For The Wish Kids

Team Alex paces statewide team fundraising.

Brooklyn, Mich.

Robert Sklar

Contributing Editor

yclists from Oakland County-
based Team Alex raised
$285,310 for the Make-A-
Wish Foundation of Michigan, tops
among teams taking part in the Wish-
A-Mile (WAM) fundraising rides in
July.
The team entered 110 riders; 86
rode 309 miles over three days across
Michigan and 24 pedaled a 50-mile
loop near Michigan International
Speedway (MIS) the last day, July 29.
Make-A-Wish fulfills wishes to quali-
fying kids with life-threatening medi-
cal conditions.
Team Alex captain Beth Brandvain
of Farmington Hills raised $37,025,
the most of any rider. Team Alex's
David Schwartz of Huntington Woods

was the fifth-highest fundraiser with
$18,496. Statewide, WAM generated a
record $2,054,443.
Warren Robinson of Franklin is the
only member to ride every mile every
year since Team Alex became part of
WAM 14 years ago. His wife, Davida,
prepared a Team Alex Family Tree,
illustrating how the team has grown
from 14 riders in 1999.
Team Alex's Rick Hyman of West
Bloomfield marked his 10th WAM by
again riding with his son, Jared, 22.
Also marking their 10th WAM were
Michael Bellett, Jeff Surnow and Art
Dermer, all of West Bloomfield.
First-year team member Dale
Garber of Farmington Hills captured
WAM in a music-filled video.
Team Alex is named after West
Bloomfield High senior Alexandra
Graham, who died in 1999 at age
17 after a valiant fight against bone
cancer. '11

David Schwartz and Beth Brandvain

Finish area of WAM at MIS

Warren and Davida Robinson

Tel Aviv Spirit

Dale Garber

Jared and Rick Hyman

FIDF Young Leadership group tunes into the modern Israeli vibe.

A

big crowd of young professionals and Friends of the Israel
Defense Forces (FIDF) supporters from across Metro Detroit
came out to experience Tel Aviv nightlife and celebrate the
spirit of Israel on July 25 at Fifth Avenue in Royal Oak. The event was
put on by the FIDF Michigan Chapter's Young Leadership and featured
Itay Galo, a famous DJ who spins at the popular club YAYA in Tel Aviv.
"FIDF has a strong name in Israel, and I enjoyed volunteering my time
to help raise money and support for the wellbeing of IDF soldiers:' Galo
said. "It was amazing to bring the Tel Aviv spirit to Detroit:'
The event was co-chaired by Justin Becker, Aaron Belen and James
Katz.
"We always try to find creative ways to bring young people together
to stand behind Israel and the young men and women who defend the
country," said Becker, FIDF Michigan Chapter Young Leadership presi-
dent. D

Seth Rogers, host committee member, event co-
chairs James Katz and Justin Becker

DJ Itay Galo playing Tel Aviv hits at the FIDF
Young Leadership event in Detroit

August 16 a 2012

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