This past weekend, I was honored to represent Gilda’s Club at the Detroit Red Wing For’em Club’s annual picnic. Veteran Gilda’s Club members, staff, and board members know what an incredible organization this is, annually raising more than five figures of contributions for Gilda’s Club from sales of raffle tickets that are available at club events year-round.    

     What you may not know is what great, dedicated people they truly are. I was welcomed at the picnic, where I had the chance to say hello and personally thank more than 100 members and their families. President Brian Bowerman ran the show, and the fund-raising prowess of Gil Greytok and Rick Flowers (pictured) – who have organized the raffle that raises all this money for Gilda’s Club – has been nothing short of incredible.  

     This organization has been together since 1949, and is one of the four charter organizations that founded the national NHL Booster Clubs in ’71. The For’em Club is an incredibly dedicated group of warm, friendly people who totally “get” what Gilda’s Club is all about.   You can go to their website to join their organization ( www.redwingforemclub.org ) and when you see them at Gilda’s Walk this fall at Lawrence Tech, please stop by, meet the For’em Club members, and thank them for everything they do to support us.    

     Gil and Rick are stepping aside as fundraisers after 11 years of incredible success.  Rita Florkey takes over from here, and with the help of Connie Page, I look forward to working with them and seeing everyone at this year’s Walk. Ther e are too many other wonderful people with Red Wings For’em to mention here, but we appreciate them all – their dedication and commitment to Gilda’s Club.  Make sure you say hello to them at the Walk and thank them for their selfless efforts.   And while you’re at it, buy some raffle tickets for next year.