community
THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2010 Page C-4
Generous donations help
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries
continue to rebuild Detroit, Highland Park
“DAYS OF OUR LIVES” star Shawn Christian (left); an Art Van Furniture employee; Gary Van Elslander, chairman and president of
the Art Van corporation; Nadia Bjorlin, “Days of Our Lives” star; and a second Art Van Furniture employee. – Oxygen photos
By LaToya A. Henry
T
he Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) is in the
business of rebuilding the urban center one person at a
time. The help they provide is invaluable to the metro-
politan Detroit community. Their services to the poor,
needy, homeless, disadvantaged and abused are life-chang-
ing. The help DRMM is able to offer to those in need isn’t just
a temporary fix. The work they do is supported by very gener-
ous donors who don’t just give money, they also give time.
It was fitting that on a day that Americans celebrate the life
and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that DRMM received a
donation from Art Van Furniture. The corporation donated 50
brand new mattress sets, bed frames, dressers, night stands,
bedding and toiletries to DRMM Genesis House III, which pro-
vides temporary and transitional housing for women and chil-
dren. Aditionally, Absopure donated $1600 for quilts.
“It is the smallest things that can make such a difference,”
said Diane Charles, director of Corporate Communications, Art
Van Furniture. “Art Van is humbled to make this donation.”
“The primary vision from our president, Dr. Chad Audi, is
that we equip our clients, everyone who comes through those
doors, to make it possible for them to be productive citizens,”
said Barbara Willis, chief operations officer, DRMM. “Art Van
has been working with us for years. They are one of our unsung
heroes.”
In addition to the donation by Art Van, the residents of
Genesis House III received another treat when they were vis-
ited for a second time by actors Shawn Christian and Nadia
Bjorlin who portray Dr. Daniel Jonas and Chloe Lane on the NBC
daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.” Christian and Bjorlin paid
a visit to women and children of Genesis House III last Novem-
ber and were so overwhelmed that they pledged to not only
come back but to help as well. They made appearances at
various Art Van stores in metropolitan Detroit to bring aware-
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