Page 9 - 2021 Spring Summer Our Hands

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

TOWN HALL: LEAVING A LASTING IMPACT – A DISCUSSION ON PLANNED GIVING
Thrivent and Samaritas teamed up with panel experts DeAnte Thompkins from Thrivent, DeeDee
McVety from Samaritas, Rob MacGregor from Wayne State University Law School, Ellen Batkie
shared a personal story of her gift to Samaritas and moderated by Joe Impellizzeri from Planned
Giving Roundtable in Southeast MI to provide our community expert information on planned
giving and how your gift can leave a lasting impact. Contact Lauren Brosch at
Lauren.Brosch@samaritas.org to watch the recording at no cost and get a schedule of upcoming
Town Halls we'll be hosting!

WELCOMING FAMILY BACK!
In early April, a full year after
being separated from their
loved ones by COVID-19 and
Michigan's stay-at-home
orders, Samaritas was thrilled
that our senior residents could
see friends & family in-person
once again!
ELOISE HAUNTED TOURS
Thank you Eloise Haunted Tours
for bringing the Easter bunny to our
Samaritas Family Center!! Such a special
gift for our families YOU ROCK!!

HHS APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE SENATE
Our very own Rachel Sykes, Executive Director of Adoption Services was invited to testify at
the HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Senate, representing the Michigan Federation for
Children and Families on behalf of Lutheran Adoption Service and Samaritas, highlighting
the issues private agencies are experiencing when serving the children and families in
Michigan’s child welfare system.

Corporate Spotlight: DELTA DENTAL

As a non-profit organization we lean on our corporate partners not only for financial support but for meaningful collaboration that brings health, hope
and wholeness the most vulnerable in our community. Our corporate partner, Delta Dental, continues to display commitment and dedication through
meaningful engagement with our mission, services and values. Check out all the amazing collaboration happening with Delta Dental this year!
Podcast Grit: Stories of greatness from the streets to the suites. This monthly podcast hosted by Margaret Trimer, VP of Strategic Partnerships for
Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana shares stories of greatness about people who have exceptional drive and passion. In alignment with Refugee
Awareness month this June, Samaritas’ own Vesna and Edin Cizmic will be celebrated and featured on Grit where they will courageously share their personal
life’s journey from fleeing the devastation of war in their home country to resettling here in America and becoming thriving citizens. We are proud of our
ROCKstars!! This episode will air in June, 2021 on Apple Podcasts and you can listen to full episodes and subscribe to the Grit podcast on iTunes and Spotify
2021 Sponsorship: Delta is providing $40,000 in support that will be recognized at our signature events, Be The Rock Under the Stars in Grand Rapids and
Fielding Hope Southeast Michigan. These dollars will provide health and wholeness to the vulnerable children and families we serve!

Billboard: Delta Dental highlighted our partnership in BIG way – they put it on a billboard!! Throughout the month of April commuters in Grand Rapids
couldn’t miss this sign shouting out the positive change we can make in the world together.
Social Media Challenge: During the months of June and July, Delta is taking to social media and challenging YOU! For every “LIKE” on Delta Dental’s
Facebook post, they will provide 1 toothbrush for a refugee child and a woman in our Samaritas House Heartline program.

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