Humanitarian Programs

SCI-Flint Donates Blue Bag to UM-Flint Kenyan Service Project

Heartfelt thanks to the Flint Chapter of SCI for the donations to the UM-Flint/Kenyan service project.  Two nursing faculty, Linda Knecht and Rose Luster-Turner, along with five “ready to graduate” 2nd degree nursing students, Colleen Knecht, Amrita Joseph, Leslie Stein, Jessica Thomas, and, Sarah White,  traveled to Kenya for a two week study abroad service learning experience.  Donations from SCI were shared between two hospitals, two orphanages, and a high school for orphaned/destitute children. 

Students and faculty assisted in providing nursing services at St. Mary’s Mission Hospitals in Nairobi and in Rift Valley. A Health Fair including screening and health education was conducted over three afternoons for 152 high school students who live in orphanages or in the slums.  For many of these children, it was the first time they had their blood pressure assessed or talked with a nurse.  Forty-four young girls (1-14 years old) who are living with HIV/AIDS are cared for at St. Theresa’s House of Hope in Elementita.  Students and faculty spent time interacting and playing with the children.  It was a great service/learning/study abroad trip for all. 

We learned and received from the children and people of Kenya as much, if not more, as we gave in service.   A second trip to Kenya with 9 students will occur at the end of May with Maureen Tippen and Deb Filos as Nursing faculty leaders.  The SCI donations that were brought to each of the locations were truly appreciated. Your generosity has directly and positively touched the lives of children and adults in Kenya.

Midwest Medical Mission and the University of Michigan-Flint Nurses

and SCI Flint Regional Chapter
Team up for humanitarian relief in the Dominican Republic

The Midwest Medical Mission and the University of Michigan-Flint’s nursing faculty and students had a successful medical mission to the Dominican Republic 2/13-2/24/09.  Thank you for all the donations from the Flint Regional SCI. We were able to get all the donations packed and distributed!

We had a team of both surgical and clinical health care volunteers. Our clinic team volunteers traveled to remote sugar cane villages and treated many needy people. The work was very challenging and rewarding. The people were so appreciative of even the smallest acts of kindness. We were able (through the kind acts of many people) to facilitate building a volleyball court and soccer field in a needy village. The volleyball and soccer balls you donated now found a home in their new “Field of Dreams.”  Build it and they will come!

Health care in the Dominican Republic is most often unaffordable or unattainable. The people we provided health care services for were poor; many were illegal Haitians trying to find a better life. The combination of the supplies in the Blue Bag sponsored by the SCI Flint Regional Chapter and the expertise of the health care professionals helped to make this a successful endeavor, we had the right supplies!  Many of these families would have no medical care without the support of the Safari Care program and the hard work of the volunteers of the Midwest Medical Mission.  The pictures below reflect the caring, overwhelming need.

It is truly a life changing experience.  People like you and your generosity make this all happen. Thank you!

Maureen Tippen

SCI Flint Organizes Bison Hunt for Wounded Marine

John Lockwood, a former Washtenaw County Deputy Sheriff and Saline Police Officer, was wounded in Iraq while on duty with US Marines.

John is a long time hunter, especially a bow hunter. He was critically injured when his Humvee was hit by an improvised explosive device in Fallaujah, Iraq, killing the driver. Lockwood holds the rank of a Sergeant. He lost his left eye and suffered injuries to his left hand and left leg. His injuries required five months in military hospitals where doctors used an experimental procedure to grow four inches of new leg bone, in order to save his left leg.

During this phase of his on-going recovery, John is now living at home with his wife, Lisa. He undergoes daily physical therapy, but he plans to return to the Sheriff's department in about a year.

John, accompanied by his wife and parents, arrived at “The Hundred Acre Wood” game ranch, near Mayville, Michigan, on a cool mid-September morning ready for his hunt. Flint SCI Chapter member Gregg Loudon and Patti Vollweier, Chief Executive Officer of the game farm, donated the Bison Hunt. Bob Nancarrow, Taxidermist, donated his services for a mount. The meat processing was provided by the Thumb Area Mudrunners, an off-road club. Flint Safari Club coordinated all activities.

John’s hunt was successful, ending with a one-shot kill.

The Lockwoods ended up with 550 pounds of meat in their freezer and the knowledge that John’s injuries will not preventing them from planning future hunting trips together. The Flint Chapter of Safari Club International extends a grateful thank you to “The Hundred Area Wood” game ranch for the generous donation.

SafariCare Connects with Michigan Military 9/2010

SafariCare Article 2/2010

Kids Archery League at Flint Bowmen

The Flint Chapter sponsors this kids program in archery. Please see the link for program details.

Sportsmen against Hunger

SCI Flint collected more than 2,800 pounds of venison for the local food banks in 2007, and we have collected over 17,000 pounds to date.

Purchase of Sip and Puff Trigger System

SCI Flint spent $2,000 to acquire a trigger system that enables quadriplegic and paraplegic persons to use firearms for hunting.

Hunt Donations

In 2007 one of our members donated three hunts - a buffalo hunt for a veteran and two fallow deer for youth hunters.

For more information please contact:
Keith  Estes - Humanitarian Services Chairman
(810) 252-7757