LifeBUILDERS Detroit receives $10,000 from 100 Faithful Friends

Marilyn and Larry Johnson, founders of LifeBUILDERS Detroit Community Outreach, were surprised to receive a donation for $10,000 from 100 Faithful Friends of Rochester. 100 Faithful Friends is a charitable organization of individuals, couples and families started by Steve and Nancy Benedettini and Lana Doneth. Members meet four times a year to select either a charity or family in need to receive funds. At each meeting, three charities are presented and voted on by the members present. Terry White of Chesterfield, presented LifeBUILDERS Detroit at the meeting on December 8, 2015. By a majority vote, LifeBUILDERS won and was presented with individual checks of $100 by each of the 62 members and an additional check for $3800 by one generous Faithful Friend.

Ten years ago, Marilyn and Larry abandoned the retired life of golf and travel to respond to God’s call. They joined God in His mission of love, hope and restoration when they founded LifeBUILDERS Detroit. Their objectives are clear: empower the youth, reclaim the neighborhood and build ‘communitas’. Marilyn and Larry moved to the area known as Regent Park, Kelly Rd to Gratiot and 7 Mile Rd to 8 Mile Rd, from their home in Grosse Pointe to be a part of the community they serve. According to Marilyn, the most important goal is to share the gospel of Jesus with the children and families of the community. They share the gospel by becoming the hands and feet of Jesus to neighborhood families. They love and care for 200 of the 800 children in the area with after school programs, athletic and dance programs, as well as job help and summer programs. To date, they have purchased and renovated 30 homes and 16 apartment units to provide safe places to live, with a goal of restoring 150 homes by 2020. People living in Regent Park have expressed experiencing joy and a sense of belonging while coming together in unity for something greater.

Marilyn and Larry, “are so thankful to those who have chosen to be a part of this great organization and who are collectively making a great impact. We will utilize this gift to increase the impact of our ministry on the youth of our community by adding additional activities to our current programs and by providing youth retreat and overnight camping experiences this summer. We here as a community are grateful to God and 100 Faithful Friends for this HUGE gift. This gift will help transform the lives of so many as they experience even more of the love of Christ through these added events and activities.”

The next meeting of 100 Faithful Friends is Thursday, March 24, 2016 at 7:30pm in the Multi-purpose room of the Rochester Hills Public Library (located at 500 Olde Towne Road, Rochester, Michigan 48307).

If you would like more information about 100 Faithful Friends please go to the website at www.100faithfulfriends.org or, contact Steve and Nancy Benedettini at 248 608 8980 or email at nancybenedettini@gmail.com.