Saturday, April 25, 2020

Tommie L. Sawyer
    Tommie L. Sawyer, 95, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. A lifelong resident of Ingham County, Tommie was born January 25, 1925 in Bell Oak to Elbert and Goldie (Fisher) Sawyer.  He was a proud Army veteran of World Ware II, and longtime associate of Sparrow Hospital.  
     Tommie loved golfing, fishing, and motorcycling – taking trips all around the country with his wife, Luana.  Together they wintered in Florida for over 30 years.  He was a talented wood and metal worker, and above all, loved his grandkids, great-grandkids, and now, great-great-grandkids.
    He was preceded in death by his parent; his siblings, Cleo Hill, Clinton Saywer, and Billie Sawyer; and a great grandson, Caleb Turner.
     He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 73 years, Luana (Monroe) Sawyer; his children, Shirley (James) LaPine, Thomas (Sherry) Sawyer, and Luana (Eddie) Fuller; his 11 grandkids, 30 great-grandkids, and 2 great-great-grandkids; as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
     A private family service will take place, followed by burial at Alchin Farms Cemetery in Webberville.
     In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Webberville United Methodist Church, 4215 E. Holt Rd, Webberville, MI 48892. 
Laura Jean Petsch
    Laura Jean Petsch, who preferred to go by Jean, of Webberville, MI was born on April 22, 1923. She unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2020. Jean lived a long beautiful life to the age of 96, missing her 97th birthday by just three days.
    Jean of was one of four children. All of her siblings preceded her in death: Don, George, and Gladys. She was a loving mother of two daughters: Patty, and Bonnie whom preceded her in death as well. Grandmother of 6: Ken (Stacie), Kim (Ted), Tony (Becky), Mindy, Tonya and Ashley. Great Grandmother of 8: Kaelyn, Sydney, Kenadie, Aeries, Caleb, Phyllis, Leila, and William.
    Jean married the love of her life in 1952, Walter—who is now deceased. They spent many years on the farm they had established together raising cows, chickens, rabbits, and many other animals. Jean enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers and using her homegrown vegetables to can food.
    Through the years she took pleasure in bird watching. You could find several bird feeders throughout her yard, along with different flowers to attract a variety of birds. Jean and Walter would frequent the Williamston Senior Center where they were able to enjoy taking many trips with their friends. Jean would spend her Sunday mornings attending service at Oak Grove United Methodist Church where she was fond of watching Walt sing in the choir. In the last few years of her life she would pass her time with her friends at Olive Branch Assisted Living playing bingo and doing word finders.
    A private funeral service was held for immediate family members on Wednesday, April 22. A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at a later date for friends and family. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the family, and online condolences can be expressed at pjherrmannfuneralhome.com 
The Salvation Army continues to serve during novel coronavirsus pandemic
      Salvation Army of Livingston County takes very seriously our call to "meet human needs" and have done just that over the past month of the noveal coronavirus pandemic.
    In only 24 days, March 17  - April 17 , The Salvation Army of Livington County:
    --Served 3861 prepared meals through the Mobile Lunch program (at lunch sites and delivered to homeless families)
    --Had 2130 people visit our Mobile Lunch program
    --Provide 9406.5 pounds of food through our Pantry
    --Provided breakfast, lunch and snack boxes for 637 Howell School children 
    --Had 144 volunteers that provided over 429 hours of service
    This is in addition to providing relief for any family or individual in need of our normal assistance programs.
  As the pandemic continues and the needs of the community change, The Salvation Army steps in when they can. Over the past couple of weeks, The Salvation Army of Livingston County encountered another need, people that could not get to a food pantry or grocery store. After planning and preparation, last week we started a pantry delivery service.
    “Shortly after affordable transportation became limited, we started receiving phone calls from people that could no longer get to a pantry due to lack of transportation and other reasons,” said Major Prezza Morrison “We knew something needed to be done to ensure all residents of Livingston County were still able to receive food. After brain storming and some test runs, we determined that we are able to provide a pantry delivery service.”
