A mother with children at heart

Posted Thursday, July 3, 2008

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By Nancy Angellotti
VIEW Writer
DRYDEN — Lesle Cole has a big heart for children. As member of the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Lapeer, Cole brings positive energy, experience, and dedication to the important task of providing children with the support they need. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, Cole seeks to see that children have more guidance, learn good decision-making skills, and have a better path to success.

“Lesle is a wonderful person with a huge heart. I appreciate her so much!” says Susana Jackiewicz, Executive Director of BBBS of Lapeer County. “You can count on her 100 percent. She’s a roll-up-your-sleeves, work hard kind of person.”

Cole is a busy wife, mom, and businesswoman. Cole and her husband, Chad Gardner, live in the Dryden area. They have a family of five children ranging in age from 14 to 21.

Cole says her dedication to helping children found its roots when she started raising her own.
“I could see how much my children were benefiting from a cohesive family unit,” Cole says. Sometimes her own children brought home others that didn’t have the advantage of a solid, stable family. “It opened my eyes,” she notes.

Between mothering her own children and championing others, Cole also sits on the board of L&L Products, a Romeo supplier in the automotive industry making adhesives, sealants, and gaskets. L&L was started by Cole’s father more than 40 years ago. Cole has served on the company’s board for 10 years.

Working on behalf of children has been one of Cole’s missions for years now. When her children started attending Hadley-Murphy Elementary, Cole observed that the school was lacking in computer technology. She set out to raise funds to equip the school. Her formidable efforts launched a fundraising drive that successfully furnished the school with computers and technological infrastructure.

The school continues to use the tools that Cole set in motion. “I’m so pleased with the advancements that Hadley-Murphy is doing. They have to be applauded,” Cole is happy to report. She continues to be a sponsor for fundraising efforts there.

Cole and Jackiewicz got to know each other through the school, serving on the Parent Teacher Committee together. Later, when Jackiewicz became involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters, she knew that Cole would be a true asset on the team. Cole first served on the BBBS board in 2005. She and Jackiewicz have a great working relationship. “It’s been a wonderment,” Cole says.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a United Way agency that provides children with safe adult mentors. The organization currently has 36 “bigs” — adult mentors. Jackiewicz says the organization constantly has a long waiting list of “littles,” children who would benefit from a mentor. There are nine people on the board.

Cole’s fundraising talents are very important for BBBS, especially with an uncertain economy that may impact the organization. “Our goal is to provide funding and services to meet all the needs for our service area in Lapeer County, to help all the children that are in need,” Cole says.

Toward that end, Cole and her husband have generously donated two tantalizing prizes for the organization’s Belize Tropical Island Vacation Raffle. Jackiewicz is thrilled at the Coles’ donation of these very exciting prizes.

The Belize Tropical Island Vacation Raffle includes a first prize of a seven-day stay in a two-bedroom grand villa tropical paradise, including airfare for two, valued at $4,500. Second prize is a four-day stay in a one-bedroom lanai suite, valued at $3,000. Both prizes include airfare for two.

Tickets for the raffle are available at the BBBS offices at 220 W. Nepessing Street, Suite 203, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. They also can be purchased at various venues this summer, including the Eastern Michigan Fair, Lapeer Days and Metamora Country Days. Tickets have been limited to 500; each costs $25.00.

More about Lesle Cole
Married to: Chad Gardner
Mom to: 5 kids, ages 14 to 21
Pet lover: 2 dogs, 3 cats
Trail rider: 3 horses, Cash, Sonny, and Lilbit
Likes to: Garden
Enjoys: Being a passenger on her husband’s Harley, especially riding in charity events, where “we get to meet up with people from all over.”
Raised in: Romeo, Mich., and Scottsdale, Ariz.