FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact:
Molly Day (517) 482-1315
Kevin Zywiol (248) 855-6777
Ele’s Place Receives $10,000 Grant
through the Walmart Foundation
Lansing, Mich., January 30, 2012 – Ele’s Place, a healing center for grieving children,has received a $10,000 grant through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program. The funds will provide support forEle’s Place children’s grief programs in Lansing and Ann Arbor. Families from 16 counties in Michigan bring their children to weekly peer grief support groups to help them learn to cope with the death or life-threatening illness of a parent, sibling, grandparent or other loved one. In addition, both locations offer grief support groups in partnership with local schools to reach children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend the on-site groups.
“We truly appreciate the generosity of the Walmart Foundation and their willingness to help support and educate the community about our programs,” said Ele’s Place President & CEO Laurie Baumer. “Since Ele’s Place does not charge for any of our services, we rely on financial support from our communities and from businesses and foundations such as the Walmart Foundation to cover the expenses associated with operating our programs.”
Founded in 1991, Ele’s Place provides grief support to children and families who have experienced the death or life-threatening illness of a loved one. Each week, approximately 350 grieving children, ages 3-18, plus their family members attend peer support groups in both Lansing and Ann Arbor locations. In addition, Ele’s Place serves as a resource and referral agency for health-care providers, schools, community organizations, or anyone seeking to help grieving families. All services are provided free of charge. For more information, visit
“The Walmart Foundation is very pleased to be supporting Ele’s Place, and is committed to helping those in need in the communities where we serve,” said Michael Collischan, Regional General Manager. “Through this grant, we are hopeful that residents in the state of Michigan will continue to have peer support group programs at no cost for their children who are grieving the death or life-threatening illness of a parent, sibling or other loved one.”
The contribution to Ele’s Place was made possible through the Walmart Foundation’s MichiganState Giving Program. Through this program, the Walmart Foundation supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.Last year in Michigan,Walmart, Sam’s Club locations and the Walmart Foundation awarded more than $20.6 million to local organizations. To learn more about the Walmart Foundation and its initiatives to improve the lives of people around the globe, visit
Lansing-Eastwood Walmart Store manager David Fisher presents check on Friday, January 20, 2012 to Ele’s Place Director of Marketing and Development, Molly Day, and Ele’s Place President and CEO, Laurie Baumer.
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