December 14, 2023 Meeting
Winning Charity: The Hicks Family
Presenting member: Nicole Kusky
Emilia Hicks has two beautiful children, Jackie James (age 8) and Loretta (age 6), who she calls her rays of sunshine. Both Jackie and Loretta were born with incurable rare genetic diseases that have them confined to a wheelchair. Mitochondrial Disease is the depletion of the mitochondria that supplies the energy to cells in the body to function properly and Leigh’s Disease is a neurometabolic disorder that affects the central nervous system.
Recently the family was in a car accident that totaled their wheelchair accessible van, which they desperately need for the safe transportation to doctor appointments, physical therapy, hospitals, and other important outings.
Our donation, along with the insurance payout of $7,000, and other collected donations from family and friends, will go to buy another used wheelchair accessible van for the Hicks Family.
Checks should be made payable to: Emilia Hicks.
Donations to the Hicks Family are not tax deductible.
Estimate amount to be donated: $9,350
Also presented: We encourage members to pray for and support all of the wonderful charities introduced at our meetings.
Catholic Community Response Team (CCRT)
Presenting member: Steve Kobylczyk
CC Response Team
Catholic Community Response Team (CCRT) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity based out of Pontiac and has served the immediate needs of Oakland County residents since 2004. This year alone CCRT has given a hand up to over 830 families. Services provided include: food, clothing, help with identification documentation, eviction prevention, utility bill payment, furniture, bikes, and other immediate necessities. CCRT is a grassroots organization that relies on grants and donations to serve those in need…it is about living out the Gospel values of faith, friendship and service.
Gifts For All God’s Children
Presenting member: Patti Jacques
giftsforallgodschildren.org
In 1987, our member, Patti Jacques founded Gifts For All God’s Children, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, out of Faith Lutheran Church. The mission of Gifts For All God’s Children is to be a conduit of God’s generous love by providing resources focusing on the needs of underserved children while connecting them to Jesus. This is accomplished by encouraging churches and organizations to work together to support spiritual, academic, and social growth in these children. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, Gift For All God’s Children serves over 2600 kids annually in the Detroit, Pontiac, Flint, and Lansing communities. A dream with additional funding is to expand scholarships to attend summer STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) programs and field trips. The Vision of Gifts For All God’s Children is a world where all children are thriving and connecting to Christ.
“Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name welcomes me…” —Mark 9:37
100 Faithful Friends Donations
| Meeting | Meeting Date | Winning Charity/Worthy Cause | Donation Total |
| 1 | Sep-15 | Dutton Farm | $ 4,100.00 |
| 2 | Dec-15 | LifeBUILDERS Detroit | $ 10,000.00 |
| 3 | Mar-16 | Pontiac Dream Center | $ 7,800.00 |
| 4 | Jun-16 | Faith Works | $ 8,000.00 |
| 5 | Sep-16 | St. Clair Butterfly Foundation | $ 8,900.00 |
| 6 | Dec-16 | Amiee O’Neill & family | $ 10,200.00 |
| 7 | Mar-17 | Manna Community Meals | $ 10,600.00 |
| 8 | Jun-17 | Audra Katchorek & family | $ 10,900.00 |
| 9 | Sep-17 | New Day Foundation | $ 10,300.00 |
| 10 | Dec-17 | Bryant Paul Miller & family | $ 10,000.00 |
| 11 | Mar-18 | Great Lakes Burn Camp | $ 10,000.00 |
| 12 | Jun-18 | Helping Hands Gifts | $ 10,000.00 |
| 13 | Sep-18 | Faith Works | $ 10,400.00 |
| 14 | Dec-18 | Six Feet Over | $ 10,400.00 |
| 15 | Mar-19 | Love For A Child | $ 10,000.00 |
| 16 | Jun-19 | YWAM Metro Detroit | $ 10,000.00 |
| 17 | Sep-19 | Hope Center | $ 9,400.00 |
| 18 | Dec-19 | Purposeful Youth Detroit | $ 9,000.00 |
| 19 | Mar-20 | Blessings in a Backpack | $ 9,750.00 |
| 20 | Jun-20 | Meals on Wheels | $ 9,600.00 |
| 21 | Sep-20 | St. Patrick Senior Center | $ 9,300.00 |
| 22 | Dec-20 | Patron/Abide Ministries | $ 10,300.00 |
| 23 | Mar-21 | The Links, Inc. – Oakland County | $ 9,000.00 |
| 24 | Jun-21 | Know Resolve | $ 9,250.00 |
| 25 | Sep-21 | Gifts For All God’s Children | $ 9,250.00 |
| 26 | Dec-21 | Thaar Care Foundation | $ 9,750.00 |
| 27 | Mar-22 | Hope Against Trafficking | $ 8,800.00 |
| 28 | Jun-22 | UCARE, Inc. | $ 8,750.00 |
| 29 | Sep-22 | Matthew Mitchey & Family | $ 10,500.00 |
| 30 | Dec-22 | The Power Company Kids Club | $ 9,850.00 |
| 31 | Mar-23 | Incarcerated Youth Ministries | $ 9,650.00 |
| 32 | Jun-23 | Grace Filled Giving/Abide Ministries | $ 9,650.00 |
| 33 | Sep-23 | Lord of Lords Church | $ 9,300.00 |
| 34 | Dec-23 | The Hicks Family | $ 9,350.00 |
| CURRENT TOTAL | $ 322,050.00 | ||