In the suburbs of Detroit, nestled within the Sacred Heart Byzantine Catholic Church, a story of faith, betrayal, and unwavering generosity unfolded—a tale that warmed the hearts of the faithful and received recognition from an unexpected quarter.
Father Marquis’ Quest for Security
For Father Joseph Marquis, who has served as the pastor of Sacred Heart Byzantine Catholic Church for 18 years, keeping the doors of his church open during the day for parishioners seeking solace in prayer was paramount. However, maintaining an unlocked and unattended church also exposed God’s house to the lurking threat of theft and vandalism. Father Marquis envisioned installing security cameras inside the sacristy to address this concern and promote peace and comfort for the church’s visitors.
The solution seemed straightforward, but in the 21st century, peace and comfort come at a cost—a cost that Father Marquis and his congregation were willing to bear. The Ladies of Sacred Heart group embarked on a fundraising journey, working diligently to amass the required $5,000 for the CCTV project. With the funds in hand, they initiated a quest to find a trustworthy contractor to execute the installation.
A Betrayed Trust
Based on a recommendation from a longtime parish friend, Father Marquis selected a local contractor to carry out the CCTV installation. The contractor requested a $2,500 deposit to initiate the project, and Father Marquis, trusting the recommendation, complied. However, what transpired next was a heartbreaking betrayal of trust.
Weeks turned into a month, and the CCTV system remained uninstalled. To the church’s dismay, only a solitary wire had been strung through a window. Father Marquis realized that the contractor had chosen to deceive the church, leaving him without recourse. Efforts to recover the funds proved futile, as the contractor went to great lengths to block Father Marquis’s attempts at communication.
A Helping Hand from Fox-2 Detroit
Frustrated and left with no other option, Father Marquis turned to local news station Fox-2 Detroit for assistance. The station’s veteran investigative reporter, Rob Wolchek, known for hosting the Hall of Shame segment, was approached to shed light on this injustice. Wolchek, who frequently exposes unethical business practices, agreed to cover the story, putting the issue in the public eye.
Huffmaster’s Remarkable Gesture
What followed next can only be described as a heartwarming miracle—a testament to the power of compassion and generosity. Ryan B. Okerstrom, Vice President of Operations for Huffmaster, and his dedicated team assessed the situation and decided to bestow an incredible gift upon the betrayed church.
In a manner reminiscent of the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the Huffmaster team provided a solution that exceeded Father Marquis’s wildest dreams—a cutting-edge $20,000 security video management system installed at no cost. With swift precision, Ryan, Andrew Miller, Director of Technology Solutions, and Brandon Hutchinson, Technology Support Manager, combined their efforts with parts donated by Avigilon and labor from a trusted partner, to install the state-of-the-art security camera system.
The installation presented challenges, such as seamlessly concealing wiring and cameras throughout the church. However, the Huffmaster team’s unwavering commitment to the project ensured a hassle-free and effective installation process.
Enhanced Security and Peace of Mind
The new CCTV system has fortified the security of the Sacred Heart Byzantine Catholic Church and ushered in a renewed sense of well-being within the community. With features like immediate motion detection and high-quality image capture, the system provides protection and peace of mind to the church and its patrons.
While acknowledging that he is not a technical expert, Father Marquis praised the state-of-the-art security system’s user-friendly nature, which allows him to access church images on any mobile device effortlessly.
A Prestigious Recognition
The heartwarming story of the Huffmaster team’s generosity did not go unnoticed. Ryan B. Okerstrom and Rob Wolchek were honored with the prestigious Saint Nicholas Institute Medal of Honor—an accolade presented by Father Joseph Marquis himself.
Founded by Father Joseph Marquis, the Saint Nicholas Institute is dedicated to promoting the ideals and encouraging the modern interpretation of Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus. The Institute conducts annual seminars to teach Santas and Mrs. Clauses how to embody the spirit of Saint Nicholas.
Ryan B. Okerstrom was awarded for advocating on behalf of the church and donating the remarkable $20,000 security video management system. Rob Wolchek received recognition for profiling the story, highlighting a local Detroit contractor’s unscrupulous actions, and showcasing Huffmaster’s extraordinary act of kindness. Andy Brandimarte from Avigilon and Jeremy Smith, the Fox-2 Detroit videographer, also received well-deserved recognition for their invaluable contributions to the installation and documentation of this heartwarming tale.