By ZEINAB NAJM
Sunday Times Newspapers
A telethon to benefit the Downriver non-profit Mimi’s Mission raised over $55,000 since Dec. 22, surpassing the $50,000 goal.
Funds raised will allow Mimi’s Mission to continue providing help and resources to families who have special needs children and adults.
The three-hour December to Remember Telethon, presented by Don and Scott Bergeron of Talkin’ Real Estate had $55,542 raised as of Dec. 28. Last year, the telethon raised approximately $32,000
Some of the donations were $5,000 from the Meijer Community Rewards Program, $4,000 from the Allen Park Martial Arts Center, $2,500 from the River Rouge-based non-profit No Kids Without A Christmas, and $500 from the Lincoln Park Police Department at $500.
According to a Facebook post by Mimi’s Mission Founder Lisa Missler Vilella, Sloan Environmental Services Inc. President Eric Sloan matched the fist $10,000 raised with his donation of $10,000.
During the online telethon, Downriver autistic individuals and their families shared their experience with Mimi’s Mission. The telethon also included raffles, drawings and prizes.
“Thank you for your continued support of our mission,” the non-profit’s website read. “It is only because of generous donors and sponsors like you that Mimi’s Mission is able to consistently and uniquely help autistic individuals, their families, and the Downriver community as a whole.
“We appreciate you helping us reach our fundraising goals this evening and hope you have a blast in the process. Good luck on the drawings and raffles, have yourself a merry little Christmas … and here’s to ending 2021 on a high note. Let’s truly make this a December to remember.”
Of the funds raised, over $1,300 came from the Allen Park Police Department, which was turned into a bed and breakfast for Allen Park High School Principal John Kelley, Jessica Dupnack of Fox 2 Detroit and Chris Tuccini with bail money raised through donations.
The bail amount (for Kelley) was set at $1,000, of which Allen Park Supt. Mike Darga contributed $309.27, according to the donation page. Allen Park Mayor Gail McLeod donated $154.79 for the bail.
Pictures in a cell at the department’s jail were offered to those willing to make a $20 donation.
In 2021, Mimi’s Mission provided 911Ready bags to Trenton Police and Fire departments, which were purchased with donations from community members. As a result, every police and fire vehicle in the city is equipped with a bag.
The same bags were provided to the Allen Park Police and Fire departments, courtesy of Annette Prevaux-Matejko of The Visionary Inc., who sponsored 10 of the 15 bags given to the city.
The bags were designed to help first responders interact with autistic children and adults, and have a positive outcome in emergency situations.
For more information on Mimi’s Mission, go to www.mimismission.com.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)