Benefit Party

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Marie LaFreniere
Posts: 1160
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:15 pm
Location: Beaver Island

Benefit Party

Post by Marie LaFreniere »

As many of you may or may not know, Johnny Paul Kenwabikiseâ??s daughter, Wendy has brain cancer.

Johnny will be traveling back and forth to visit Wendy and it was suggested that the Island hold a Fundraiser to help Johnny defray his travel expenses and to help out Wendy and her family at this time. Wendy is only 36 and has 5 children.

Johnny has had so much tragedy in his life with the untimely deaths of his four sons and now in addition to all of this, his son Simon may be shipped out to Iraq in a few weeks.

There will be a Benefit Party at :
Jerry LaFreniereâ??s Garage
Saturday, November 18
7:00 p.m. - ??

Free Will Donation
Live Music
Food
Raffles
Auctions

We would like everyone to attend but if you are unable to, a fund has been set up at Charlevoix State Bank; your check should be made out to the Kenwabikise Benefit Fund and can be dropped off at the bank here on the island or mail to:
Charlevoix State Bank
111 State Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720
or
Debbie Robert
P.O. Box 78
Beaver Island, MI 49782

Watch this site for updates on the raffles and auctions. Weâ??re working on getting together some very nice items and prizes.
Marie LaFreniere
Posts: 1160
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:15 pm
Location: Beaver Island

update

Post by Marie LaFreniere »

To date we have the following for Auction:

Two Night Stay at Grand Traverse Resort/Casino
One Nght Stay at AmericInn in Charlevoix
Round Trip Plane Tickets (Beaver Island/Charlevoix)
Skip Duhamel's Jewelry

There will also be a 50/50 Raffle and other prizes!

Jerry says "Don't forget to bring your checkbooks on the 18th!"

Many thanks to those who have already sent a donation and for the generosity of you who have donated for the auction/raffles.
Marie LaFreniere
Posts: 1160
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:15 pm
Location: Beaver Island

update

Post by Marie LaFreniere »

A very BIG thank you from the Benefit Committee to all who attended Saturdayâ??s Benefit Party and generously donated to the fund for Wendy and her family. At the party alone we took in almost $5,000!! Not bad for a little Island in the middle of nowhere. In addition to what was collected on Saturday night, checks have been coming in to the Bank and Debbie Robert. As of today almost $6,400 has been donated!

Weâ??d also like to thank Kitty McNamara for her auctioneering skills. This was her 1st time and she did an outstanding job.

There were so many auctions and prizes that I can't list them all, but the highest priced auction for 2 Nights at the Grand Traverse Resort and Round Trip Airfare for 2 on Fresh Air was won by Larry and Mary Rose Birch for $275. And Pat Anderson of Beaver Island Marine was the top bidder at $250 on a Brian Cole photograh of the Beaver Islander in black and white.

And a very special thanks to Joan LaFreniere who won $470.00 in the 50/50 Raffle and generously donated it back.

Also, thanks to everyone who brought food. And to the musicians; Ed Palmer, Cindy Gillespie Cushman, John McCafferty, Shaker Heights, Brandon Maudrie, Cory Palmer and Keith Szczepanski who all donated their time and talent.

Wendy and her family still have a long road ahead of them. Letâ??s keep them in our thoughts and prayers especially during the upcoming holidays. Donations can still be sent to:

Kenwabikise Benefit Fund
Charlevoix State Bank
111 State Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720

Or

Debbie Robert
P.O. Box 78
Beaver Island, MI 49782

And if you left coolers, plates, bowls, etc., they can be picked up at our garage.

And last but not least a very special thank you to the person who kept Jerry and I up til 4:00 a.m. (You know who you are! )

Marie
Cara Lieurance
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2006 4:55 pm
Location: Kalamazoo
Contact:

Post by Cara Lieurance »

Hi folks,

I'm so happy to hear the benefit was such a success. Andy Robins and his daughter Jamie, my boyfriend Dan Keto and I had a wonderful time visiting the island again and making new and stronger connections with many of you. The Kenwabikisie Benefit was a great event and we felt privileged to be there. We salute the warm-hearted Beaver Islanders and will keep in touch about our radio documentary. If anyone wants to reach me in Kalamazoo, here's my contact info:

Cara Lieurance
WMUK-FM
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
269-387-3167

lieurance@wmich.edu



All the best,

Cara
Kim Connaghan
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:52 pm

Post by Kim Connaghan »

"And last but not least a very special thank you to the person who kept Jerry and I up til 4:00 am.(You know who you are!)

Mary Palmer was it you? [-X
Sam Hanks
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:45 am

Post by Sam Hanks »

Isn't it interesting that Kim is almost 400 miles away and out of all the people on Beaver Island she guessed it was Mary Palmer! =D>
woodchopper57
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2003 9:26 pm
Location: Beaver Island

Keeping Sam Hanks up all night

Post by woodchopper57 »

Only wish I had been there, it would have been me and Mary Palmer, what would a party at your garage be without the Gillespie girls keeping you awake all night. :lol:
Julie Gillespie
Sam Hanks
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:45 am

Post by Sam Hanks »

Julie,

Funny you should mention that.

When we were planning the party, Gerald said he would stay until the last Gillespie left. So he kept his word and stayed til 1:30 when Mary was headed to the Beachcomber. Unbeknownst to him, she returned!! :roll:
Marie LaFreniere
Posts: 1160
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:15 pm
Location: Beaver Island

Post by Marie LaFreniere »

Yesterday I neglected to thank Island Airways for their very generous donation of 3 round trip tickets to be auctioned/raffled at the Benefit Party and also for their help to Johnny for his trips to the mainland to see Wendy.

Also, to Fr. Pat/Holy Cross Church for the donation that was given directly to Wendy during a visit from Fr. Pat and for the assistance in getting Wendy and her husband to the island for the Benefit Party.
Steve Severance
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: Florida, for now...

Are donations still required?

Post by Steve Severance »

I found out about the terrible loss of Johnny Paul junior and his brothers during my stay on the island this past summer. Johnny and I were always good friends back in the 70's during my annual summer stay. I was truly saddened to hear of the tragic events surrounding his loss. Johnny Paul senior and my father were friends as well, and as a result I was going to see him this summer but my stay coincided with the Kenwabikise family reunion and I did not wish to intrude. As I read the news of Wendy's illness and the burden placed on the family I felt compelled to help. If someone can direct me to the correct individual, I would like to donate.

Thank you and God bless,
Steve
Marie LaFreniere
Posts: 1160
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2005 1:15 pm
Location: Beaver Island

Post by Marie LaFreniere »

Steve,

You can mail a check directly to the bank:

Charlevoix State Bank
111 State Street
Charlevoix, MI 49720

Or you can send the check to:

Debbie Robert
P.O. Box 78
Beaver Island, MI 49782

Either way, the check should be made out to the Kenwabikise Benefit Fund.

Thanks,
Marie
Steve Severance
Posts: 7
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2006 3:16 pm
Location: Florida, for now...

Post by Steve Severance »

Marie,
Thanks for the reply. We just got it in the mail, and I pray it helps.

God bless,
Steve and Ivetta Severance
debrob2
Posts: 316
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:25 pm

Benefit Party

Post by debrob2 »

Did anyone else take pictures at the party? I have some, but would like more for a project that I am working on... If you did, and would be willing to share them, please email me at: debrob2@gtlakes.com

Thanks,
Debbie Robert
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