Golf outing helps children in Kenya Charity provides food, drills wells for clean water

By Jo Mathis Legal News Paralegal Michelle Kreger and her husband, Gary, believe in the work of Living Water Mission in Tecumseh, which feeds 50 children daily in Kilimani, Kenya. So when they were asked to sponsor a fundraising golf outing, they agreed. "When we have the ability to help others in need, we should," said Kreger, who works at Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC in Ann Arbor. "The families of Kilimani have been devastated by disease and poverty, and in some cases, have died leaving orphans behind. Living Water Mission is doing a good work there." When Kreger's bosses, Steve Goethel and Chad Engelhardt learned about the golf event, they agreed to sponsor it, along with Southfield attorney David E. Christensen. Engelhardt said he's amazed how a small donation can make a huge impact on an entire community so many miles away. "Clean, safe water is a basic necessity we all take for granted," he said. "By helping to provide wells, irrigation and livestock husbandry, hundreds of people will have both hope and a future. Clean water for drinking, bathing and producing food means that these children cannot just survive today, but truly thrive and prosper tomorrow. As lawyers, we are blessed to have the ability to help and I am proud of our community for stepping forward to do so." Christensen said he has been to Kenya and seen the miraculous changes that simple wells can bring to the small villages there. "Wells are inexpensive and dramatically improve the health of hundreds of villagers and allow the children to expect far better health over their lives," he said. Since its inception in 2009, LWM has drilled several wells, supported a local health clinic, and has fed more than 50 orphans daily in Kilimani, Kenya. Living Water Mission operates solely on donations from individuals and organizations that believe in LWM's mission to provide clean, safe, affordable drinking water and assist those in need. Kreger said volunteers are helping the Kilimani community set up a feeding program; have built a community kitchen; bought dairy cows; and purchased land for the cows to graze and raise crops. "They are assisting the residents of Kilimani become self-sufficient," she said. "What an awesome way to serve others!" The Hands & Feet for Kenya Golf Classic will be Aug. 23 at Tecumseh's Hantz Golf Club. The outing will be a four-man scramble and includes lunch, dinner and prizes. The cost is $75 per person or $280 for a team of four. To register, or for more information on this golf outing, contact Gary Kreger at 734-368-8757, or email at sidney-patrick@msn.com. The deadline to register is Aug. 15. For more information on what has been accomplished and other ways to become involved in this work, go to www.living-water-mission.org. Published: Mon, Aug 04, 2014