Community Clicks

Bon secours: Martine Nothern comforts E.R. visitors.

PARIS — Martine Nothern has an extra large dose of compassion.

For six years, she has shared her goodwill with patients and family members as a volunteer with the Fondation Claude Pompidou, a non-profit organization established in 1970 to take care of people in hospitals, as well as the elderly and handicapped children.

Nothern, credit manager for Compuware, volunteers three hours Thursday evenings in Paris at the emergency department of the Lariboisiere hospital, one of the biggest emergency departments in France.

“When in the hospital, I spend most of the time in the waiting room and at the reception desk,” she said.”I comfort patients and their families; I help them with the medical process, since volunteers are a positive link between the patients and the medical staff.”

She added: “More important, I listen to the patients. I am a ‘human presence’ while they are waiting for several hours in a painful and stressful situation.”

For four years, Nothern also has been a team leader for volunteers in the emergency department. She trains new volunteers and manages the team of eight people.

The hospital appreciates her efforts.

“It is quite a pleasure to work with you and your team,” said Professor Patrick Plaisance, head of reception and treatment in the emergency department. “You have been very helpful to us, faithful, committed volunteer professionals.”

Nothern demonstrates her professionalism by her ability to empathize with particularly vulnerable patients.

“I have special moments when comforting young children who come with their injured or sick parents, and elderly patients who sometimes have complex problems,” she said. “Also of concern are patients who have addictions and more particularly their families, who very often feel disoriented and are pleased to find a volunteer who is available to listen to them for a few minutes.”

A smile and a thank you from the patients and families are gratifying, Nothern says.

“I feel especially helpful to society while caring for the patients and their families,” she said. “My volunteer time brings balance to my work time at Compuware, as well as my private life, while giving me a sense of fulfillment.”

Running buddies: Vesna Temelkovski, right, and Rachael Smith

Keeping the lights on is a challenge for many low-income people in Michigan.

But 30 Compuware employees participated in The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) Treadmill Challenge January 27 to help make a difference in their lives.

The event, held at the Wellness Center, helped raise money for Detroit-based THAW, a nonprofit which provides emergency energy assistance to those who cannot pay their utility bills and face a shut-off.

Compuware, in its fifth year participating, raised $7,344 for the organization.

“It is so nice that the Compuware employees are so supportive year after year,” said Rose Sarti, special events coordinator for THAW. “We don’t need to beg them to get involved; they just do it because they support the cause.”

Vesna Temelkovski, a financial analyst, ran on the treadmill for the fifth year and raised the most money among Compuware employees: $1,400.

“I have an amazing network of colleagues, family and friends who support me and the cause,” she said.

“Laura Fournier, the chief financial officer, is my biggest cheerleader, and she always makes a generous contribution for the organization.”

Participating in the Treadmill Challenge is rewarding for Temelkovski.

“Running is one of my passions,” she said. “I am able to blend my love of running with helping those who are struggling with their utilities. It makes me feel I’m able to help out…even just a little.”

Bob Jakes, a quality assurance analyst, celebrated his 65^th birthday by raising the second most funds: $1,210.

He “survived” a one hour bike ride to help those “who cannot afford paying their heating bills, which is very important in these economic times.”

Sarti emphasizes the precarious situation facing many impoverished people.
“There are many state and federal cuts that are taking place within the low-income community, so the need is growing,” she said. “Every dollar that comes into THAW helps the families that are in need.”

The Treadmill Challenge is an ancillary event to WWJ Newsradio 950′s 31-hour radiothon for THAW, which has raised $370,000 to date. The utility companies match dollar for dollar all monies raised, including funds collected in the Treadmill Challenge.

Ray Villalobos

For those with spinal cord injuries, the challenges can seem overwhelming.

But with proper physical therapy, many quadriplegics can grow beyond their obstacles and do everything they can to help themselves and others.

So says Ray Villalobos, Compuware program director for professional services, who serves on the board of the Mary & Charles A. Parkhill Foundation for Spinal Cord Rehabilitation in Bloomfield Hills.

The foundation helps injured individuals without the healthcare benefits or private resources required for ongoing therapy and exercise. The organization raises funds for patients to obtain vital physical therapy, and the hope that goes along with striving for and reaching goals.

Villalobos was inspired to help with the foundation by the dramatic story of Charlie Parkhill.

“Ten years ago, Charlie was a very successful CPA until he suffered a traumatic, life-altering injury,” Villalobos said. “While vacationing with his wife in Mexico, Charlie was hit by an ocean wave which broke his neck and left him a quadriplegic. He went from having everything to being washed up and paralyzed on a Mexican beach.

“But Charlie did not give up. He underwent aggressive therapy and is now able to walk 95 feet unassisted. And even though he has suffered a traumatic injury, he has helped a lot of people.”

Combined with donations, the foundation’s four annual “Bocce Palooza” fundraisers have raised $225,000. These funds have gone toward awarding 12 grants of $1,000 to $28,000 depending on individual need.

Villalobos has chaired the committee for the previous fundraisers, and is looking forward to “Bocce Palooza 5″ on February 18 at Palazzo di Bocci in Orion.

Bocce is an Italian game involving rolling metal or plastic balls. The fundraiser features a popular Bocce tournament , a silent auction, speakers ,as well as food and drink.

“The event takes up much of my time from October to February,” Villalobos said. “Since its inception, we have selected the Palazzo di Bocci because it is wheelchair accessible, and clients can play bocce without difficulty. Charlie is a speaker, as well as some grantees who discuss how their therapy scholarships have made a difference in their lives.

“We hope to raise $30,000 this year. Compuware has been helpful as a silver sponsor of the event and also for putting out a press release for us.”

Parkhill is very appreciative of Villalobos’ support of the foundation.

“I think the world of Ray,” Parkhill said. “He has such a big heart, and his project management skills in professional life serve him very well in doing these fundraisers. We simply could not have done these events without Ray.”

Moreover, Villalobos was elected to the foundation’s board in July 2011. He joins other board members in deciding how to spend the funds, who should get the grants and oversight of the foundation’s business.

His board activity includes programs that the organization decides to support. Recently, the foundation donated one thousand catheters to the University of Michigan hospital for spinal cord injury patients who couldn’t pay for them.

“Our goal is to give them hope,” Parkhill said. “Ray is such a great guy to help us in this effort.”