Hero Story

Noel is my husband and during the pandemic lockdown, he served as District Governor for D6400 of Rotary International. He is also a member of Trenton Rotary and the President and Founder of Downriver Youth Performing Arts Center, founded in 1998. Both of these entities were severely affected by the pandemic, and during this period he remained optimistic and worked very hard to keep all of the events safe, protecting all from Covid exposures. This was not always the popular decision to be made, but he did not worry about his personal experience, just those of the participants in both organizations. He researched, studied, and called entities to find the most appropriate and correct processes to keep all safe. He was a role model for safe protocols and worked so hard to protect all. You will find him early in the morning or late at night, fogging the theatre to protect our young people and out in front of the theatre handing out masks to those who need them. He was willing to take the heat for his decisions, which were guided by the CDC, MIOSHA, and the health department, as well as government regulations. Additionally, he successfully coordinated from afar the addition of a dental clinic in Fosu, Ghana, utilizing Zoom and phone to communicate with all parties concerned. What should have been an in-person experience turned virtual and the completion of a $160,000 renovation in Ghana is nearing completion which will serve 200,000 people who lacked access to state-of-the-art dental education and services. This was all accomplished through donations and grants and tireless hours invested. He never gave up!