It’s the middle of August and as summer draws to a close, maybe you’re reflecting on a great vacation or maybe you’re lamenting the one you didn’t take or drooling over someone else’s photos of an exotic destination.
A few weeks ago, I shared the story of Justin and Sarah Walker, Brandon graduates who live overseas as expatriates and have traveled the world. I envied all their amazing adventures. They have been to places and done things that I only dream about (if you missed it, the ultimate vacation album and links to the 2-part series can be found at The Citizen Newspaper Facebook page).
But even as I was daydreaming and wishing I could try that kind of life on for size, I was writing another story that is also timely as summer ends. This one was about Dereck, a single father trying to make ends meet, and the Ortonville Community Emergency Fund.
Every year, OCEF does a back to school supply drive, seeking the community’s support with donations of notebooks, crayons, paper, pens, etc. It’s expensive to outfit kids with all they need to return to school in the fall, and for some families in the Brandon School District, it is an impossibility without the help of OCEF. Dereck shared details of his life with me, the difficulties he faces raising three children alone without any family support, the pride he takes in paying his bills every month from his salary as a pizzeria manager, the gratitude he feels for OCEF and the community.
A few days after the story ran, a woman came into our office. She and her father were touched by Dereck’s story and wanted to help.
This past week, Dereck called me.
‘Susan? It’s Dereck. You did a story on me, do you remember??
Of course! You’re very memorable.
‘Well, guess what? This lady came up to the pizzeria and she knew who I was. She wanted to pay to get my children’s clothes out of layaway.?
How nice!
‘And guess what else? They took me and my kids out to dinner at MacPhee’s! I’d never been there before.?
Aren’t the breadsticks the best?
‘Yes, it was great. And then they took us to A&W for root beer floats! They were supposed to be free, but we went at the wrong time. But they paid for them anyway.?
That’s awesome.
‘And you know what else? My daughter is difficult to find clothes for, she’s tall, and they are going to take her clothes shopping!?
Wow! ‘Anyway, I just wanted to tell you and thank you.?
And just like that, as I sat there with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face, I awakened from a dream of world travel and realized some dreams were coming true right in front of me. While it wasn’t my extravagant dream of seeing the Pyramids, or visiting the Sistine Chapel, or going on safari in Africa, it was a family’s dream of having necessities or even just a nice meal at a new restaurant and delicious root beer floats at the local drive-in, a dream turned reality by the kindness and generosity of strangers.
It’s good to remember there are places right here in Ortonville that can be an adventure and people that are an absolute treasure.
I thanked Dereck for sharing his story with me and told him that he had helped OCEF (and me) more than he knew. Karyn Milligan, OCEF food pantry director, said many people have reached out to her, touched by Dereck’s story. Dereck’s family is just one of a few hundred that OCEF helps yearly. There are many more families that each have their own unique stories that remain untold? single mothers working multiple jobs, families devastated by medical crises, and more. If you would like to help these families, there are many ways to do so. Call Karyn at 248-627-3965 (ext. 103) and brighten someone’s life in this little corner of the world.