Sarah Suchovsky, chief operations officer, Trico Opportunities, Inc., left, and Joan Jouppi, Golden K chairperson. Suchovsky was the speaker at the meeting.

By Joan Jouppi

For The Daily News

The Fourth of July is the peak of summer. Family get togethers, marching bands, picnics and more. The Golden K senior group always begins with a pledge to the flag and singing “God Bless America.” This Monday they added a few extra patriotic songs to joyfully express the jubilance felt by being part of a patriotic community.

The songs “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” “America the Beautiful” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy” summed up the experience. The Welcome Song was sung for John Corson. Corson was a longtime member of Golden K before moving to Arizona five years ago. He has entertained the group on many past occasions with his international tales of adventure and intrigue. Happy Birthday was sung for Sue Proudfit. Joanne Hade was the lucky winner of the 50-50 drawing.

Sarah Suchovsky, chief operating officer from TRICO Opportunities, was the day’s guest speaker. TRICO began humbly back in 1968, in a church basement on Brown Street in Iron Mountain. Today the administrative office and recycling center are located at 610 N. Hooper St. in Kingsford. TRICO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves Dickinson, Iron, Florence and northern Marinette counties.

They currently serve approximately 150 individuals. The mission at TRICO is to assist persons with disabilities in maximizing their abilities and capabilities so as to become self-reliant and as self-supporting as possible. They focus on vocational rehabilitation and support services.

TRICO runs a recycling center at their facility on Hooper Street. They accept cardboard, newspaper, magazines, books and junk mail mixed paper free of charge. Office and confidential documents are also accepted and destroyed for a small fee. This operation provides training opportunities for the clients as well as being a benefit for the community. TRICO also works with local businesses to match workers and skills to fill labor needs. Contracted janitorial and lawn care services provide Community Based Supported Employment opportunities for some individuals.

Sarah described one of TRICO’s programs called Community Based Day Services. This program provides community inclusion activities where individuals learn basic interpersonal communication skills, money skills, and other educational opportunities at businesses and other locations in the community. Through activities like bowling and crafts, they are provided supported opportunities to socialize and develop interactive skills. TRICO also has a youth services program. In this program they provide job readiness and on the job training for students during the school year. There are opportunities for high school students to attend job training at local businesses in the community during Summer months.

If you know someone who would benefit from the many services TRICO offers, give their office a call. Their website, www.tricoopp.com, has program descriptions and contact information. They are also looking for businesses that are able to provide opportunities for program participants. Donations are appreciated and tax deductible. They are used to directly help local individuals.

Chairperson Joan Jouppi shared a beautiful quote from television personality Peter Marshall. “May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”

Golden K meets Monday mornings at the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Next week’s scheduled speaker is Dr. John P. Shealey, executive director of the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center. Everyone is welcome at 10 a.m. to share coffee, doughnuts, conversation and community news.