By: W Kemp

Arts and Scraps has been named one of the 16 “Green Leaders” statewide by the Detroit Free Press. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day this month, Quicken Loans team members and their guests learned firsthand why Arts & Scraps were given such a GREEN honor. Working in the Arts & Scraps warehouse, team members prepared art kits for special events and children with items that were donated and recycled.

Packets included everything that is needed to let a child’s imagination run wild and create something interesting….like cool CD People with hair made from shredded paper, the toe area of socks (yep, you read correctly) as legs, and used raffle tickets to add flare. How many times have we thrown away used raffle tickets after an event? Well, not anymore. All the items in the art kit require no gluing or scissors. This makes for easy clean up and projects can be done anywhere since everything needed is in the bag.

Arts & Scraps works with more than 250,000 children a year and recycles 28 tons of donated products. The Community DIFF Makers did a fantastic job sorting, packing, and laughing at our visit with Arts & Scraps. Team member Megan LaFave, from the FOCUS team, said “this is the best volunteer event ever, I would totally come back”.

Quicken Loans and our family of companies congratulates Arts & Scraps on being soooo GREEN! If you would like to learn more about Arts & Scraps check out their website at where there is fun for all ages.

By: Rebecca Carter

Bob Lutz of General Motors speaks to guests at the Bow Wow Brunch about the importance of neutering cats to keep a healthy population.

Every year Quicken Loans sponsors a table at the annual Bow Wow Brunch- a charity event that benefits the Michigan Humane Society. This weekend was their 21st annual brunch - held at the Ritz Carleton in Dearborn - and I was honored to represent the company, along with several others, for a cause that is close to my heart. Several local personalities were on hand to lend their fund-raising celebrity to the function, while silent and live auctions also raised money for the nonprofit. Especially enticing for the pet lovers in attendance were the sweet kittens and pups that graced the foyer, auditioning for new homes.

The auctions featured items donated by local businesses, craftspeople, and artists, as well as some specialty experiences, such a private breakfast with the giraffes in the Detroit Zoo, and also a thrilling ride with GM's Vice Chairman Bob Lutz aboard his private J-39 Soviet jet.

I have a dog from MHS, who was surrendered to the Huron Valley branch at the age of 3 weeks, barely responsive and suffering from dehydration, malnutrition, and urine burns on his paws from unclean conditions. A foster care provider working with the shelter nursed him back to health with lots of care and attention from her family. When I took him home at 9 weeks, he was happy and healthy and loving, and instantly fit right in with my other pets. He's been a loved and valued member of my household ever since. Because of him - and because every animal in my home was once in the care of a Humane Society - I feel indebted to MHS. I was very happy to be able to attend and contribute, and was very pleased with what I heard during presentations at the brunch.

While recently volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Detroit, members of the Quicken Loans Information Technology team saw a need and went to work to come up with a solution.

The Ronald McDonald House accommodates more than 1,000 families per year to provide a home-away-from-home atmosphere to support parents and family members with hospitalized children. During the families’ time at the house, it is vital for them to be able to communicate with their loved ones, keeping them up-to-date with important news about their children.

At the Detroit house, there was only one computer that was stationed in a room shared with exercise equipment. Our Quicken team members thought it would be great if the house not only had at least one more computer, but also the capability to have a wireless system that could be used in all different areas throughout the house. 

Last week, our team members delivered two ready-to-use, wireless computers, set up on mobile carts to the house. According to Jennifer Litomisky, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities for Southeast Michigan, "The families of Ronald McDonald House of Detroit now have complete access to the Internet, to stay in touch with family and loved ones, through the donation of the 'computers on wheels' donated by Quicken Loans. It's one of the most thoughtful gifts our House has received - giving families and children the ability to stay in touch through difficult moments. Thank you Quicken Loans!"

The staff at Ronald McDonald House was so excited and grateful to receive the computers, and greeted our Quicken Loans team members with big hugs. It was a fantastic way to start the day!