“When a family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, people find it impossible to draw upon their own organizational skills. They know they have to do something, but they don’t know how to go about doing it. I act as an administrator and a coordinator,” says Phaup. Over the last two decades, Phaup has raised over $2 million, one bowl-a-thon, golf tournament, and pasta dinner at a time, in order to help fulfill hundreds of last wishes.

Phaup is one of 10 finalists for the Good Neighbor Awards, a grant program recognizing REALTORSŪ who make exceptional volunteer contributions to their communities. Each week, until the five winners are announced in November, we’ll bring you the story of one of these finalists.

Phaup credits her mother for her super organizational skills: “My mother influenced me. When I was four, she showed me how to make a business plan and how to set goals.” She also holds a degree in economics and business administration from Kalmazoo College that helped prepare her for administrating fundraisers. Over time, her philanthropy has increased by helping patients with catastrophic illnesses that range from brain cancer to tumors, melanoma, and liver cancer. ““It’s a shame that people die because they can’t afford the treatment that they need,” says Phaup, who is motivated simply by the desire to help people. Her only condition for assisting is that the family and friends of the patient get involved as well.

When Susan Welker’s nephew, David, was diagnosed with leukemia at age 24, she reached out to Phaup. “Michelle met with my family weekly to help us organize what turned out to be a very successful fundraiser. It wasn’t just the money that helped our family and David. Michelle was willing to help when our world was turned upside down.”

Making A Plan

After a dozen or so bowl-a-thons, Phaup began writing detailed plans for how to organize such events. One of her most memorable fundraisers started with a call from a mother of twin boys who both needed an organ transplant. They decided to host a planning meeting after church. Phaup drove an hour north with 12 copies of her agenda. She walked into the service and quietly waited until it was over so that the 500 attendees could empty out. “I asked the person next to me when the service would be over, and she said it was. The massive crowd had all gathered to help raise money for the twin boys. I was emotionally overwhelmed.” They raised more than $85,000 for the twin boys who were successfully operated on.

For years Phaup continued to lend a hand until she received a letter from the IRS in 2001 explaining that the recipients of the funds would need to pay taxes. Disheartened by the threat of recipients losing part of the funds they so needed, Phaup sprung into action and founded Lend A Helping Hand as a 501(c)3 in 2003, which today operates as an all volunteer organization.

“Formalizing the organization only made me more committed to helping. I’ve always helped someone.” Today, Phaup along with her team, are able to fundraise for at least 10 candidates at a time. People with life threatening illnesses can apply through the Web site to involve Phaup in a bowl-a-thon, golf outing, dinner, walkathon, motorcycle rally, or concert. Her record is $125,000 raised at a single event and all proceeds must go to help cover uninsured medical costs.

Encouraging Others to Lend A Hand

Phaup also pens a weekly column for the Clarkston News to inspire readers to make charitable contributions. Recently she wrote about how the cost of two mochas in the U.S. can support orphans for one day or provide a one-month’s supply of HIV/AIDS medication in Africa. The column has generated a large response for the small town and she hopes it has made the citizens more philanthropic.

Phaup is a true animal lover as well and works with Canine Companion Rescue Center to find homes for dogs. Previously, she’d visit the shelter a few times a year, and take home every puppy they had. “I’d take every one, because every time I’d go, I couldn’t look into one dog’s eyes and say you’re going to be saved and look at another say you’re not.” Now she serves as a foster mom for the dogs as needed. For all of her community service, the Clarkston Rotary Club inducted Phaup as their first female member in 1995.

Ultimately, Phaup would like to see Lend A Helping Hand go national. She recently launched chapters in Traverse City, Mich., and Jackson Hole, Wyo. She’s also been working on a book that outlines different plans for hosting successful fundraisers. She hopes to see copies in hospitals, medical centers, and libraries, so that while families wait for their loved ones they can plan fundraisers. In the meantime, Phaup continues to raise millions of dollars, one bowl-a-thon at a time.

Of the 10 Good Neighbor finalists, five winners will receive $10,000 grants for their community projects and will be honored at the REALTORSŪ Conference & Expo in San Diego on November 14. The remaining five finalists will receive $2,500 grants for their cause. To learn about the other finalists, go to REALTOR.org/GNA.

The Good Neighbor Awards is supported by eNeighborhoods, Homes.com, Lowe’s, and HouseLogic.

-- Katherine Tarbox

For more information visit www.lendahelpinghand.orgor contact Phaup at michelle@lendahelpinghand.org.