February 9, 2000
'Lee' Flohe shows Service Above Self
Traverse City woman receives annual Rotary Club award
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
It's the unsung heroes that keep marching quietly along, unstoppable in their commitment.
Mary "Lee" Flohe is one of those heroes, doing and giving without needing any recognition to keep going. As the founder and manager of the Saint Vincent DePaul Society Council of Traverse Bay Area, Flohe stepped in nine years ago and did what she felt needed doing.
She saw a need in the community for more services providing clothing, furniture, toys and emergency financial help for impoverished area families. She created the council and thrift store to meet that need, building it from one small donation to a 10,000 square foot thrift store that serves nearly 10,000 people a year.
Recognizing her multitude of quiet contributions to others, the Traverse City Rotary Club gave her the Paul Harris Service Above Self Award last Thursday at their weekly dinner meeting at the Park Place Dome. Along with the award and medal she received, they donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundations in her name, money that will be used for educational and humanitarian projects.
"Lee is the female Father Fred in town, she takes care of a lot of people," said Ken Kleinrichert, a longtime friend and member of Rotary who nominated her for the award. "I just really admire all that she's done. She and her husband are the type of people who are there for anybody, they walk the walk and live the life of Christian people."
Members of the Rotary Club bestowed the award on the unsuspecting Flohe, who thought her husband was getting some sort of recognition. The Rotary Club has given 22 Service Above Self Awards in the past eight years, recognizing the quiet contributors who may otherwise go unnoticed. Named for one of the organization's founders, the award distinguishes outstanding service that goes above and beyond what is expected.
While she does not seek recognition for her work at the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, Flohe's works do not go unnoticed by the legions she helps. At last count, more than 200 people a week come to the Saint Vincent DePaul Thrift Store, stopping by either to shop for a bargain or ask for more help. Flohe meets personally with anyone who needs additional help, and the needs range from help with food and housing to paying bills and buying furniture or baby items.
Many people she sees have no where else to go. They may not be sick enough or poor enough to qualify for additional services. Or they may have used up the services they get for the month and still need a little more help. Oftentimes, people with no where else to go just stop by her office for a friendly word or a cup of coffee.
"We help the lonely and the forgotten," said Flohe, who is also a long-time foster parent, mothering 73 children for Child and Family Services over the years. "We really fall under a lot of categories and work with other agencies around the area to help people."
Flohe coordinates with the Father Fred Foundation and LOVE Inc. to fill gaps for these people. When Father Fred did not have something he needed for someone, he would call Flohe. She, in turn, called him for advice and help when needed.
One of her niches at Saint Vincent's has been to help adult women who have had surgery or an illness and who suddenly need some help. Although the interruption in their earnings may be temporary, many of these women are often single and don't know where to turn for help paying bills or buying groceries or clothes. Flohe is there to help them.
"I have it in my heart: give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked," Flohe said. "That has been my mission since I was 20 years old. I saw a need in the community and when the opportunity came up to start Saint Vincent's I reached for the stars."