A successful walking program in rural Newfoundland celebrates the efforts of what a group of caring individuals can accomplish in a short amount of time. Of course, when that group is called Moving for Health there was never any doubt that we would move mountains to make Project Michael a success.

The Moving for Health group meet twice weekly for a walking and exercise program here, in All Hallow's Elementary School's gymnasium. We are a group that has come to care a great deal about one another.

I would like to share with you the origins of Project Michael a little idea that grew!

Before our exercise program took its usual summer hiatus I had a conversation with group member, Rosemary Neil. Rosemary, quietly, told me that her son, Michael, was to be deployed to Afghanistan. Rosemary was naturally fearful and apprehensive but what most impressed me was her strength, conviction, and above all pride in Michael.

I never forgot that conversation, it remained with me throughout the summer months.

When Moving for Health resumed in September I spoke with Rosemary again. By this time, Michael had been in Afghanistan since August 25th.

I was once again impressed by Rosemary's strength.

It had been an idea of mine, from that initial conversation with Rosemary, that our group would want to support her in any way that we could.

I mentioned to Sherry Kennedy – who is one of the group’s co-leaders, the fact that Michael was now in Afghanistan.

We both agreed that as a group, Moving for Health would lend our support and show Rosemary that we shared in her love and pride of Michael.

The idea had been formulated and the planning committee had been struck.

Project Michael was born! And Michael became “Our Michael.” He may be Rosemary's biological son but we all became his surrogate Mom's that day!

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you a little bit about Michael.

Master Corporal Michael Neil is the son of Rosemary and Wilfred Neil, grandson of Mabel Neil. He was born in Germany, where he lived for the first three years of his life. Michael's father, Wilf, was in the Army himself, so Michael lived and grew up in many of our Canadian provinces.

Michael joined the Armed Forces twice - the first time as a member of the Air Force where he was trained as an Aircraft Electrician. He left after three years.

Six years later, he re-applied as a member of the Army. He was trained as a Fire Control Systems Technician. He has been in the Army in this capacity for the last 13 years and thoroughly loves what he does.

Two years ago, he volunteered for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. On the 25th of August he was deployed to Kandahar.

Our vision for Project Michael was to prepare 10 Morale Packs. We exceeded our goal by filling 24 morale packs. Our support of Michael would be extended to those servicemen and women serving alongside of him. SANTA Michael will distribute Morale Packs to his comrades, and, a Santa hat has been included in Michael's box for that very reason.

In addition to usual items - such as food treats, personal hygiene products, magazines etc., we add other special things to a Morale Pack for “Our Michael,” such as a Newfoundland flag signed by all members of the Moving for Health group, a personal Christmas card from us all and without a doubt some extra Purity kisses!

And, we asked the Grade Six students of All Hallow's Elementary to enclose Christmas Cards in the Morale Packs, with messages to our soldiers.

All Hallow's Elementary School Principal, Dr. Kevin Giles, provided us with full support of our Project. We are delighted to have music teacher Linda Mercer and the All Hallows Elementary Choir and Fiddlers join us.

But the planning did not end there.

The Military Family Resource Centre thought that Project Michael was a great idea, not only did they make donations to the Morale Boxes, donate decorations, Tim Horton's coffee and ribbons, they also provided transportation for other families who receive support, to attend Project Michael’s festivities.

From the Department of National Defence we are honored to have Lieutenant Commander Garth Taylor and Field Operations Manager Eva Marks-MacIsaac.

As hosts to the MFRC and Staff of the Department of National Defence it was decided that we arrange a social event as well, and we would do so in true Newfoundland fashion by treating them to the hospitality that Newfoundlanders are known for!

We very quickly mobilized and sprung into action.

To formalize this event, we extended invitations to our local MHAs, Roland Butler (Liberal Member for Port de Grave district) and Tom Hedderson (Progressive Conservative Member for Harbour Main district); invitations went out to Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, to our Sponsors, and to our local Community Cable Program – Eastlink' s MY TOWN.

Along about this time we decided to approach the business community for donations to Project Michael and they came through for us generously.

So, as you can see, our Project, “Project Michael” was a little idea that grew!

We owe such tremendous accolades to Sherry Kennedy for that growth! Without her imagination, vision, dedication and boundless energy none of this would have been possible.

Members of our group, Moving for Health, have outdone themselves. The outpouring of kindness and generosity has been overwhelming. The planning committee has had such fun in organizing this event.

Each and every member is to be commended – it is true that there is strength in numbers – and, as I said at the outset we would move mountains to make Project Michael a success – and in my opinion – we did just that!

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made Project Michael such a success,” said Rosemary and Wilfred Neil.

What you will see here is the result of hard work by caring individuals who never lost sight of why we were doing what we were doing and that was simply to show Rosemary and Wilfred Neil that we support and care for them, we support and care for “Our Michael” and we support and care for our fellow countrymen and women who are currently serving our country.

We applaud the efforts and bravery of Our Troops.

Written by Wendy Cole
Co-Leader, Moving for Health
North River
  Submitted By: Sherry Kennedy