07-20-2017 AEP Foundation donates $375,000 to Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion; M-140 repairs and r

AEP FOUNDATION DONATION PRESENTED… with construction site of Lake-land Medical Center Pavilion in background. At the presentation are (from the left) Dr. Loren Hamel, President & CEO of Lakeland Health, Shane Lies, Site Vice President at the DC Cook Nuclear Plant and board member of the Lakeland Health Foundations and Brandi Smith-Gordon, Lakeland Foundations President.

AEP Foundation donates $375,000 to Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion

 Indiana Michigan Power and Cook Plant, on behalf of the American Electric Power Foundation, announced Monday, July 17 a $375,000 grant pledged in support of the Lakeland Medical Center Pavilion. Funds will support a second location for the Lakeland Center for Wound and Hyperbaric Medicine, and a patient waiting area to be located on the second floor of the new Pavilion. Lakeland’s founding Wound Center is currently located in the Lakeland Medical Suites, Niles.

“Part of our mission at AEP is to develop innovative solutions that power communities and improve lives,” said Shane Lies, Site Vice President, Cook Nuclear Plant, Indiana Michigan Power. “That makes us a perfect match to fund Lakeland’s new Wound Center. This is truly the beginning of a new and brighter future for our customers and communities.”

“AEP is in the business side-by-side with us of helping to save lives,” said Loren B. Hamel, MD, President & CEO. “The Wound Center and hyperbaric chamber will help care for some of the sickest patients among us, not only to save lives, but also to save limbs, which is a really special thing to us. Investing in health care is not just investing in today, it’s investing in a generation, and we are very grateful for the donation here today.”

The Wound Center specializes in the treatment of patients with wounds as a result of diabetes, circulatory issues, or trauma. The St. Joseph location will feature the same state-of-the-art hyperbaric oxygen chambers currently located in Niles which deliver high concentrations of oxygen to the bloodstream and assists in healing wounds, stimulating the growth of new blood vessels, improving circulation, and helping to fight certain types of infections.

To date, community members have donated more than $4.8 million in support of the Pavilion which is slated for completion in 2020. For continued updates on the project, including architectural animations, visit www.lakelandhealth.org/pavilion. To learn more about how you can support the project, contact the Lakeland Health Foundations at (269) 927-5143 or visit www.lakelandhealthfoundations.org.

M-140 repairs and repaving start Monday near Watervliet and South Haven

 The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be repairing concrete pavement and resurfacing 9.8 miles of M-140 in Watervliet, and South Haven.

The $1.24 million investment includes concrete repairs, asphalt resurfacing and permanent pavement markings on M-140 from Napier Avenue in Berrien County to Dan Smith Road south of Watervliet in Van Buren County, and from 32nd Avenue in Covert to south of I-196 in Van Buren County.

Construction is set to start Monday, July 24, and is expected to be completed on Friday, August 25. While most of the work will be completed during daytime hours, there will be some nighttime activity. Southbound M-140 will remain open throughout construction. Northbound M-140 will be closed and detoured in four stages:

Stage 1: Meadowbrook Road, Bainbridge Road, and Napier Avenue.

Stage 2: Napier Avenue, Park Road, and North Branch Road.

Stage 3: North Branch Road, Friday Road, and Red Arrow Highway.

Stage 4: 32nd Avenue and Blue Star Highway.

According to Nick Schirripa, MDOT Office of Communications, safety benefits of this road work are: New road surface will improve ride quality and extend the life of the roadway; improved surface friction will improve safety; and new pavement markings will improve drivers’ ability to see lanes and shoulders, improving safety.

For a map and project details, visit Mi Drive at http://bit.ly

Girls on the Run Announces Merger to Better Serve Southwest Michigan

Berrien County Council and Van Buren/Cass/St. Joseph Counties Council to merge

For twenty years, Girls on the Run International has inspired more than one million girls to be joyful, healthy and confident by using a proven curriculum which creatively integrates running.

The organization is pleased to announce the merger of two local councils: Girls on the Run Berrien County and Girls on the Run Van Buren/Cass/St. Joseph County. The merger is effective July 13, 2017 and the new entity will be known as Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan. The council will serve girls and families in a four-county area that includes Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. This merger will expand the reach of Girls on the Run in Southwest Michigan to better fulfill its mission of empowering girls.

The merger of the two neighboring councils will create a stronger regional, independent council. Julie Bos, Executive Director of Girls on the Run Berrien County will continue to lead the new council. “We are thrilled to bring the Van Buren/Cass/St. Joseph council into our family. I am equally thrilled to be working alongside the terrific teams of volunteers and supporters in Van Buren, Cass and St. Joseph counties again,” said Bos. “The merger will give us the capacity to serve more girls and make our council stronger as we look to the future.”

Originally established in 2008, Girls on the Run Berrien County became an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2016, and has served over 6,243 girls since inception. Girls on the Run Van Buren/Cass/St. Joseph County was established in 2005 and has served over 5,048 since it began. Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan plans to reach out to sites, coaches, volunteers, donors and other supporters to ensure a smooth transition during the merger. One of the main priorities will be to continue delivering the program at the existing sites, while building infrastructure that can support expansion to new sites, expansion in programming, and expansion of scholarship opportunities.

“We plan to continue to involve hundreds of local volunteers who have played critical roles at each council by serving as coaches and liaisons, supporting 5K management, 5K volunteers and participating in fund development,” Bos added.

The merger between these two councils will be most noticeable in spring of 2018. Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan will offer 5K Celebrations in both Berrien and Van Buren counties. This will allow the girls, their families and the community to gather, participate and celebrate in different regions, bringing the community together in unique ways. If you would like to get involved, please contact Julie Bos at julie.bos@girlsontherun.org or (269) 281-4277.

Items needed for fund-raiser consignment auction benefiting Michigan Flywheelers Museum

 Have an old tractor that’s just been sitting in a field rusting away? Consider selling it while helping a good cause at the Michigan Flywheelers Museum’s consignment auction on Sunday, September 10 at 9:30 a.m. The auction is part of the museum’s antique engine and tractor show, which starts Thursday, September 7.

Proceeds from the auction are used for operational expenses and development of exhibits. The museum is looking for farm-related items for the auction. They can either be sold on consignment or donated. Consignment fee is 18 percent. No household items will be accepted.

The Antique Engine and Tractor show which runs Thursday, September 7 through Sunday, September 10 is one of several events hosted by the museum. It is one of the largest shows of its kind in the state.  A non-profit organization that is dedicated to the preservation of antique farm machinery and its history, the Michigan Flywheelers Museum is located on 68th street in Geneva Township.

Persons attending the auction will have to pay admission to the show. Cost is $7. Children 12 and under are free. For auction information, contact Mike at 269-369-9500. For museum information visit www.michiganflywheelers.org, call 269-639-2010 or look on Facebook.