light for hope Eleanor m. Josaitis
Community Service Tribute
With the support of dozens of volunteers and 35 businesses and organizations, the Eleanor Josaitis Community Service Tribute collected hundreds of books, art supplies and cans of food.
The Tribute was part of a two-pronged effort to honor the memory of Focus: HOPE's co-founder who passed away in August. The Light for HOPE Tribute occurred on March 10, 2012 at a dinner which raised $2.5 million for the Eleanor M. Josaitis Fund for Focus: HOPE.
The Community Service Tribute saw individuals, churches, businesses and others collecting items that will be distributed to local school children, families and senior citizens. Collection bins were placed in 17 Art Van Furniture stores -- and the resulting donations were delivered to Focus: HOPE in a semi-truck. Erika Patterson signed up six businesses to collect items, then delivered the items herself to Focus: HOPE. The Skillman Foundation underwrote the Community Service Tribute.
Children who attended the March 3, 2012 drop-off day were able to select from a wide range of books and art supplies. Diane Crawford, a Focus: HOPE student, brought her children Saniya Crawford, 7, and Zariya Webb, 5, to get books. Crawford has taken financial literacy classes and is a member of the Job Club which assists her as she searches for work. "Focus: HOPE has done so much for me," she said. "When I found out my children could get some books, I was so happy to bring them here today."
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Spoonful
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Treasure Trove
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Boston/Edison
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Kramers Bed and Bath
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Beaumont Health System, Human Resources
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Michigan Association of Calligraphers
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Minacs
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Weight Waters
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Girl Scout Troup 4075
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Holy Family Church
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JAE Electronics, Inc.
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Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
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Blessed Sacrament Cathedral-Church of the Madonna-St. Gregory the Great-St. Benedict
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Goodwill Industries
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Detroit Economic Club
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AAM
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Plume
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Art Van Furniture
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Beaumont Hospital
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General Motors Foundation
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Butzel Long
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Clarkston Paper
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ASB
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Arts & Scraps
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Detroit Country Day School
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JP Morgan Chase
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Positive Images
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Rainy Day Art supply
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Compuware Corporation
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Grosse Pointe Art Association
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Muellers Market
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Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley, who is one of the dynamic women planning this tribute as well as a Tribute Dinner on March 10, recently wrote about the community service project.