UMRC Assists With Michigan Tornadoes

The following was received from UMRC President & CEO, John Thorhauer:

If I am ever faced with a natural disaster, I want our team of dedicated employees to be there. Today I received a note from an affected employee that read, in part “I want to say thank you for being concerned for my family and I during Thursday’s tornado. CRC has been a wonderful support for us as we continue to clean up. I’ve realized over the past few days how blessed we are to have so many friends and family that continue to offer their assistance and CRC being one of them….” This sentiment has been echoed by many as we have reached out to the community to serve those in need.

As of today, six families affected by the tornado are living at the Cedars of Dexter (COD), one family is housed at Silver Maples of Chelsea (SMOC) and one family at Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC). Among the families of the Cedars of Dexter, there are ten children ranging in age from 8-18 and one young adult (18 years old).

Staff at SMOC are working to house one more family and CRC staff have one temporary resident moving in tomorrow. As many as three additional CRC move-ins may occur in the next few days with one individual becoming a permanent CRC resident. Should that occur, we will be serving thirteen families at UMRC related communities that were affected by the storm.

Staff arranged for apartments and cottages to be fully furnished, including dishes, bedding, towels, cleaning supplies and even teddy bears for the younger kids.

UMRC continues to coordinate with relief agencies and is also working with Dexter Community Schools to ensure needs are met and to arrange for transportation of students to school. This is certainly a new role for a retirement community.

Our residents are appreciative of the efforts of staff and are welcoming our temporary residents. They, like many others, have offered assistance.

UMRC is using money that was earmarked for sponsorships to cover some of the cost. In order to defray other costs, we are working with insurance companies of those affected and are negotiating discounted rates for their stay. Additional needs are being met from contributions to UMRC specifically to benefit the families affected by the storm.

Our newest Board Member, Colleen Dolan-Greene, reached out to the Detroit, Roseville and Grosse Point Rotary organizations for potential to support UMRC’s work. In addition, we have received contributions for families from our landscape company owner, Nancy Wiley, and free transportation for donated furniture from the local 2 Men and a Truck franchise. We also anticipate a contribution from a service club at Ferris State University and individual donations of goods and services.

As we approach one week since the tornado, many families remain in hotels or are temporarily housed with other caring families in the community. We are pleased to be able to assist the community which has contributed to our success since 1906. It helps that we can live out our Guiding Belief entitled “Community” which reads “We want all people we serve to feel welcome in their UMRC home and local community.”

Again, I would ask you to keep those affected by the storm in your prayers as they work to get their lives back to normal. If you would like to make a donation to the United Methodist Retirement Communities, you can donate on the UMRC.com website.