Monthly Archives

February 2017

Michael & Son – Taking it to the Streets!

February 27, 2017
Michael & Son
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It was a busy week for the community focused team members at Michael & Son! Check out two these two great events!

 

Richmond

Team members from Michael & Son Services headed to the James River bike trail and gave it a make over! The team picked up ten bags of trash, helping to keep one of our national treasures looking its best. Check out the pics!

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Baltimore

The community out reach didn’t end there; our Baltimore team was out in full force helping out a great cause. Our team members joined together with local volunteers to make over 100 sandwiches for various organizations and churches to be distributed to those in need! Check out the pics!

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Be sure to check in with us weekly for more great community coverage and events! Also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube page!

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The Tale of Two HVAC Systems

February 22, 2017
Michael & Son
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Michael & Son is back this weekend with another episode of Helping Hands. This week, we meet a family in the making and a couple whose strong bond of over 40 years carried them through an unimaginable tragedy. On a rainy night in Madonna Maryland, Delano Draine was making his way home to his wife. Delano was full of optimism; he was 6 days from retirement and ready for some long overdue relaxation. A hard working man since a young age, Delano spent years in the military and then settled into a job as a corrections officer. The hours were long, the work was dangerous and the stress was tolling; Delano was glad to be done with it. As Delano weaved down the wet and winding road he had no idea his life was about to change forever. Out of nowhere, a deer appeared in the middle of the road, Delano swerved to avoid it and everything went black.

When Delano opened his eyes he was upside down inside is car. He felt a tremendous amount of pain but was still able to fish his phone out of his pocket. His first call was to 9-11 and the second was the hardest call he’s ever had to make. Forty minutes away from where Delano lay suspended in his car, Shelley, his wife, was preparing a late dinner for two. Around 9:15 pm, Shelley received a phone call that left her pale and trembling. The voice on the other end was her husband, he was badly hurt and being rushed to the hospital. Shelley grabbed her bag and raced out the door; she knew it was serious but she had no idea Delano would never walk again.

Delano had nearly severed his spine and there was no hope for recovery, he would require a lifetime of around the clock care. Because the VA and other government agencies could not or would not provide him with the care he needed, Shelley was forced into early retirement and began the painful vocation of caring for a suffering loved one. Because of the ever mounting medical bills, the Draine’s were unable to afford home repairs that were essential to Delano’s well-being. One of those repairs was to the homes furnace, and as the winter grew colder, it became critical that the family had a reliable heating system. That’s when The Michael & Son Cares Program stepped in.

 

 

Not too far from the Draine home, Brandi Boxely nervously sat in her cold living room huddled next to a space heater. She could feel her baby kick and every thrust of her tiny feet was like the tick of a clock; Brandi was just weeks away from delivering her baby and her home had no heat. Prior to her pregnancy, Brandi was involved in a serious car accident that left her temporarily disabled and unable to work. With her extended stay at the local hospital over with, Brandi was excited to return home. As she stepped through her front door, she ran into a wall of heat.

While Brandi was recovering in a hospital bed, her HVAC system was in its death throes. After finding out she was pregnant, Brandi set out on a mission to repair or replace her HVAC system. Being out of work and unable to pay her bills left Brandi deeply in debt. As a result, she was not qualified for financing and none of the HVAC contractors in her area were willing to take payments. One Sunday morning, Brandi happened upon “Helping Hands” on NBC. She took down the number at the end of the show and decided to take one last shot at getting assistance..

Want to find out what happens next? Tune into Helping Hands on NBC, Saturday at 7:00 pm. Also, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube page to find out about upcoming episodes, special events and much more!

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Michael & Son Community Round Up

February 18, 2017
Michael & Son
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Michael and Son Services Community Round Up

Michael & Son Services is ever-present in the community. Whether we are assisting families through our Cares Program or pitching in to help a great cause, our employees love to give back whenever they can. We’ve got some exciting events coming up and want to invite all our family and friends to join us! Check out the schedule below –

Monday, February 20th Presidents Day Parade – Join us for the Old Town Alexandria Presidents Day Parade! Michael & Son will be on the parade route, passing out hats, t-shirts and coloring books. We’ll look for you in the crowd! (D.C. / V.A.)

February 15 – February 28th NOLA Tornado Relief – Michael & Son is teaming up with The Second Harvest Food Bank and Bayou Bakery to help collect food for victims of the NOLA tornado. Michael & Son food drops have been set up at the Bayou Bakery locations in Arlington V.A. and D.C. locations. Visit the Second Harvestwebsite to find out what items are needed. (D.C. / V.A.)

Saturday, March 4th Lifting The Silence Gala – Michael & Son Services is a proud supporter of Lifting the Silence Brain Injury Services and will be joining them for their annual gala at the John Marshall Ballroom. If you are looking for a great organization to support, visit the Lifting the Silence website. (Richmond, V.A.)

Saturday, April 1st Ben’s Run – Want to get in shape while supporting a worthy cause? Dust off your running shoes and join us for the Ben’s Run to benefit children with blood disorders. Visit Ben’s Run’s website for more information.

Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more information on these and upcoming events. We hope to see you out there!

 

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Three Rare Conditions Meet – Bone Cancer, Gene Mutations and A Company Who Cares

February 13, 2017
Michael & Son
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This week on Helping Hands we meet Ben Schust and Betty Parker, two remarkable people with touching stories.

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If someone asked you what a SCN2A gene mutation is, you might reply with a blank stare. You wouldn’t be alone; the disorder continues to baffle researchers and medical professionals around the world. SCN2A gene mutations disrupt the brains regulation of the neuronal sodium channels. This disruption leads to epilepsy, autism, intellectual disabilities and developmental delays. The condition is rare and only effects a few thousand children in the US.

We at the Michael & Son Cares Program first came into contact with the disorder back in 2014 when we received a call from a family in Fredrick, Maryland who were in need of a new HVAC system. The Moore family’s twins, 1 year old Nico and Bebo, both suffered from the illnesses. Working with the Moore family gave us insight into not only the day to day difficulties of caring for a child with a rare disease but also the struggles faced by the family to provide their children with proper care.

Because they face so many challenges, the families of children with the SCN2A disorder stick together. Through the network FamiliesSCN2A, we were contacted by another family whose child suffered from the gene disorder. Like the Moore’s, the Schust family’s 5 year old son, Ben, carried the mutation and they too were in need of a new HVAC system.

Betty Parker had longed struggled with financial difficulties and when she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, Betty thought things could not get any worse. One cold fall morning as Betty was going about her normal, daily routine, she found there was no water coming out of her faucets. After a visit from a plumber, Betty learned her well pump had gone bad and the cost to repair it was more than she could afford. After months of living with no running water, Betty had lost all hope; until she discovered The Michael & Son Cares Program.

Want to find out what happened next? Click here to watch Helping Hands Episode 2. You can watch new Helping Hands episodes Saturdays at 7:00pm on NBC4. Also, check out the schedule below for upcoming air dates. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get updates on upcoming shows and watch full episodes of Helping Hands. 

Helping Hands TV Series Schedule:

Saturday Feb. 25th 7:00 pm

Saturday Mar. 4th 7:00 pm

Saturday Mar. 11th 7:00 pm
 
Saturday Mar. 25th 7:00 pm
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