The Links, Inc. delivers on commitment to children of Flint

 
The Links, Incorporated Michigan Chapters Deliver On Commitment to Flint by Raising $100,000 to Support Children Affected by the Flint Water Crisis
DETROIT – This past weekend, nine Michigan Chapters of The Links, Incorporated, for the first time, joined forces and delivered on its promise to keep the Flint water crisis at the nation’s forefront. On Saturday during The Links, Incorporated Michigan Chapters Unite for Flint Kids concert and dance fundraiser, the organization announced that it raised $100,000 to support children who have been impacted by lead exposure due to the Flint water crisis. The event, held at the MotorCity Sound Board in Detroit, Michigan, was a resounding success as hundreds of The Links, Incorporated members, government officials, community leaders, and guests enjoyed the evening’s activities including a musical concert featuring Saxophonist Randy Scott, R&B Singer Millie Scott, Motown’s The Velvelettes and a headline performance by The Dramatics featuring Willie Ford.
 
“It is amazing what a group of dedicated and caring women with an idea can do,” says Barbara Whittaker, event chairperson, and member of The Links, Incorporated Oakland County (MI) Chapter. “I am so proud of the collective work put together by our Michigan Chapters of The Links, Incorporated to raise monies to help positively impact the lives of so many children in Flint. We thank everyone for their support of this worthy cause which we hope will help Flint kids to reach their full potential.”
 
Earlier this year, The Links, Incorporated Flint Area (MI) Chapter established the The Links, Incorporated Flint Area (MI) Chapter Flint Kids Matter Fund, which is a donor advised fund through the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. The fund will provide financial support for charitable purposes related to the much-needed services required of critical public health, medical, community-based and intervention programs that address and mitigate the short and long-term impacts experienced by many Flint children exposed to lead as a result of the ongoing Flint water crisis. All proceeds from this event will benefit transformational programs that support children impacted by the Flint water crisis through The Links Foundation, Incorporated.
 
“We are incredibly grateful for the compassion and leadership shown from the Flint Chapter,” said Rachel Decker, director of Philanthropic Services, and campaign director of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. “Your support will have a transformative effect on our community and our children. Flint still has a lot to do to overcome this tragedy, but we are resilient and knowing that we have partners like you make us incredibly hopeful. This contribution will ensure that the children of Flint will have a brighter future.”
 
To further highlight its commitment to Flint, The Links, Incorporated National President Glenda Newell-Harris, M.D., along with The Links, Incorporated Central Area Director Glenda Masingale-Manson earlier on Saturday traveled to Flint to tour the Hurley Medical Center’s Pediatric Clinic. Dr. Newell-Harris presented an additional $15,000 check donated by the national members to the Hurley Medical Center. Delrico Loyd, chairman of The Hurley Board of Managers, thanked The Links, Incorporated for their contribution during the evening program.
 
The Links, Incorporated celebrates 70 years as a premier international women’s volunteer service organization committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The organization has more than 14,000 members in 283 chapters in 41 states, District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
 
The nine Michigan Chapters of The Links, Incorporated that participated in the fundraising efforts were: Ann Arbor (MI) Chapter; Detroit (MI) Chapter; Flint Area (MI) Chapter; Great Lakes (MI) Chapter; Greater Wayne (MI) Chapter; Lansing/East Lansing (MI) Chapter; Oakland County (MI) Chapter; Renaissance (MI) Chapter, and Tri-City (MI) Chapter.
 
Presenting Sponsors were Lear Corporation and Toyota Motor North America. Other sponsors included: AVL Americas, BW Limited, Faurecia, JMA Global, LLC, MotorCity Casino & Hotel, Rogers Chevrolet, St. Johns Providence/Ascension, and Yazaki North America, as well as many donors and contributors.
The Links, Incorporated, founded in 1946 by a circle of nine friends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, celebrates 70 years as a premier international women’s volunteer service organization committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. The organization has more than 14,000 members in 283 chapters in 41 states, District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. The members of The Links are influential decision makers and opinion leaders. With more than two million service hours recorded in the past three years, members regularly contribute more than 500,000 documented service hours in their respective communities annually. The Links Foundation, Incorporated, the philanthropic arm of The Links, Incorporated, has made more than $25 million in charitable contributions and is focused on creating transformational programming and impact­ing lives in communities of color through Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. For more information, please visit, www.linksinc.org.