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SOS (Schools Offer Support)
SOS (Schools Offer Support) is a nonprofit service organization that provides volunteer services and limited financial support to families within our BPS community that are in need of support. SOS, formerly Seaholm Offers Support, was founded by a group of BPS parents in 2008 who wanted to work with students to build a stronger community through acts of kindness. Over the years SOS has been able to fund and support a vast array of community needs. Examples include:
- Annual $1,000 scholarships to college-bound seniors
- Thanksgiving grocery cards to dozens of families in need each year
- Holiday gift-giving to families in need each year
- Financial aid for those faced with sudden emergencies
- Leaf raking for area seniors
- Student-organized assistance for those unable to perform household chores
During this recent pandemic, many of our BPS families have been facing financial hardships. The generous donations to SOS from both individuals and groups has enabled SOS to provide $50 grocery gift cards 30-50 BPS families each week since mid March. SOS would love your support so they can continue to provide these gift cards weekly to the families in need. You can make a direct donation below or you can help support our fundraiser: SOS Miles for Meals Virtual 5K and 1Mile Run. If you are interested in getting involved in SOS, you can contact one of the SOS Board Officers.
SOS BOARD OFFICERS
Co-Presidents - Stephanie Showich and Amy Hochkammer
Vice President - Alicia Acey
Secretary - Pam Lucken
Treasurer - Beth Keifer
Founding member - Lisa Corey
Marketing - Amy Hochkammer
Communication – Open (keep in mind that Andee Gorbatoff is managing Social Media and will continue to help with this)
Fundraising -Open
Membership - Shannon Herbst
Kids SOS- Dave Eick, Suzanne O’Leary, Beth Keifer & Pam Lucken
CSO Liaison- Suzanne O’Leary
SOS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Thank you to all our participants! We hope, that despite the virtual nature of the event, you were able to connect with some friends, get outside, and enjoy a run or walk. With your participation, we were able to raise over $15,000. We cannot express our appreciation enough, and we hope to see everyone in person in 2021!
T-shirt and packet pick-up will be held on Saturday, October 24th from 12-2 pm at Gazelle Sports in downtown Birmingham and on Monday, October 26th from 5-7 pm at Seaholm High School's athletic entrance, near the football field, off of Cranbrook Road. T-shirts (guaranteed for those registered before October 15th) and awards will be distributed. Some bags will have extra prizes, so be sure to check through your entire bag! Please maintain a social distance during packet pick up and remember to wear your mask.
Congratulations to our winners!
Overall Female - Audrey DaDamio 17:26
Overall Male - Toland Corum 18:20
BPS Staff Fastest Female - Vera Pecaj
BPS Staff Fastest Male - Antonio Boggiano
Largest Team - Derby NJHS
Fastest Team - Pace Makers
Age Group Winners:
Ken Hall
Barb Roehling
John DaDamio
Phyllis Boland
Melissa Kosiba
Peter Frauenheim
Benjamin Thayer
Kristin Plumb
Ronan Tierney
Sophie Hanawalt
Seaholm High School Top Finishers:
Jack Seel
Anna Warnemuende
Michael Davies
Meghan Murray
Groves High School Top Finishers:
Jace Bishop
Megan Gusho
Aymeric Flaig
Sydney Jones
International Academy Top Finishers:
Claire Thomson
Berkshire Middle School Top Finishers:
Cooper Bishop
Vincent Betanzo
Mia Boland
Derby Middle School Top Finishers:
Krysta O'Donnell
Spencer Werner
Reese Frauenheim
Daniel Cockroft
Birmingham Covington School Top Finishers:
Henry Warnemuende
Cora Bogner
Rachel Goldstein
Beverly Elementary Top Finishers:
Taylor Finnerty
Bingham Farms Elementary Top Finishers:
Ellie Brinker
Greenfield Elementary Top Finishers:
Joshua Wiercinski
Lucy Langhorst
Harlan Elementary Top Finishers:
Charlie Dobrowitsky
Pierce Elementary Top Finishers:
Jane Murray
Sloane Bogner
Asher Boehm
Alex Tronel
Pembroke Elementary Top Finishers:
Kaia Heatherly
Easton Frauenheim
Luke Moran
Quarton Elementary Top Finishers:
Ginny Plumb
West Maple Elementary Top Finishers:
Addelyn Bishop
Thanks again to everyone who participated and donated. Because of you this event was a huge success and we will be able to help many people in our community.
SOS BoardDONATE TO SOS
Venmo to @SchoosOfferSupport
Checks can be made out to SOS and sent to SOS c/o Beth Kiefer at 1480 Pierce St. Birmingham 48009
A Tax-Wise Way to Support SOS
If you are over the age of 70 1/2, you can donate part of your IRA, up to $100,000, to a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, like SOS. For those already taking required minimum distributions from their IRA, this can be an ideal way to lower your taxable income".
For more information, contact Mike Schuchard at 586-295-2099.
Announcements:
Schools Offer Support (SOS) Announcement
Club SOS: Teaching Students that Community Matters
Club SOS meets monthly to plan activities in and around the Seaholm community.
Text @clubSOSal to 81010 to join Club SOS Remind group if lastname begins with A-L
Text @clubSOSmz to 81010 to join Club SOS Remind group if lastname begins with M-Z
Student leadership:
Co-President’s: Tori Beckeman and Grace Ordona
Co Vice-President's: Catherine Eick and Kate Kiefer
Secretary: Gabi Betanzos
Parent advisors:
Beth Kiefer
Dave Eick
Staff advisor:
Suzanne O'Leary
SOS Club selling wooden flowers at Seaholm Musical
Leaf Raking for NEXT Community members
SOS Holiday Gift Giving