NEWS RELEASE

Awards, Kohl's Fashion Show Highlight May 15 Caregiver Appreciation Day To Be Held In Troy

About 600 caregivers from Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, St. Clair, Genesee and Lapeer counties are expected to attend the 24th Annual Caregiver Appreciation Day to be held on Thursday, May 15, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the San Marino Club, 1685 East Big Beaver Road, Troy.

In an awards ceremony, caregivers will be honored who help people with disabilities living in homes and/or receiving work or vocational support assisted by the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Inc. (MORC), a nonprofit, human services agency.

Kohl’s of Rochester Hills and Troy are sponsoring the Kohl’s Caregiver Fashion Show that will feature caregivers and children and adults with disabilities.  Kohl’s is donating the clothes, and many Kohl’s employees are volunteering.

“We want to draw attention to the need for clothing for people with disabilities,” said Anne Marie Kalohn, general manager of Kohl’s in Rochester Hills and the host and narrator for the show.

Among the models who are anticipated to appear in the fashion show is a woman in her 80s who lived for over 40 years in a state institution for people with developmental disabilities.  Her caregiver will accompany her.  Another model will be a girl with a terminal illness who is defying the odds.  She will be accompanied by her mother.  Also modeling will be a man with a disability who attends a university.

The MORC Angels Among Us Awards are funded by a donor.  Each honoree will receive a large Lucite desktop award, a special jacket embroidered with his or her name and the words “MORC Caregiver Angel” and a check for $250.

Ten caregivers will be recognized for being extraordinary advocates, for going above and beyond the call of duty: Zach Cardinell, Clarkston; Teri Childress, Pontiac; Wendy Graham, Imlay City; Cathy Harmon, Flint; Bobby Hysell, South Lyon; Jolynn Jackson, Grand Blanc; Kerri Patterson, Highland; Ken Pond, Hazel Park; Karen Sutton, Casco; and Clayton Wickline, Grand Blanc.

Three MORC employees will also be honored with Angels Among Us Awards: Maureen McGurn, Commerce Township; Hildy Scholar, Oak Park; and Maria Trollman, Clarkston.

“The conference provides an opportunity for MORC and its contract providers to acknowledge the tireless work and efforts of caregivers,” said Gerald Provencal, MORC executive director.  “We appreciate Kohl’s sponsoring a fashion show this year.”

MORC supports over 4,000 people with disabilities living and working in the community and has offices located in Clinton Township and Auburn Hills.  For more information about MORC, visit its web site at www.morcinc.org.