Supporters help kids who have lost a mom or dad

BIRMINGHAM – Oakland County residents and businesses are on the forefront of helping children who have lost a parent. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that one in 20 children nationally will experience the death of a parent by the time they graduate from high school. However, nationally, there are very limited resources available to help children who have lost a parent.

In Michigan, Birmingham based nonprofit Yatooma’s Foundation for the Kids provides financial and emotional support for families who have lost one or both parents.

The foundation holds its annual fund-raising event — the fourth annual Champions for the Kids VIP Dinner/Auction and Golf Tournament — June 7 and 8. Last year’s event raised $650,000.

Longtime supporters include Bloomfield’s David Boyle, president of National City in Michigan and northwest Ohio, Bloomfield Hills Dr. Steven and Tara Grekin, and Novi’s Advanced Strategies Group President John Turcotte and Chairman Chris Christensen.

National City made a grant to the foundation in the amount of $15,000 to support the ongoing efforts of the foundation. The bank’s regional headquarters office is located in Troy.

“I can only imagine the impact of losing a mother or father at a young age,” Boyle said. “Helping them work through these struggles will ultimately make a positive difference in their lives. I am grateful for these efforts and honored to support such a great event.”

Advanced Strategies Group, Inc. became involved with the foundation when Turcotte joined the company in 2007.

Involvement in the foundation became very personal to Christensen because his sisterin-law was helped by the foundation. This year the company continues its support with a $25,000 contribution.

Steven Grekin, of the Grekin Skin Institute, and his wife, Tara, first began supporting the foundation after a chance encounter with Norman Yatooma in 2005 as two fathers in a “Mommy and Me” class. This year, they are event cochairs.

Over the past three years, supporters have helped raise nearly $1.5 million for the families supported by the organization.

Yatooma’s Foundation for the Kids was inspired by the hardship endured by Norman A. Yatooma and his family after the death his father, Manual S. Yatooma, who was murdered in 1993.

Norman Yatooma launched the nonprofit organization on Father’s Day in 2003.

To learn more, sponsor, register and donate, call (888) 987-KIDS or visit www.forthekidsfoundation.org.