Among those who assisted in fund-raising efforts at the outing were (l-r) Maria Cranmer, Sandy Bower, Carrie Heichel, and Mike Schloff.
Annual outing raises a record amount for Vets Returning Home organization
By Tom Kirvan
Legal NewsIn golf terms, it can be called a booster shot – in the form of a much-needed $32,000 contribution to the Vets Returning Home program that provides aid and shelter to homeless veterans in the community.
The funds were the byproduct of the 9th Annual OCBA Veterans Committee Golf Outing that took place September 9 at the Links at Crystal Lake Golf Course in Pontiac, according to attorney Mike Schloff, who chaired the 2024 version of the fund-raising event.
“We raised more than $7,000 in funds over last year’s $25,000 total, which was nearly a 30 percent increase,” said Schloff, a past president of the Oakland County Bar Association who served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. “It was very gratifying to see the show of support from our growing list of sponsors and from all those who played in the outing. All of us on the Veterans Committee are deeply indebted to our supporters.”
Program founder Sandy Bower echoed Schloff’s comments, noting that funds from the outing “go a long way” in helping provide services to scores of homeless vets each year.
“We provide a stable and sober living environment to veterans in crisis,” said Bower, who launched the program in 2013 when she purchased an 11,000-square-foot facility in Roseville that formerly housed a chapter of the American Red Cross. “We do all that we do without government funding, as we rely on the generosity of businesses and individuals who want to help vets in need.
“Community support has been vital to our ability to continue our mission,” she added. “We have successfully transitioned on average 250 veterans a year back into society as a fully functioning community member.”
The Vets Returning Home facility, located on East 11 Mile Road in Roseville, houses more than 40 male and female members, according to Bower, who lived a homeless life as a teen mother before starting a successful credit card processing company. Onsite services include employment readiness training, aid with job placement, disability benefit connections, legal support, and life skills training.
“The goal of Vets Returning Home is simple: to end chronic homelessness among veterans in our communities,” declared Bower.
To that end, the program is in a year-round fund-raising mode, and welcomes donations through its Vets Returning Home website at Vetsreturninghome.org or by calling (586) 285-5606.
This Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m., Vets Returning Home will hold a drawing for a sporty 2011 Maserati GranTurismo. The car, according to Bower, is in mint condition and has approximately 30,000 miles. Tickets for the drawing cost $50 and can be purchased through the VRH website.
As for the winners at the September 9 golf outing, the foursome of Bob Lindeman, Ken Lindeman, Mike Borkowski, and Kurt Holder from Kustom Truck & Trailer posted a first-place score of 54, a scorching 16-under tally that edged the runner-up team of Mark Werder, Alan Gershel, Jim Ellis, and Paul Andoni, which carded a 14-under score of 56.
The men’s longest drive contest was won by Paul Andoni, the owner of Shield’s Restaurant. Attorney Kari Melkonian of Collins Einhorn was the winner of the women’s longest drive contest.
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