    The delivery service is an appointment-based program that will deliver a box of shelf-stable food items to those in need with the priority being persons with no transportation first, seniors second and all others to follow. Persons in need must live in Livingston County and have no form of transportation or meet one of the other limited qualifications. After completing the online request form, those requesting the delivery will be contacted within 48 hours to determine if they meet the criteria.
     “We recently received an email from a family in need. There were children in the home and due to an automobile accident, the single parent was not able to drive or work,” said Major Morrison “Now without income they really depended on the community resources but had no way of getting them. Afraid the children may go without, they frantically contacted us to see what we could do. At that time, we were not providing delivery service, however we could not let a family go without. That was our trial run which helped us decide that we could do this.”
     To sign up for the delivery service individuals should visit www.SalvationArmyLivingston.org where they will find a form to complete and submit. Once the form is submitted someone will contact the individual within 48 business hours. Completing the form does not guarantee a delivery. Due to the limited staff onsite, The Salvation Army prefers those seeking assistance to complete the online form verse calling the office.
    The Salvation Army is seeking monetary donations to help with these additional programs. The estimated cost for all of the new programs and services is about $50,000 more per month.
    To donate in-kind or monetary donations contact April Dertian at 517-295-4344 or april.dertian@usc.salvationarmy.org.
    Donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army Corps location Monday- Friday 9am-3:00pm, 503 Lake St, Howell 48843, mailed to P.O Box 647, Howell MI 48844 or donated online www.SalvationArmyLivingston.org
     New information is posted regularly, and we may change to better serve the needs. For up-to-date information check out our Facebook page: Facebook @SalvationArmyLivingston
With lockdown, now’s a good time to plan for Fowlerville Fair Open Class
     There's no accurate guessing when we'll all go back to normal life, or what the 'new normal' will be.  But the current hope is that the Fowlerville Family Fair will be the fun event that it has been for more than a century.
     Now is the time to be thinking about joining in the fun.  Fairbooks are not available yet, but now is the time to think about Open Class entries.
     With the lockdown, kids are home from school and many parents are keeping them occupied with crafts and other activities.  Adults are also keeping busy with these same things.  This is a good year to start entering your projects if you've never before!  And if you have entered in previous years, now is the time to start planning for this year.
     Included in Open Class are sections for both adults and for youth.  A variety of arts and crafts can be entered including drawing, painting and photography, gardening and horticulture, woodworking, papercrafts, quilting and sewing, crocheting and knitting, embroidery, cross-stitch and other needlework, baking, canning, collection displays, and creative writing.
     Very few categories from all the history of Fair have ever been removed; any item not specifically listed can still be entered in Open Class competition in any of the many categories under 'any other not listed'.  So almost no one is excluded from showing their own kind of creative work.
     And as new projects have come along, and interests have changed over the years, more categories have been added.  Your specialty could bring both a festive ribbon, and a cash prize.
     Keep working on your activities, both to occupy your hands and minds during these difficult days, and to express your own gifts.  Now is the time to look at finishing touches, or make your plan so your entry will be the best it can be.
    +++As soon as the weather is better, asparagus will be coming up..... it is the first of the fresh produce that can be made in to pickle spears, and a great place to start summer canning.  Then strawberries and jam!
    +++Everyone's home, wanting to spice up the long days, and families are cooking more.  It's a great time to practice and polish your recipes then plan to make them just before Fair.
    +++Pretty soon the days will be pretty and it'll be a great time to photograph nature or to put your own observations on canvas with pencil, or oil, or watercolor.
    +++With everyone all together and sometimes underfoot, sometimes it's the best thing for everyone in tight quarters to go into the woodshop, or to the work bench, or to make a small craft area in an out-of-the-way corner.
    +++Sometimes the on-line schoolwork that students are completing at home includes an essay; now is a good time to add to it and submit a creative writing entry. 
    +++Children of all ages are playing with Legos to fill the days; there's an entry category for this, too.
     So many different projects can be done between now and Fair, and entered into Open Class by July 1 in person, on-line or by mail.  It can be a fun goal when the days run together.  There's a single fee for entry, but it includes a pass into Fair, which is scheduled to begin July 27.  Watch the Facebook page, or check out FowlervilleFamilyFair.com for release of the 2020 Open Class Book.
