Merry Christmas! Must read............Barwis and staff

Submitted by mongoose0614 on

I didn't mark OT because IMO this type of stuff is never OT.  

I look back three years ago and I have witnessed a determined attempt to smear RR and staff since they arrived.  No matter what happens and no matter how you feel you must admit that this staff is beyond caring.  The work at Mott, the handling of DR with concussion symptoms, the discipline of Hagerup and the total class of how they have remained above the fray has impressed the heck out of me.

I encourage you to show your support.  Mike Barwis runs an event every year.  Drop him some dough and write a letter of support and encouragement.  This man will follow RR anywhere he goes.  Character does not follow someone who doesn't have it because that wouldn't be character.

Go Blue and Merry Christmas!

 

 

BarwisMethods is proud to organize and run a charity through Keystone Community Church called Athletic Angels. The charity is for elementary age children from impoverished neighborhoods in the Detriot Metro area. We conducted a similar charity in West Virginia for approximately 5 years with great success. 

During the holiday season, we will unite with as many children as financially possible at a local church. A small meal will be provided and children will be paired up with their Angels. Angels consist of professional football players and college football players from the University of Michigan. Children will then be transported via bus to a local Meijer store where they will be reunited with their Angels. The child and their Angel are allotted a specific amount of money to shop. Most of the items purchased are necessities like clothes, hats, shoes, shirts, underwear, socks, etc., and each child is allowed to also acquire 3 or 4 toys. This event is the single most rewarding portion of the year for everyone involved. There is nothing more important than touching the life of a small child, especially one in need. The glimmer and illumination in a little one’s eyes is the most wholesome light that graces this earth. 

The excitement and sincere appreciation that the children express is unimaginable. They are not elated to receive an X-Box or a remote control car, instead they are excited that someone cares. Someone cares enough to help clothe them. Someone cares enough to mentor them and provide a role model. Someone cares enough to offer love, consideration and assistance in a time of need. We at BarwisMethods feel this is the single most important thing a person can do. What better place to start than with a child, who because of your kindness, may pass it on to another at a later date. 

Those wishing to donate can send checks to:

Barwis Methods LLC,
2232 South Main Street #334,
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103.


Checks should be made out to Keystone Community Church. In the memo area, please writeBarwisMethods Athletic Angels. 100% of your donated money will go directly to the children. 

We thank you in advance for your love and support!!!
 
 

 

dennisblundon

December 20th, 2010 at 9:25 AM ^

Donation will be going out in the mail today. It's great to see them having such a positive effect on the community. Hey DB, you might want to factor this into your decision.

dennisblundon

December 20th, 2010 at 11:15 AM ^

No it is not part of the job I can assure you of that. I also have come to understand you clearly don't like RR, so no matter what they do it will not impress you. All charity work is commendable and goes above and beyond normal protocol. Do you hate RR because you had to intern at EMU? I could understand that.

Blue in Yarmouth

December 20th, 2010 at 2:25 PM ^

When  someone can even find a way to try and downplay something as selfless as this you know they are simply hell bent on hating RR. Frankly, I am getting a little tired of reading all of his anti-RR posts, and not just because I am a supporter (which I am0. But because he has nothing to back up any of his arguements.

StephenRKass

December 20th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^

While I think many people do this, it is great to see RR & Barwis actively involved in the community in this way. Thanks for bringing this to the Board's attention. This is consistent with other things we've already seen.

gobluesasquatch

December 20th, 2010 at 9:51 AM ^

Keep these kinds of things coming. It's always great to hear about what the athletic department staff are involved in (not just the football coaches) and the many different programs and community service opportunities that are out there. 

I'm still on the fence about RichRod and his staff's ability to win, but I commend them for being quality individuals and being involved in the community and being solid role models. I don't remember hearing about any of the staff getting DUI's or anything of that nature. 

Hail-Storm

December 20th, 2010 at 11:37 AM ^

1. The comment did not state anything about Harbaugh.  Just a general statement.

2. You are trying to downgrade the good things that the coaches are doing for charities as something that shouldn't count since other people do it too. 

Maybe you should ask yourself, when something like this is brought up, is it appropriate to try to downgrade their efforts. Was that really necessary?

Hail-Storm

December 20th, 2010 at 2:20 PM ^

had not heard that about Harbaugh. But, I think then, it is an valid point to make about a coach, as the MSM has brought up both Stonum and Grady's DUI's and RR's handling of their suspensions. We hold RR to a high standard to teach players the importance of not getting into these situations.  As a coach, not getting into these types of situations himself, (do as I say AND do) goes a long way in showing how to represent yourself and your school.  I'm glad we are reading an article about Barwis' charity instead.

Mitch Cumstein

December 20th, 2010 at 4:59 PM ^

There have been multiple Anti-Harbaugh posts focusing on his DUI, so its not a stretch to think that.   Although, apparently he has stopped drinking all together (saw that in a rebuttal post to said topic), so I don't know that it is as huge a negative as it was.

Eitherway,  I think its weak sauce to hate on a charity effort, even if the U is forcing his hand (which I doubt is the case anyway). 

Also, yes it is true that a lot of college coaches have charity efforts.  I think they should be proud of them and its a good thing.  The fact that other coaches have similar charitable causes shouldn't take away from this one a bit.

Eck Sentrik

December 20th, 2010 at 10:12 AM ^

I volunteer for a senior center in mid-Michigan and work on 5-6 events a year for them. Every December we have what's called Shop With a Hero. The kids get paired with a firefighter who takes them shopping at Meijer's. It's by far the most rewarding thing I do for them. I highly recommend donating to Barwis's event or finding another and help out.

 

Let's hear it for Meijer's as well. This is an awesome thing they do.

icactus

December 20th, 2010 at 4:58 PM ^

I dont think meijer deserves any kudos since barwis's group is paying for what they buy the kids. Meijer would do a lot better to donate those clothing items the kids pick out with their angel since they cost virtually nothing to make and are one of the highest markup items. Maybe they actually do discount some of the price but i havent found anything about Meijer doing that.

Barwis and the organizers/volunteers are the only ones who deserve a +1.

Eck Sentrik

December 20th, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^

I am personally involved with virtually the same program with Meijers. I assure you, they donate an amazing amount of product and service to ours and others around the state. I just emailed the director at the non-profit I mentioned. Here's the response:

"Sure people can donate and it serves to get that many more children involved but 99% of the program is donated by Meijers".

I obviously don't know the exact relationship between Meijars and the Barwis group but Meijers is a tremendous company that is displaying corporate citizenship that all should strive for. They are absolutely deserving of the credit I gave them.

Aequitas

December 20th, 2010 at 12:10 PM ^

I will definitely mailing something along when I get home from work this evening.

I'm as proud of stuff like this, the players support of Mott's, etc as any achievements on the field.

Blue in Seattle

December 20th, 2010 at 4:04 PM ^

I'm glad that this community has individuals in it who will take the time to post these things and offer their opinion on the topic.

I'm sad that even this post can be twisted by commentary into a discussion of a non-existent coaching search character battle.

But Solstice festivities are all about mixing the bitter with the sweet, knowing that if you can endure the bitter your hope for the sweet will be rewarded.  And hopefully shared to those who experience the bitter far too often.

Great Post and Post Title mongoose0614