Vote for Susan!

By Joel Thurtell

Susan Tompor is on the hustings.

She’s not running for office.

She’s trying to win five hundred bucks for a charity devoted to helping people with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Susan is the personal finance columnist at the Detroit Free Press.

Once upon a time I was a reporter at the Free Press and sat across from Susan.

We became good friends, so when her e-mail came requesting that I vote for her, I responded that I’d vote for her — early and often.

I did cast an on-line ballot for Susan, who’s listed at the bottom of a column of Free Press personalities topped by Editor Paul Anger.

Now, the 13 Free Press people running in this election are all good people.

And the charities they’re representing all are worthy causes.

But Susan’s cause — Sheltering Arms — provides a service that really means something to me. Sheltering Arms provides day care for people with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or other memory problems.

This is a good thing for people with Alzheimer’s, and it’s a good thing for family members who need respite from caring for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s.

I know something about this. My late father-in-law had Alzheimer’s, and my late mother-in-law, sorry to say, was not aware of services like Sheltering Arms. She could have used some respite.

My dad also had Alzheimer’s. My mother found a service like Sheltering Arms, and it meant a lot to her that before his death last year, my dad was getting day care along with some activity while she was free to run errands and do household chores that became more and more difficult for her as my dad’s memory loss got worse.

Susan told me that with help provided by Sheltering Arms, “People are able to stay longer in their homes and with their families. Spouses and children are able to keep working, instead of trying to stay home full time. Sheltering Arms has locations in Southfield and Auburn Hills.”

She added:

The contest is free; you can enter as many times as you can on a computer. Age 18 and older; U.S. citizens. Gannett employees cannot enter. See other contest rules.”
Prize: Lunch with Susan and a chance to go back-to-school shopping or any budget help…Lunch is free; shopping is not.
The real prize: If Susan wins, $500 goes to Sheltering Arms, which is part of Catholic Social Services.

So please cast a vote for Susan — early and often.