The CCD and Community Outreach
We invite you to participate!
The Community Chorus of Detroit has a renowned tradition of connecting with our community
through service, education, and travel.
In January of this year, the chorus began its sponsorship of a 16-member, three-generation Afghan refugee family here in Detroit. Our choristers, chorus alumni, and friends of the chorus recently worked together to completely furnish the families’ two refurbished houses in Detroit with gently used, donated items for this large family who lost everything in Afghanistan and who were evacuated after the father in the family was seriously injured helping the American military there. More than 75 people participated in all, with gifts of time, household items, money, and hard work. Going forward, we’ll be teaching the family English, assisting them with finding employment, getting drivers’ licenses, and learning about American culture in all ways as they become our newest U.S. citizens. If you would like to make a financial contribution to this effort to assist the family over the coming year with numerous expenses – including the purchase of two used cars to help the adults get to their new workplaces – your gift will be
gratefully received. Payment may be made by Paypal on our website, communitychorusofdetroit.com under Donate, or by check to “Community Chorus of Detroit,” sent to Thomas Linn, CCD Treasurer; 9120 Dwight; Detroit MI 48214. With either payment method, please note “Afghan Fund” on your gift. The CCD is a 501(c)3 organization.
Huge thank you to all of our volunteer choristers, including choristers and friends of the chorus who have helped (names are listed within categories in random order):
Moving van drivers and movers: Derek Buyan, Stephen Fardig, Robin Jaynes, Mark Mardirosian, Thom Linn
Home organization crew: Kay Rittinger, Diane and Thom Linn, Roberta Shortt, Robin and Pat Jaynes, Lauri Palmer, Nancy Carpenter, Dawn Zifilippo and her mom Carolyn, Phil Beuckelaere, Lana Vacha, Elin Mathews, Chelsea Broom, Dawn Zifilippo, Kate MacEwen Conti, Elaine Mardirosian, Madeleine Jones, Steve and Lynn Knazik, Stephen Fardig
At-home mover/furniture assembler crew: Stephen Fardig, Steve Knazik, Phil Beuckelaere, Robin Jaynes, Mark Mardirosian, Jay and Benni Aho, Jim Holubka, Rob Kushler, Bob Koenig
Donors of furniture and household items: Elizabeth Brunette, Mary Clare Duran, Stephen Fardig, Vicki and Gary Gillette, Charna Grant, Madeleine Jones, Helene Tigchelaar and Richard Davis, Thomasina Franklin, Lynn and Steve Knazik, Chelsea Broome, the Aho family – Jay, Tanya, Benni, Elin Mathews, Bob Koenig and Lana Vacha, Sue Chaplin, Nancy Carpenter, Derek Buyan, Patty Jylkka, Roberta Shortt, Kaye Rittinger, Dawn Zifilippo, Jeff Ellison and Anastasia Cadotte, Diane and Thom Linn, Mark and Elaine Mardirosian, Betty and Steve Palms, Madeleine Jones, Kim Stroud, Kate MacEwen Conti, Paul and Cheryl Van Tol
Financial donors: Barb Friedl, Marletta Boyd, the Aho family, Stephen Fardig, Sheila Holmes, Adele Martz, Vicki and Mike Myckowiak, Mary and Mike Duerksen, Dawn Zifilippo, Paul and Carol Lingenfelter, Gary and Vicki Gillette, Phil and Cheri Beuckelaere, Carol Hill, Rob Kushler and Mary Jo Oresti, Thom and Diane Linn, Steve and Lynn Knazik, Shelly Toenniges, the Demkovitz family, Paul and Cheryl Van Tol, Mary Anne Pilette, Steve Roach, John and Alicia Nicholson, Jim Holubka, Hope Hughes, Helene Tigchelaar and Richard Davis, Anne and Gordon Harding, Tom Barrow and Patrice Harold Barrow, Lana Vacha and Bob Koenig, Andy and Alison Linn, Richard and Andrea Witkowski, Patty Phillips, James and Diane Price, Susan Cooper, Emily Linn and Matt Beuckelaere
Our Welcome Team members who have taken the Samaritas training: Benni, Jay, & Tara Aho; Nancy Carpenter; Verna Cole; Stephen Fardig; Robin and Pat Jaynes; Diane & Thom Linn; Kaye Rittinger; Molly Sanford; Roberta Shortt; Rita Tolvanen
