jr,g • Oso • • • • • • r •-* s? Err r is- serwilwrwort war.forpw- iraw- pir_or.4wAr-u- .4.1P orroGir-~Awiew ~ - 4.-e-40,404AreiP-OWPWr esiF eeliSi4tx ier ~~00.4,4*******10.41 4 4 10.0.01 4- 04004evre"0100444744011044 0. N4:177-74 • ir *ftso.00.000.0 o e ••"O. 4•e •• teeeer e tr. e. ere.. • • • 4 • • • • • • • 11, • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ♦ • • • it ei••••••••e• 40• •••••••••••••• ■ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• w • • • • • • a- IF - or jr.or v - orrzr Something Extra 4o, Doer Profile FRANCI SILVER City: West Bloomfield Kudos: Special Soccer Mom For many people, Alfilling the roles of wife and moth- er, practicing attorney and soccer coach for her two daughters, Erica, 14, and Marti, 11, would be more than enough. For Franci Silver of West Bloomfield, coaching was not exhausting; it was inspiring. The experience led to her starting a special soccer league so kids with disabili- ties could have the same opportunities to play. The new league, part of a national program called TOPS (The Outreach Program for Soccer), has been playing every Sunday since May 1 at Orchard Lake Middle School in West Bloomfield. There are 37 regu- lar players ages 4-19 with varying skill levels and types of disabilities. Helping people with disabilities is a familiar avoca- tion for Franci. For the past 10 years, she has served as president of the Southeast Michigan Executive Committee for Muscular Dystrophy, working on the annual telethon with her daughters and husband, Larry. How did the league develop? "I was secretary of the Lakes Area Soccer League, where my daughters play, and the president, Jeff Raben, asked me to help start a program for kids with disabilities. I did some research on how these leagues are run in other places. We recruited play- ers from the Lakes Area teams to serve as peer vol- unteers. Each player has at least one volunteer; some might need more than one, to push a wheel- chair, for example." Has this become a family project? "Definitely. It's the best thing we've ever done together as a family. My daughters are peer volun- teers, and my husband, Larry, coaches the team of 8- to 12-year-olds, called 'The Fire."' What about next season? "We're having a big party on the last day, then we'll take a break over the summer. Games will be held at Orchard Lake Middle School during the fall and spring, and the Soccer Zone in Novi has offered to host our league during the winter." What's been most fulfilling? "Just seeing the kids out there on the field. The players love it, their parents love it, and the volun- teers love it; it's a win-win situation. We've gotten amazing feedback, hundreds of e-mails and photos. Franci Silver gives a pep talk to players before a game. One mother wrote us that her daughter, who has autism, declared that she was a 'real' soccer player after we played in the rain, because she knows that's what professional players do. My wish is that every kid who was never able to play on a regular sports team will have that chance now." — Ronelle Grier, special' writer REPORT A DOER... Know a Doer — someone of any age doing interesting, meaningful things in their life outside of their job? Share suggestions with Keri Guten Cohen, story dexiet opment editor, at (248) 351-5144 or e-mail: kcohen@thejewishnews.com " Dar- cioarcio roxtown Grille is a delicious addition to roxtown." Fr Freedom ELEMENTS OF YOUR MODERN LIFESTYLE Freedom. Main North Lofts, Royal Oak MI No other building captures the freedom of downtown Royal Oak quite like Main North Lofts exclusive penthouses, with amenities and services -that range from comfortable and convenient to absolutely indulgent. Everything is here: over twenty-foot ceilings with exposed ductwork, wood flooring in the main living quarters and kitchen, elegant baths with ceramic tile floors, gourmet kitchens with granite-counters and maple cabinetry. Exercise your option to customize with an expanded selection of flooring, countertops, lighting, and more. Come visit our loft model today! Two exclusive 2-story penthouses starting at $824,900 One story lofts available from the $300's main MAIN NORTH LOFTS 6/ 2 2005 14 201 East Eleven Mile Rd., just east of Main Street 248.336.1700 www.mainnorth.com north lofts ,..,01.