Home Fridge Advantage

2021 Winners

Winner #1 – Lucia

Lucia is a mother of two and dedicated college student working to complete her associate degree before furthering her education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Lucia’s current residence didn’t come with a refrigerator, forcing her to purchase a mini fridge which barely gives her enough room to store milk for her newborn.

Forward Pass: Detroit Edison Public School Academy

Winner #2 – Erica

Erica is the founder and director of the Westside Cultural and Athletic Club. W.C.A.C. is a nonprofit that engages children, teens and senior citizens in educational sessions, athletics, mentoring, community service and so much more.

Erica’s home serves as a haven for the community. Her current 50-year-old refrigerator holds her own groceries as well as snacks for W.C.A.C. programs. The door must be propped shut with a chair to stay closed and pots catch leaking water inside the appliance.

She has devoted her life to serving Detroit’s west side.

Forward Pass: River Rouge School District

Winner #3 – Andrew

Andrew works long hours delivering packages, during the pandemic, sacrificing his own health to deliver orders to those that were in lockdown.

With a little one recently joining their family, a larger appliance that could keep their #UndeniablyDairy and groceries at a safe temperature was more than deserved!

Forward Pass: Howell High School

Winner #4 – Oralia

Oralia was nominated by her daughter Monique who shared how her mom always puts her own needs aside to take care of everyone else. Oralia has been caring for her husband who was recently diagnosed with cancer and for her other daughter recovering after an infection led to an 11-day induced coma.

Oralia also works at Advent House Ministries, a homeless and food shelter, that assist people out of poverty.

Forward Pass: Advent House Ministries

Winner #5 – Fran

Fran and his family are lovers of everything dairy but have had limited refrigeration to safely store it in. The door of his 40-year-old appliance fell off and has leaked cold air since reattaching. The family has also gone without a freezer for quite some time, limiting what they are able to purchase at the grocery store.

As an essential worker and fantastic dad to four kids (pictured), Fran is more than deserving of a new refrigerator stocked with #UndeniablyDairy and groceries!

Forward Pass: Ferry Elementary School

Winner #6 – Lindsey

Lindsey and her husband Tom are hardworking parents of four. With health and job setbacks, along with a storm that caused damage to their home and car, they continue to persevere through the hardships.

The couple is more than deserving of a new refrigerator instead of repairing their dated appliance.

Forward Pass: St. Therese Catholic School

Winner #7 – Allison

Allison and her husband’s refrigerator was more than 25 years old. With a 19-month-old son, a baby on the way, a house payment and student loans, replacing it was just out of the question right now. “Winning this new refrigerator has been such a relief for us,” said Allison. “We didn’t know how much time we had left before our refrigerator would completely go out. We are so grateful.”

Allison and her husband are not strangers to the dairy community either. In addition to his full-time job, Mick has worked part-time on a dairy farm in Dorr since high school.

Forward Pass: Thornapple Kellogg High School 

Winner #8 – Taylor

Taylor and his family lost their farmhouse to a fire in April of 2021. While his family was safe, everything inside the home was a complete loss. Taylor is known to always lend a helping hand to others.

His fiancé and nominator Catherine, Michigan’s dairy farmers, Kroger and the Detroit Lions all agreed Taylor was more than deserving of a surprise. A new refrigerator stocked with #UndenibalyDairy and groceries for his soon-to-be built home hopefully eases a worry during this time of uncertainty.

2020 Winners

Winner #1 – Alia

Alia is a paraprofessional at Early Childhood Elementary school in Hamtramck! She was nominated by Janice, a fellow teacher and colleague who understands the many challenges Alia has faced with resilience. Alia is a single mom with four children in school and recently was able to purchase her first home which unfortunately has barely functioning appliances. In addition to working in her current job she is going back to school for a degree in medical technology. This hardworking mom needed an advantage as she continually tackles obstacles that come with supporting herself and the many needs of her family.

Forward Pass: Early Childhood Elementary Hamtramck

Winner #2 – Mrs. McFarland

Mrs. McFarland is a hardworking mom of three from Detroit! She was nominated by her colleague Brandi who has watched Mrs. McFarland fight to provide for her family. Not a stranger to homelessness herself, Mrs. McFarland makes coats for others less fortunate in her community. After successfully locating stable housing after three years, all while working and caring for her children, she was in need of a refrigerator that would keep food cold. This mom continues to fight to overcome obstacles all while helping others before herself.

Forward Pass: Bless Helping Hands, Inc.

Winner #3- Louis

Louis is a Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and melanoma fighter from Ubly. He has continued to persevere through surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and immune-therapy treatments since September 2015. A hardworking and loving father as well, Louis recently found out that his current refrigerator was on the fritz.

Forward Pass: Cass City Elementary School and Highland Pines Schools

Winner #4 – Noelle

Noelle is from Grand Rapids and works for a non-profit that supports people living in the city. Not only does she help people in her neighborhood on a daily basis, she does life with them! As a single parent, Noelle works hard to provide for her three adopted girls and is loving “grandma” to so many more. Noelle is a light in her community, always feeding and helping everyone who walks through her door.

Forward Pass: Potter’s House High School

Winner #5 – Helena

Helena is from Cass City. This mother of three is a constant for her family, providing a loving home to two nieces as well. She was nominated by her longtime friend Samantha who added, “Helena continues to triumph over the many obstacles life hands her. She is the true definition of selfless and dependable. This prize is so well deserved.” Helena was recently able to purchase her first home and has been trying to keep her groceries cold with a broken refrigerator with no freezer.

Forward Pass: Unionville-Sebewaing Elementary School

Winner #6 – Ameenah

Ameenah from Highland Park was nominated by her mother Adeeba. Ameenah is a part-time University of Detroit Mercy nursing student and is expecting her first child. She also worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant earlier this year at a local nursing home, caring for those isolated and battling COVID-19. Unfortunately her refrigerator leaks water and no longer keeps food at a safe temperature, much of it spoiling quickly. “I nominated Ameenah because she always cares for others and it is her turn to receive help,” said Adeeba. “This new refrigerator is a glimmer of excitement during this exceptionally tough year and is one less worry for her before the baby arrives.”

Forward Pass: Destined for Greatness Mentoring

Winner #7 – Danielle

Our seventh winner of the Home Fridge Advantage is Danielle from Dodgeville. This Yooper was nominated by her sister Ashlyn, who admires Danielle for optimistically managing the struggles and the pandemic while pregnant with her 4th child. The two selected Houghton Elementary school, where their kids attend, for their “Forward Pass.” The school will be replacing their 29-year old cooler to make sure students have ice cold milk every day.

Forward Pass: Houghton Elementary School

Winner #8 – Brenda