eMacomb - Featured Article, Fall 2013

Macomb County employees raise funds for the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund

The Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development hosted a fundraising luncheon on Aug. 20, raising over $3,000 for the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund (FWSF).

“This is our third annual summer luncheon for a cause,” said Planning and Economic Development Director Stephen Cassin. “Our mission is to cultivate a sense of community while working to build business in Macomb County. This event is just one of many ways that we contribute to our overall quality of life.”

The Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund is a volunteer organization that helps Michigan veterans who return from Iraq and Afghanistan finding themselves in need of support and assistance. The primary function of the FWSF is to bridge the financial gap between the time a service member is injured and their receipt of Veteran Affairs benefits.

Lynn Phillips, distributions chair and fundraising chair of the FWSF said one hundred percent of profits go directly to struggling veterans.

“We help with housing, food, utilities, transportation, medical expenses and other needs,” she said.

In all, 70 employees who work in the Macomb County Administration Building in downtown Mount Clemens bought tickets for the luncheon. Everyone enjoyed pulled pork sliders provided by Bud Montruiel of John Barleycorn’s. This was Montruiel’s second year catering the department’s fundraising luncheon. County staff and officials also donated an assortment of great items for a silent auction including generous gifts from County Executive Mark Hackel, Prosecutor Eric Smith and Treasurer Ted Wahby. In all, the event and raffle raised more than $3,000 for the veterans.

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development began its departmental charity events in 2011 by hosting a pizza and salad luncheon that collected $600 to provide Girl Scout summer camp scholarships. The 2012 luncheon raised $2,150 for the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 and more than 180 pounds of food for its Pop Kramer Food Bank.

For more information about the Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund call (734) 904-6645 or visit www.FWSF.org.