From the Heart: A Friend of LSEM Shares How His Family Made a Difference

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From the Heart: A Friend of LSEM Shares How His Family Made a Difference

  • December 31, 2015
  • Posted by: LSEM
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Mike Ruzzin is like many other residents in suburban Detroit.  He and his wife live in a nice home near a golf course, and have been afforded many opportunities to travel and live a fulfilling life.  But all the frequent flier miles and trips to Europe don’t compare to the experience he had with an LSEM family this Christmas.  LSEM staff sat down with Mike on a snowy morning in January to hear about Mike calls a “life changing experience.”

Mike and his wife are no strangers to giving.  They annually contribute to his work’s “Angel Tree” during the Christmas season, and were often struck at what children would ask for on their Christmas list.  A few years ago, he decided to make his giving more personal, and through a service organization, connected with a family in Detroit to give a single mom and her children Christmas gifts and a holiday meal.  “We live out here , and don’t have much of an understanding of what it is like to live in need of the most basic things-housing, food and clothing.”

The joy Mike had from this experience ended up being a gift to him.  This year he searched for a giving opportunity similar to that Christmas spent connecting with the Detroit family.  In early December, he inquired at his childhood church, who weren’t aware of families who might have an unmet need.  That’s when he reached out to LSEM.

Mike’s family has a long history with LSEM.  His late mother, BJ, worked for LSEM for many years, and he enjoyed attending LSEM’s annual golf outings from time to time.  After a quick conversation with Mike, LSEM staff sprang into action to find a family that may need their spirits boosted at Christmas.  Linda Fritsch, LSEM’s administrative assistant for programs and services, was aware of a LSEM family whose son, Andrew, was recently diagnosed with cancer.  She reached out to the staff at Peace Warren to see if the family would be open to receiving Mike’s generosity.

Mike’s family has been touched by cancer, and he realizes the strain that illness can put on a family, both emotionally and financially.  He remembers how giving his mom always was, and now that she has passed, it was his turn to give back.  “Anything we can do to help a family with challenges should be second nature,” he remarked.  “It should come from the heart.”

As Mike recalled, he got a brief “wish list” of gifts from the family’s children.  He loved Andrew’s comment that he wasn’t too fond of his nickname, and wanted a new one : Ironman.  Mike knew exactly what he needed, which was an Avengers-themed Christmas!  After stocking up on gifts for Andrew and his siblings, the Ruzzins set about getting a real holiday meal to the family, including a ham, and all of the fixings.  Can’t forget the dessert and Christmas cookies!

At this point, Mike pulls out a copy of an email from the Andrew’s mom, Cherie Curtis.  The school had not yet revealed Mike’s identity, but did give her his email address so she could properly thank him. “You touched our family’s heart this Christmas and I wish you all the happiness for years to come,” the email said.  “You are truly a great person for what you have done.”

This experience has been life-changing for Mike, and he has made a friend in Andrew and the Curtis family.  He continues helping others in need and has found other opportunities to perform random acts of kindness and generosity.  But right now, he is eager for another date in the future:  5/1/15.

Why is this date so important?  “The New Avengers movie comes out,” Mike says with a gleam in his eye.