[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 20 (Tuesday, March 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 TO PAY TRIBUTE TO FLORENCE KLEIN, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF THE HELPING 
                            HAND THRIFT SHOP

                                 ______


                          HON. WILLIAM D. FORD

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 1994

  Mr. FORD of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Florence Klein, the founder and director of the Helping Hand Thrift 
Shop in Romulus, MI. She has dedicated her life to serving those who 
are struggling to meet their basic needs.
  For 30 years Ms. Klein has worked tirelessly to provide needy 
families and individuals with free food and clothing. The Helping Hand 
Thrift Shop, that she founded, was born out of the tragic car accident 
of her younger brother. After learning that the other accident victims 
were in need of financial help, Ms. Klein held a rummage sale to raise 
money for them. The money she sent was returned with a note indicating 
that it was not needed, so Ms. Klein donated the money to the St. 
Vincent DePaul Society. Due to the success of her first sale, the St. 
Vincent DePaul Society requested that she hold another one. The second 
sale was held at St. Mary's Church in Wayne. After seeing so many 
people in need of an inexpensive place to find clothing, Ms. Klein 
decided to open the Helping Hand Thrift Shop in Romulus which is 
located at 67915 Huron River Road.
  Florence Klein understands first hand the types of services needed by 
the poor in her community. Her mother passed away when she was 16, 
leaving her father to raise nine children on his own. This experience 
has given her unique insight into the concerns of those she serves. She 
understands that the people who come to her are often in need of social 
services beyond that which the Helping Hand Thrift Shop provides. 
Through Ms. Klein's efforts, people are referred to appropriate 
agencies for the additional services they need. She works with a 
variety of people in her community including ministers, teachers, and 
social workers to make sure people's needs are being met.
  Beyond her full-time volunteer commitment at the Helping Hand Thrift 
Shop, Florence Klein has given her time to the Michigan Cancer 
Foundation and the Red Cross. She also volunteered with Operation 
Summer Time which provided teens with summer jobs in which they worked 
to renovate Hill Creek School and clean up the Elmer Johnson and 
Cordell Parks.
  Recently, Ms. Klein was chosen by the Greater Romulus Chamber of 
Commerce as the 14th Annual Romulus Person of the Year. Too often, 
those who quietly give their time to others are overlooked or even 
taken for granted. Certainly, those who volunteer never expect to be 
singled out for recognition, yet, their efforts undoubtedly benefit the 
individuals they serve as well as their communities as a whole. Ms. 
Klein has truly earned the distinction that Romulus has granted her.

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