Spirit of Giving is Volunteer's Calling All Year Long

When it comes to familiar Dearborn faces, a well-known and welcoming one belongs to resident and ubiquitous volunteer Char Kernen.

“It keeps me active and lets me gratefully give back for all I have been lucky to have,” the 67-year-old wife, mom and grandmother said of her favorite hobby. “Every time I walk out that door, I feel so blessed.”

Raised in Northwest Detroit, the former Charlene Smale grew up with her single mom, Charlotte, and younger brother, Joseph. Although economic issues meant moving in with her grandparents until more financially secure, Kernen feels she was fortunate on many levels.

“I could’ve had a real ugly life, but I didn’t, and I hold onto that,” she says. “Children need to know they are important. That’s especially true in instances of abuse; kids need to know it is never their fault, that they have value and really matter.”

One way she helps validate kids is her volunteer work at Oakwood’s Annapolis Hospital. Beyond an x-ray lab and desk job, she also shops weekly at local dollar stores, loading up on Hot Wheels and stuffed animals, which she gives to children needing diversion during scary hospital visits.

“I’ve been so blessed with our marriage, kids and grandkids, that to be able to go to a job and make others smile is so very worth it,” she said. ”Children take those toys home with them; my hope is it made their day easier in the process.”

Kernen met her husband, Dick, more than 48 years ago at a Notre Dame High School record hop he was DJ’ing. He was six years her senior then at 26, and she lied about her age after friends introduced them.

“They wanted me to meet Dick because I had recently broken up with my boyfriend, but they also figured if I didn’t like him, I could go hang out in the bathroom for the rest of the night,” she recalls, laughing.

That wasn’t necessary; the connection went well–although he removed his glasses to appear more handsome, and basically drove blind while taking her home in his Buick Skylark.

The couple, who will celebrate their 48th anniversary next April, have two kids: Bob, 46, and Christine, 43; and five grandkids: Jake, Nicholas, Mitchell, Eammon and Fiona.

Today, Dick Kernen is vice president of industry relations at Southfield’s Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

Of his wife, he simply states, “Char is the kindest person I have ever known.”

Many agree, as multiple local charitable efforts have benefitted from Char Kernan’s help.

The benefitted by her service until she tearfully gave it up due to leg problems caused by cage cleaning. Still, she misses the fur babies while keeping busy with Dearborn humans.

At the , where she volunteers weekly, she is a trusted and long-time pair of hands that assists in the food pantry.

“People even come by bus for food,” she said. “They receive items based on family size. It provides a sense of how many are in need. They are always so grateful for what we provide.”

One elderly Detroit woman arrived recently who raises four grandkids since her daughter’s suicide. Kernen helped load up her car, noting the grandmother’s thin coat before heading to her own car. She handed over an item destined for charitable donation – a full-length mink coat.

The look on the woman’s face, says Kernan, was priceless.

The church connection also led to a social one; she joined the “Lusty Ladies” monthly luncheon club for outings. Although the women are her seniors by a few decades, Kernan said they inspire her to stay active.

“That is key, no matter what you do,” she says. “It gets you up and out and keeps you going.”