     See you at the Fair!

Saturday, April 18, 2020

Patricia J. Van Gilder
     Patricia J. Van Gilder, of Fowlerville, was born December 6, 1929 in Fort Slocum, New York. She passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020.
     Beloved mother of 6 children: Roger, Linda (Frank), Rick (Terry), Nancy (Mary), Bob, Sue (John).  She was also a grandmother to 9, great grandmother to 10, and great great grandmother to 1.
     Pat was always the quiet one in the corner, listening intently but rarely speaking.  She always had a big smile and a hug for everyone and for a select few she had a great eye roll. She was the wind beneath many wings…
    Pat married her now deceased husband Fred in 1949 and they built a great family farm together.  In earlier days she could often be seen out on one of the tractors, toting a child or in the kitchen all day cooking for the family and the hired hands.  Her focus was always the family and the farm.  She loved her family above all else.
     Pat loved to travel.  During her life she was thrilled to have gone on big trips to Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Africa and the Galapagos Islands with Africa being her favorite.  During her later years, the birds and wildlife in her backyard became one of her greatest pleasures.  
     A celebration of Patricia's life will be held at a later date.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Fowlerville FFA.  Arrangements entrusted to Herrmann Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be expressed at pjherrmannfuneralhome.com 
Livingston County United Way cancels annual Day of Caring
     Livingston County United Way (LCUW) has always believed in the strength of community. Their Annual Day of Caring is a way for neighbors to help neighbors and for families and companies to instill the values of giving back and making a difference.  This COVID-19 Pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways, but the neighbors helping neighbors can be seen with a teddy bear in a window, grocery store deliveries, teacher drive-bys and so much more. 
    LCUW has made the difficult decision to cancel the 19th Annual Day of Caring due to the Covid19 crisis. 
    Reverend Jeff Blagg, United Way Board Vice-President and Day of Caring Co-chairperson stated: 
     “After great discussion and in consideration of Governor Whitmer’s shelter-in-place orders, the current business climate, and the immediate overall safety, health and well-being of our community, the decision was made to cancel the Day of Caring event for June 17, 2020.
    “I cannot tell you how hard that decision was, but all of the facts were just staring us in the face. While we know that the Day of Caring Steering Committee members are an amazing group, and that if anyone could pull this off in this type of environment, it would be this committee. The bottom line is, all the logistics and coordination for the event require a great deal of person-to-person contact in the next 10 weeks leading up to the event, which creates a safety risk for the community.”
    LCUW is committed to this event and the value it brings to our community. The Day of Caring Steering Committee and the United Way staff has committed and looks forward to reconvening in the future to plan for the 2021 Day of Caring.
    In the meantime, LCUW recognizes in the months ahead the needs of our community will be shifting due to this crisis, but it is not clear today as to what those specific needs will be, or the timeline for which it will be safe for residents and volunteers to be free of social distancing guidelines. 
    LCUW is actively working to create a plan to meet the needs that already exist, and will look for ways to help support future needs, whether through volunteer opportunities, neighborhood connections or individual efforts.
    To receive important communications, sign up for LCUW newsletter at https://www.lcunitedway.org/  Please email any Day of Caring questions or concerns to Diane Duncan, Day of Caring Coordinator atlcdayofcaring@gmail.com
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan rises up to serve girls amid COVID-19 Crisis 
     With the world coming to a screeching halt, it seems that everything has been cancelled. Girl Scouts, however, is never cancelled. Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan has pivoted our program model to allow all girls to participate in virtual Girl Scout programming, including badge earning activities and the Cookie Program. 
     Content posted daily on our Facebook page provides activities, education, and fun for girls ages 5-17. Topics include community service, cybersecurity, engineering, arts and STEAM, friendship, and more, as new topics are added daily. A full menu of our virtual offerings can be found on our website. 
    Girls are enjoying this wide array of virtual activities, while planning for in-person adventures, troop activities, field trips, and community service projects, when all is safe for interaction. 
