Michelle Phaup of Independence Township was recently named a top 10 finalist for the ‘Good Neighbor Award? by the National Association of Realtors.
‘It’s a great honor,? she said. ‘I can remember being at past realtor conferences and being in awe of the top 10 people that were selected, so to be a part of that is very touching.?
Phaup was nominated by her friend Amy Serra Albright.
‘Amy told me she was going to nominate me a few months ago, so I gave her the information she needed and didn’t think anything else of it, until I got the call,? she said.
Phaup is being recognized for her non-profit organization Lend a Helping Hand, which focuses on easing the financial burden of families faced with catastrophic illness.
Since 1989, Phaup has sponsored fundraising events that have raised more than $2 million to help individuals pay for uncovered medical expenses.
‘What made me start Lend a Helping Hand to begin with was because we raised $100,000 for someone so they could get a bone marrow transplant and they received a letter from the IRS that 50 percent of it was supposed to go towards taxes, she said. ‘I didn’t realize that could happen. That’s why I wanted Lend a Helping Hand to be a 501c3, so people wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore.?
Recently, she said Lend a Helping Hand has begun new chapters in Traverse City and Jacksonhole, Wyoming, which is helping to do fundraisers and raise money in other areas.
‘We’ve been doing fund raising and helping people financially, now we also have people in this area who have come forward to provide services for people,? Phaup said. ‘For example, if someone has cancer we’ll be able to have people go over and clean their house, help maintain their yard, run errands for them, grocery shop, things like that.?
She also noted she has received a lot more calls from the 52-2 District Court for people who have community service hours to fulfill.
Phaup has been a realtor in the Clarkston area for 22 years, and began Clarkston Realty in 1997.
In November the top five winners for the Good Neighbor Award are announced and awarded $10,000 to their charity. The five Honorable Mentions, will receive $2,500 for their charity.
‘My greatest hope in all of this is that Lend a Helping Hand will get more recognition, be able to help more people and receive more help,? she said. My dream is to make Lend a Helping Hand a nationwide organization.?
Lend a Helping Hand will be holding a benefit on Oct. 3 for Ortonville resident Devin Kalisz, a 28-year-old mother of 10-year-old twins. Kalisz recently had a brain tumor removed and has Chiari Malformation, structural defects in the Cerebellum part of the brain.
The benefit will be held at the Heart Center of Davisburg Road. For more information visit www.lendahelpinghand.org
‘I believe life is about helping other people,? Phaup said.
‘If you have the ability to do it then do it, it makes your life much richer.?