Photo by Daniel Gretzner
Wyandotte Power Squadron officers Jennifer Schaaf (left), Gerald Bielwaski, and Diane and Ted Elwartowski held a white elephant sale and auction recently at the Hungarian Rhapsody in Southgate. The WPS raised almost $500 to aid needy Downriver families this holiday season.
The holidays are upon us with Christmas and the New Year falling within a week of each other. Humanity, compassion and the spirit of giving is on display at the local level as the Wyandotte Power Squadron has donated to a few poor and down and out Downriver families.
This power boating group, which prides itself in promoting boating safety, also has shown it believes in the art of giving as a charitable work to those in need. The WPS, an organization that represents outdoor sports and recreation activity, has proved to be a community role model. They continue, as a group, to give for the greater good of human needs.
On Dec. 13, the WPS conducted a white elephant sale and auction as part of its monthly general meeting. The event was held at Hungarian Rhapsody in Southgate and nearly $500 was raised and donated to a few families hard pressed to have a meaningful Christmas.
WPS commander of 2012, Ted Elwartowski, a Dearborn resident, has effectively run this Downriver nautical boating organization during the past 12 months. This is a group that offers educational seamanship classes to anyone in the area interested in operating a vessel safely and within the law.
One of the more active members is officer Gerald Bielwaski, of Southgate, who is an executive board member. He assisted in driving support for the annual charity event that WPS sponsors.
Joe Manaco, of Wayne, has been a WPS member for more than 20 years.
“These power squadrons are local and national,” he said. “We are the best nautical organization in the country and that includes our Canadian chapters.”
“Focus on Sports” admires the display of charity by the WPS and the acts of kindness extended to needy families during the holiday season.