     As part of that planning, girls are continuing to participate in the cookie program, the largest entrepreneurial program for girls in the world! Girls throughout Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan have digital cookie stores, from which you can order cookies to be shipped right to your door. You also have the chance to donate to the girl’s Hometown Hero effort, which supports the purchase of cookies for local frontline healthcare workers and first responders. These purchases support girls right in your community, and ensure that girls reach the goals they have set for themselves and their troops. 
     Anyone interested in purchasing cookies from a girl right here in our community can email gshom@gshom.org. 
     Girl Scouts have always risen to the challenge, helping out during the Spanish influenza in 1918 and during both World Wars. Today’s Girl Scouts are no different. We have seen girls across our great state doing what they can to make a positive difference in their world around them, through creating homemade masks, donating cookies, and planning socially distanced community service opportunities. 
Fowlerville’s Brendan Young selected to Division 2 All-State second team
   Brendan Young, a member of the Fowlerville High School basketball squad, was selected to the second team Division 2 All-State Team. The junior forward, who scored his 1000th career point earlier in the season, had an outstanding year, averaging 25.7 points per game, along with 10.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals. The Glads finished with a 10-11 record.
    His coach, Jim Jonas, said the honor was well-deserved.
    “Brendan had a tremendous season,” said Jonas. “He was solid in every phase of the game.  The other thing about his season that was so awesome was his consistency.  If you go down our schedule and look at any two consecutive games, if you add his point totals up, he was always over 40 points in those games.  That just shows you that he brought it every single night!  He has a very bright future.”

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Dorothy Lucille Humrich
    Dorothy Lucille (Townsend) Humrich, age 99, formerly of Webberville, went to be with her Lord on April 3, 2020. She was born November 30, 1920 to Fay and Gladys (Smith) Townsend of Dansville, Michigan. She married Lawrence A. Humrich on August 17, 1946 in St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fowlerville. Lawrence preceded her in death on April 25, 1976. 
     Her early years were impacted by the tragic loss of her mother when she was only 6 years old. She helped care for her siblings at a very young age during The Great Depression. Dorothy worked many different jobs, including Ford Motor Co. at Willow Run during World War II. After marriage, she supported her husband in the work of operating their dairy farm near Parkers Corners. She loved to sew, making many teddy bears and afghans. She also loved to bake, especially Christmas cookies with her grandchildren and baked goods for family and church. She enjoyed spending winters in Jensen Beach, Florida. 
     Dorothy was a longtime active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and also a member of Michigan Farm Bureau. She lived her later years at the Humrich Homestead where she started married life. Her final years were at Riverwind Assisted Living in Williamston. 
    Dorothy is survived by three children: Clark (Linda) Humrich, Marvin (Jean) Humrich, and Noreen (Michael) Schoonover; five grandchildren: Jamie (Andy) Schneider, Jodi (Brian) Hill, Scott (Becky) Humrich, Beth (Ben) Sperry, and Alane Humrich (John Patterson); 15 great-grandchildren; one sister, Geraldine Battige; and numerous nieces and nephews. 
     She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers: Howard, Rex, and Loal; three sisters: Helen, Mary Louise, and Evadene; two half-sisters: Elaine and Mae Marie: one half-brother: Roland; and two step brothers: Junior and Charles. 
    Graveside services were held for immediate family on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. A memorial service is planned for a future date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 132 S Benjamin Street, PO Box 218, Fowlerville, Michigan. Arrangements by Caskey-Mitchell Funeral Home, Stockbridge. 
United Way Community Covid-19 Relief Fund now in full operation
     The Livingston County United Way (LCUW) is excited to share the LCUW Community Covid-19 Relief Fund is set up, is receiving donations and has already sent checks to 7 programs needing support at the front line. 
     A hundred percent of the funds raised will go toward helping local nonprofit agencies meet the basic needs of those most vulnerable during this crisis. 
   “The online platform we created has given residents the capability to donate any size of donation, and it’s working, $20 donations add up quick,” said Terri Hillier-Romankewiz, LCUW Marketing & Development Director.
