rare condition that Lucy Plont is facing.  To know that she's missed too much of kindergarten because of this affliction too, well that tells you that there's a need to be met and when that happens, Muskegon goes to work.  In this case, the work extends over into Sparta too where Lucy's grandparents live and between the two places, there's a lot of great space for motorcycles.....so, let's ride!

From KidsHealth.org - "Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JIA is a group of disorders that causes arthritis (stiff, swollen, painful joints) in children.  Children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (systemic JIA) have periods of arthritis along with a fever and rash. They also may have swollen glands and problems with the heart, lungs, and blood.  Treatments can help with symptoms, so children can live a full and active life. The symptoms can go away for a time (called remission). In some kids, the condition goes away permanently.  All types of JIA happen when the immune system, which normally attacks germs, mistakenly attacks the joints. This causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) in the joints and other problems. Systemic JIA can start anytime in kids 1 to 16 years old. Most cases start when a child is around 2 years old. The condition affects boys and girls equally.  Doctors don’t know exactly why kids and teens get JIA. “Idiopathic” means “from an unknown cause.” It can run in families but often does not. It’s likely due to a combination of: genetic (inherited) causes the way the immune system responds to infection and illness a trigger, such as an infection."

As any parents would understand, the onset caught Jodi and Miles Plont completely off guard.  How to handle a problem of such epic proportion and cost in finding out initially what the problem is and then how to treat it.  A grueling task and an immense weight to bare.  While they struggled to find an answer, the staff at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital became very familiar with the Plont family and treatments continue for Lucy to this day.  Lucy will have to give kindergarten another go next year, and that's ok, but the problem will persist for a while and that's where the community will come together to help.

June 1st there's a charity biker benefit which kicks off at 7 Mile Inn on S. Warner in Fremont.  It will be a picturesque ride to Jimmy's Roadhouse, Old Iron Bar and Grill, Kent City Lounge and then back to 7 Mile with cool events along the way.  Registration is at 9a and the bikes roll at 10:45.  When everyone is back at 7 Mile, food, raffles, silent auction, 50/50, gift baskets and more.  It's just the kind of benefit we can all pitch in on in some way shape or form and if you'd like more info on it, you'll find numbers in the photo below. 

Our kids, they are the most important part of all of our future.  Lucy is a tough, spunky little customer according to all accounts, but to see any child facing this kind of struggle, it's too much for anyone to be able to process.  It's a lifelong journey for Lucy and to show her early on that she's from a community that truly cares....it's what we can do.  

You can follow Lucy's journey on Facebook.  CLICK HERE TO VISIT HER PAGE. 

Benefit for Brett Belmarez June 29th at the Fruitport Eagles

 

The most essential part of any line of work is remembering the root system.  In 2015, all that we publish began with a video camera the size of a box of tacks and an idea.  How could we not only help make things in Muskegon a little better, but how could we utilize skills and ability to help anyone's cause get a little notice?  Through that, the idea would be to show the drive of a community.  Show those who take action that there's nothing they can't accomplish and that they deserve that moment in the "spotlight" for their efforts. 

We stand by that today, and it's not always the easiest.  Case in point, our story today.  Brett Belmarez isn't quite 40 yet and has been stricken with cancer.  A young husband and father, Brett is like so many of us here in Muskegon that would give the shirt off his back for someone else, and has more than once but now finds himself in need of the community to gather around him and help.  We found an entry from the Muskegon Pub Pedal site which is helping out too, that explains the situation best.

"Brett Belmarez was born and raised in Muskegon. He has been married to the love of his life, Desiree for 10 1/2 years. They have a 6 year old son named Roman. In the middle of December, 2023, Brett started experiencing flu-like symptoms.  Near the end of December, in addition to the flu-like symptoms, he began experiencing shortness of breath and lung pain. After having his blood work checked and a ct scan, they discovered a mass (6.1cm) on his right lower lung and some enlarged lymph nodes. After a biopsy, it was determined to be lymphoma. It is still early, so they do not have results on what stage or what specific type of lymphoma it is. A meeting is scheduled with the cancer center to begin working towards a treatment plan and obtaining a 2nd opinion with more information from U of M. They are not sure what the future holds, but they are remaining positive and keeping their faith in God."  We've got the pub peddlers in, that's great news. 

Brett also has his family in overdrive working to plan and pull off a benefit at the Fruitport Eagles on June 29th from 2p-8p.  If you've ever been to a benefit at the Fruitport Eagles, you know it's a day filled with family, community and love.  I have been to one or two there and seen the unimaginable happen by witnessing the generosity of friends family and strangers overflow and make a world of difference.  Brett's aunts, Sharon Shanafelt and Victoria Belmarez Brezina joined me to talk about the event.  Take a listen. 

Want to help? We all do, in some way or another.  It's a massive undertaking in a time of immense stress and emotional turmoil for anyone to put on an event like this.  To see it unfolding for Brett speaks volumes of what he must have paid forward already because the ground is rumbling loud for this event and there will be an incredible outpouring come the end of June.  It will be another day when collectively as a community we show the rest of the world that nowhere else can anyone circle the wagons and take care of our own like Muskegon.  

If you'd like to help you can reach out to Victoria at 231-740-1021 or Sharon at 231-769-9799