GOLDEN K CHAIRPERSON Judy Sielaff, left, introduces guest speaker Jessica Batton from Compassion for Chemo 906. (Joanne Lindholm photo)

KINGSFORD — Judy Sielaff kicked off the Golden K weekly Monday morning meetings. Kirk Olson was welcomed back after being gone for the winter season.

The welcome song was sung for this weeks guest speaker Jessica Batton.

Lois Outcelt shared a cute Toivo and Leno joke, then Alyce Derwinski graced the group with her amazing piano playing and Lois Outcelt led them in song including “Who’s Sorry Now” and “You Are My Sunshine.” Perfect for the 75-degree, summer-like weather.

The birthday song was sung for Golden K members Wendy Mulka, Gary Proudfit, Lois Outcelt and Al Calcari. The anniversary song was sung for Ron and Joan Jouppi.

Judy Sielaff gave the thought for the day, “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.” The 5O-50 drawing was won by Kirk Olson.

Happy Dollar was given by Lois Outcelt, who is delighted her family from Alaska will be home soon.

A short board meeting followed the morning’s meeting to discuss the special needs children’s picnic Monday at City Park in Iron Mountain. Members were encouraged to be at the park by 8:30 a.m. to help set up. Coffee and doughnuts will be available at that time.

Sielaff introduced the guest speaker Jessica Batton from Compassion for Chemo 906. Batton told of her life, her husband and four children.

She worked for many years at Maurice’s and Slumberland, eventually loving her new job at Linnea & Kristine floral shop. In fact, she and her husband made plans to purchase the business. While looking into the new endevour, she discovered she had breast cancer after a routine mammogram. The report showed it was likely in her armpit as well. Batton explained it was difficult to tell her spouse, parents and children.

A biopsy confirmed it was cancer and had spread to lymph nodes. She put her life in God’s hands and in his timing. Linnea & Kristine worked with Batton, giving her the time off she needed during her chemotherapy and recovery.

She received chemotherapy at Bellin in Green Bay, Wis., and when it began she was given a care bag of item needed during the process. This was greatly appreciated. Her neuropathy became so bad she had to discontinue the treatments but received radiation in Iron Mountain.

She then thought, “I wonder if we could start a Chemo Care bag program at Marshfield in Iron Mountain?” When the word got out on social media, she was able to make 30 bags and within four months 25 of those bags had been given out. She posted her need for more help and the response was huge. They have now made 150 bags that were dispersed to Marshfield, Iron River and the VA. She noted that local quilting groups make the beautiful bags the items are place into.

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain has provided Batton the space to keep her items, where she also prepares the bags. She has many volunteers who have stepped up to help her, including local teens. The bags include hard candies, healthy snacks, plastic water bottles, water flavor packets, lip balm, magazines, Sudoku, crossword puzzles, etc. Donations are welcomed.

Batton is so thankful in God’s timing. She has completed surgery and is currently very healthy. She and her husband have now purchased Linnea & Kristine.

She quoted the Bible verse Isaiah 46:4: “Even to old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made and I will bear, I will carry and will save.”

Batton is filled with hope and grateful to all who have donated to her project. Her project can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

The group thanked her for the informative presentation and for starting the worthwhile cause.

Lois Outcelt will be the chairwoman for June. All are welcome to join the group at 10 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford. Meeting are about an hour in length and offer highlights about the community.

Volunteers are always needed for special needs children events and nursing home bingo.