     The LCUW Community Covid-19 Relief fund has also received two large donations from local companies. 
    Meijer sent LCUW a donation with an enclosed written letter from Rick Keyes, President and CEO, and Hank Meijer, Executive Chairman, stating “The essential services you provide day after day offer hope, stability in the building blocks for a good quality of life for every member of our community. We are honored to provide you with $39,000.” Meijer has 3 store locations in Livingston County.
     Citizen’s Insurance Company of America, a member of The Hanover Insurance Group, located in Howell, also made a donation of $25,000.
     “United Way is offering critical support to the local community during these challenging times. As a member of the Howell community, we’re proud to help further its efforts,” said Paul J. Mueller, West Zone Executive at The Hanover.
     Thanks to the generosity of these donors, LCUW was able to provide support to 6 nonprofits with 7 programs.  Recipient agencies will provide emergency food, nights of shelter, and personal care items to Livingston County residents already impacted by the Covid-19 shutdown.  Liz Welch, LCUW Community Investments Director said, “We also have to thank our Community Impact Volunteers, who have been meeting with us virtually to help us make these critical funding decisions.”
    LCUW encourages local nonprofits to apply for funding.  Right now, LCUW is able to turn around a response within a week or less. Relief Fund guidelines and application can be found at https://www.lcunitedway.org/coronavirus/.
     As things continue to change daily, we know the next weeks will uncover additional needs for families. LCUW invites the community to also get involved and make a big impact.
     If you would like to donate to the fund, you can visit our website at www.lcunitedway.org, click on this link http://igfn.us/form/ukDgsg , text Livcohelp to 41444 or mail a check payable to Livingston County United with “Community Relief Fund” noted in the memo line. Mail checks to LCUW at 2980 Dorr Rd, Brighton, MI 48116.
Salvation Army to extend Mobile Lunch Program in response to closed schools
    As the situation continues to change, so does The Salvation Army’s efforts to address the  needs of area residents.
     With the latest news that the schools will not reopen for the rest of the school year, The Salvation Army of Livingston County has extended the Mobile Lunch Program. The program that has served over 2,400 meals in just 14 days (as of last Tuesday), will continue to run every weekday until June 5.
    Through this program, The Salvation Army will be able to continue helping families alleviate the added expense of the additional meal the kids would have received at school.
     “June 5th would have been the last day of school which is how we determined how long the program would run,” said Major Prezza Morrison. “Later in the month we will start our normal summer programming, Summer Lunch Bunch, which will provide not only a meal, but also a pantry box.”  
     Over the past three-plus weeks, The Salvation Army has also seen an increase of more than double the number of families coming to the food pantry for groceries, as well as a huge increase in the number of people in need of shelter. Additionally, since the Shelter-in-Place order, the number of nights people are being sheltered has doubled to ensure they are not being sent out to seek additional shelter during this time.
     “Normally many families in need of shelter are able to stay with family and friends to help them get back on their feet,” noted Major Morrison “However, since COVID-19 hit Michigan, the Shelter-in-Place order was executed and CDC’s recommendations, families experiencing home-lessness need another option.”
    In addition to the extended Mobile Lunch Program, The Salvation Army of Livingston County will continue providing the pantry boxes for the Howell Area School families on April 13 and 20. The pantry boxes will contain breakfast, lunch and snacks that families can pick up once a week. At this time the special program is only for Howell area school children.
    The Salvation Army is seeking monetary help. The cost of the Mobile Lunch Program, Howell Schools partnership, additional pantry assistance and added shelter nights is almost $50,000 per month. This is in addition to the normal assistance that The Salvation Army is still providing.
     To volunteer contact Darlene Howard at 517-295-4347 or darlene.howard@usc.salvationarmy.org. To donate in-kind or monetary donations contact April Dertian at 517-295-4344 or april.dertian@usc.salvationarmy.org.
    Donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army Corps location Monday- Friday 9am-4:30pm, 503 Lake St, Howell 48843
   New information is coming hourly and The Salvation Army may change its plan to better serve the needs. For up-to-date information check out our Facebook page: Facebook @SalvationArmyLivingston 
Livingston Catholic Charities still providing several services; office open
    Livingston Catholic Charities is open and providing mental health and substance abuse counseling, foster care and adoption services, Elder Abuse Neglect & Exploitation Prevention assistance, Substance Abuse Prevention and senior services - Community Liaison (connecting seniors to critical resources) and Volunteer Caregiver program.   
    Our open times at the office are:
    --Tuesdays 12 noon-8pm
    --Wednesdays 9am-5pm 
    --Fridays 9am-5pm  
    Program staff or Directors can be reached by calling the main office at 517-545-5944 or visiting www.livingstoncatholiccharities.org/contact-us for direct e-mails.  As many program staff are working remotely, e-mails may be the quickest way to receive a response.  
    LCCC's Substance Abuse Case Manager can be reached 24/7 at 517-375-1652.
    In addition, the following program closure updates are listed below:
    --Be Our Guest Adult Day will remain closed through and including May 1, 2020.
    --Special Ministries of Livingston County will remain closed through and including May 1, 2020.
    If you have any questions on the above information, you may contact Mark Robinson, Executive Director, at mark@livingstoncatholiccharities.org.   LCCC continues to provide updates and information on both our web site Corona Virus page and FaceBook page.
Fowlerville Family Fair still on; Youth Show to be offered
By Steve Horton
    Barring a government order to the contrary or the current COVID-19 pandemic making it unfeasible, the annual Fowlerville Family Fair will take place as planned this summer. The  six-day event is scheduled July 27-August 1.
    The fair will also offer as close as possible all of the livestock and still-exhibit judging, special activities, and auctions that normally are put on by 4-H, only they’ll come under the heading of Youth Show.
   This change is due to the MSU Extension Service, under which the youth organization operates, cancelling all 4-H activities until September, including participation in the fairs.
    The fair board, upon learning of this decision by MSU Extension, met last week to decide whether to put on the fair without any 4-H participation or provide this alternative. 
    Since those youth activities—centered in the back end of the fairgrounds—make up such a large part of the local fair, not having it would have made it a challenge to even stage the event, a fair official said.
    Dr. Tim Tersigni, a member of the board, explained that it was a unamimous decision to proceed with the fair, unless ordered not to by the state, and to include a Youth Show. He added that the offerings will mirror as much as possible what is done by 4-H during fair week and that participation in the different classes and activities will be open to “all area youngsters,” not just those who belong to 4-H.
    “Given what’s now going on with the shelter-in-place that is confining many people to their homes, the business closures and lay-offs, and the disruption and hardship this is causing, the board felt that putting on the fair would be a way of helping get things back to normal,” he said. “We also didn’t want to take away this opportunity for our young people to bring their animals and other projects to the fair and to have the judging and other activities.”
    Tersigni noted that a plan will be created for the Show, with details to be announced as soon as possible.
   Updates and information will be available on the fair’s website: www.FowlervilleFamilyFair.com, on its Facebook page, and through area media.
   “The board realizes that the spread of the disease and how long it lasts may change our current decision,” he said, “but since the fair doesn’t take place until late July, we felt it was worth proceeding with it and to have the event be as normal as possible.”
Fowlerville High School Alumni Banquet cancelled due to COVID-19 
   The Fowlerville High School Alumni Banquet, like many other early-summer events, has been cancelled due to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
    FHS Alumni President Judy Recker was notified last week by local school officials that due to the spread of the novel coronavirus that has resulted in the closure of school buildings for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, the annual event would need to be cancelled.
    The banquet was scheduled this year for June 6.
   “The Alumni Board will be meeting to discuss how to recognize classes that were going to be honored during the 2020 program and plan for 2021,” Recker said. “Four members of the Fowlerville High School graduating class will receive schoalarships as planned. Donations to this scholarship fund are accepted throughout the year by the Alumni Association.”
   Donations can be send to: Fowlerville Alumni Association, PO Box 446, Fowlerville MI 48836. Recognition of donations made for 2020 will be reconized in the 2021 banquet program.

