Metro

AROUND TOWN

Fun In The Sun

Jewish Family Service hosts celebration for mentor program participants.

Mentor Kathy Vander
of Berkley with Mallory

Stoddard, 14, of Oak Park

M

ichael Colton of Franklin knows what it's like to grow up without a dad.
sored by JFS included face painting, a water balloon toss, moonwalk, volleyball, softball
Colton's father died when Michael was just 11 years old and the loss had a
and the chance to splash at a water park.
lingering effect.
"Our program has been part of JFS for more than 20 years;' explained Lindsay Leder
"Growing up, I felt a hole in my life," Colton said. "It just hurt when there were different of West Bloomfield, the program's development coordinator. "We currently have 93
activities where other kids had fathers hanging around and encouraging them."
matches for Oakland County children ages 7-17, but we're always looking for more vol-
Now, the attorney and father of three grown sons, Eric, 24, Adam, 22, and Kyle, 19,
unteers:'
volunteers with Mentor Connection, a program of Jewish Family
Mentors undergo a strict screening process, including FBI background checks. They're
Service of Metropolitan Detroit. The West Bloomfield-based
matched with children based on hobbies, interests, personalities and geographic loca-
organization matched him up with Adam Shapiro, 13, of
tion.
Berkley. Adam's father passed away before he was born, so they
"It's not only to help a child; I get something out of it, too," Colton said. "It makes me
share a common bond. For the last three years, they've gotten
feel good to participate; I'm making a difference in someone's life."
together about three times a month.
Spotted in the crowd were: Gary Plasko, Ed Cherkinsky and Micki Grossman, all of
"He's a sports junkie, so we do a lot of sports-type things,"
Farmington Hills; Richard Frank, Eva Kraus and Jeff Bennett, all of West Bloomfield;
Colton said. "We've gone to baseball games and hockey games,
Amanda Warner of Birmingham; Richard Cherkasky of Franklin; and Richard Gibbs
played miniature golf, done indoor rock climbing and other
of Bloomfield Hills.
activities."
Colton was among about 150 mentors and their mentees who
Robin Schwartz
To become a mentor, you must be 18 or older, make a one-year commitment,
enjoyed a barbecue and day of fun at Kensington Metropark in
Columnist
see the child at least twice a month for 2-4 hours and pass a background
Milford Aug. 24. The first-ever end-of-summer celebration spon-
check. To volunteer or for more information, go to the Web site,

❑

www.mentorconnect.org or call (248) 592-2300.

Jack DiGiovanni and his daughters,

Samantha, 11, Allie, 9, with mentor Micki
Grossman of Farmington Hills

A24

August 28 2008

Ryan Tibbits, 13, of Milford and his men-
tor, Jeff Bennett of West Bloomfield

Mentor Gary Schwartz of West Bloomfield with Mathew Laanstra, 10, of Royal Oak
and Marlon Westley of Southfield