Community Corner

Plymouth Township Volunteers Help Fulfill Childrens' Wishes

Look for Eric and Darlene Bacyinski at Old Navy, helping Make-A-Wish raise funds and awareness.

On Saturday, Plymouth Township residents Eric Bacyinski, 25, and his mother, Darlene, will join hundreds of Michigan volunteers at Old Navy stores to help make some very special wishes come true.

From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on March 5 and 12, 22 Old Navy locations in Michigan will host the Jeans for Wishes campaign, benefitting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The organization grants wishes for children facing life-threatening illnesses.

The Bacyinskis will be at Old Navy, 47196 Michigan Ave. in Canton. Eric Bacyinski, who is deputy clerk for and secretary of the Board, said he got involved with the organization a few years ago, but he has volunteered for a number of community organizations.

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"I've always tried to include myself in charitable stuff," he said. While he has never had any friends or relatives involved with Make-A-Wish, he said he got involved because "the concept they strive for is really universal. And after two or three years, I'm very glad I did."

Last year, "Jeans for Wishes" raised about $25,000 in Michigan and $90,000 across Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. This year, the Old Navy regions have set a fundraising goal of $125,000.

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The Michigan group aims to fulfill these wishes:

  • Twelve-year-old Brendan, of Farmington, who has spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive neuromuscular disease: Atlantis Resort, the Bahamas
  • Four-year-old Christian, of Chesterfield, who has leukemia: Disney World
  • Five-year-old Lauren, of Kentwood, who has cardiomyopathy: Disney World
  • Five-year-old Ricquel, of Flint, who is in the end stages of kidney disease: Disney World
  • Fourteen-year-old Emma, of Dexter, who has melanoma: A modeling experience in New York.

For more information, visit the Make-A-Wish Michigan Web site.

Read about another Make-A-Wish volunteer on Canton Patch.


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