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Social Security benefits will be paid on time; other updates related to pandemic
    Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security, reminds the public that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit payments will continue to be paid on time during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The agency also reminds everyone to be aware of scammers who try to take advantage of the pandemic to trick people into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain Social Security benefit payments or receive economic impact payments from the Department of the Treasury.
     “Social Security will pay monthly benefits on time and these payments will not be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Commissioner Saul said.  “I want our beneficiaries to be aware that scammers may try to trick you into thinking the pandemic is stopping or somehow changing your Social Security payments, but that is not true.  Don’t be fooled.”
     The Department of the Treasury will soon provide information about economic impact payments under the recently enacted law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act.  Treasury, not Social Security, will be making direct payments to eligible people.  Please do not call Social Security about these payments as the agency does not have information to share.
     The agency continues to direct the public to its online self-service options whenever possible.  Local offices are closed to the public but are available by phone.  People can find their local field office phone number by accessing the Field Office Locator. 
     To allow available agents to provide better phone coverage, the agency is temporarily changing the National 800 Number hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time to 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. local time.  The agency is experiencing longer than normal wait times on the 800 Number and asks the public to remain patient, use its online services at www.socialsecurity.gov, or call their local office.
     Please visit the agency’s COVID-19 web page at www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus/ for important information and updates.
Family Impact Center’s Food Pantry here to help those in need
    Family Impact Center’s Client-Choice Food Pantry is here to help you during these very difficult times.  On any day of the week, please call 517-223-4428, listen to the recording and then leave a clear message along with your phone number.  
    Upon returning your call, we will read a list of available items from which you will choose and then set up a day and time for you to come.
    Pick-up options will be from within the following days and times:  Tuesdays (10:00 – 3:00 p.m.), Thursdays (10:00 – 3:00 p.m. & 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.) and Fridays (10:00 – 2:00 p.m.)
    Whether you are in need of assistance or are wanting to make a donation, please call first so that arrangements can be made. 
    The following verse is prominent on our Pantry wall along with the beautiful mural painted by Sheila Wise: “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised." (Psalms 113:3)  
    We praise and thank God continuously for His protection, love, grace and mercy; and we pray that you have the same peace that comes from knowing and trusting Him. Thank you all so much for your continued help and support!  And know that we are praying for you and your family.
Williamston Area Senior Center
APRIL 2020 EVENTS
    Because of circumstances beyond our control (the Covid-19 Virus) the Williamston Area Senior Center has been closed since March 17, 2020 and will be closed until this emergency is over.
    On March 23, 2020 Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmore issued Executive Order 2020-21 “Suspending all activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life.”  This Order is in effect through April 13,2020 and could be extended if the Covid-19 Virus continues.  During this period of time our Senior Center will be closed.  Please check our website williamstonseniorctr.com or our Facebook for any announcements as to when we will resume our normal activities.
    During this temporary closure any Williamston area senior who may need meals can pick up a seven-day supply of frozen meals here at the Williamston Center every Wednesday. To participate in this temporary meal program please contact the Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-1393 to set up a time to pick up your meals at the Williamston Area Senor Center on any Wednesday during this emergency.
    Please take the advice of our medical experts and wash your hands often, avoid gathering of over 10 individuals, practice social distancing and if you feel ill please state home and, if you believe your illness is serious, please contact your personal physician. 
   Finally, we ask that you be a good neighbor and keep in contact and/or phone your seniors neighbors to make sure they are ok and not in need of any service. 

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Livingston County Sheriff Dept. to help delivery groceries, medicine 
    Deputies with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office are helping bring groceries and prescription medicines to higher risk persons who request their assistance due to concerns about coronavirus exposure and/or a lack of transportation.     The program, at this time, is restricted to residents 65 and older, or for those who have a documented medical condition that puts them at greater risk of harm from COVID-19 exposure. Residents must be able to order their food or medicine online from a Livingston County-based grocery store or pharmacy. They must also not have any other means of securing these essentials, and an exterior door to which the products may be delivered.      Livingston County residents meeting these criteria can call the Sheriff’s Office tipline at (517) 546-8477 and leave a message to make arrangements.