Tag Archives: donations

Community can help double donation to local Coats for Kids program!

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Going Local, Health, How-To's, Kent County, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, Weather, West Michigan, , , , , , , , ,
Coats For Kids has been keeping kids warm since 2009! (Courtesy, Doyle & Ogden Inc.)



By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Community members can vote to double the Make More Happen Award amount (Courtesy photo)

Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance have awarded Doyle & Ogden Inc. a 2024 Make More Happen Award for its volunteerism with Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to unite in transforming our world.

The award includes an initial donation of $5,000 for Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation and its Coats for Kids program, which can be doubled to $10,000 just by having community supporters vote online.

The Doyle & Ogden Inc. and Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation community story will be highlighted on the official Make More Happen microsite. Supporters can vote to help the team reach their donation goal.

If the featured story receives at least 500 votes, the $5,000 donation will be raised to $10,000.

A legacy of warmth and care

The Del J. & Jean B. Doyle Family Foundation was established in 2005 as a tribute to the founder of Doyle & Ogden, Del J. Doyle and his wife Jean, to continue their legacy of philanthropy and volunteerism.

As a part of this organization, Doyle & Ogden created the Coats for Kids program in 2009, providing winter coats to elementary children whose families are unable to afford one.

Doubling the $5,000 donation will help hundreds of children in need (Courtesy, Doyle & Ogden Inc.)

West Michigan winters are brutal, and a large percentage of children in need walk to school. Without a warm winter coat, students do not attend school. Subsequently, they do not have breakfast and lunch that day or receive their sack supper from Kids’ Food Basket. Without proper nutrition, students then fall behind in their education.

The $10,000 donation will allow the organization to supply an estimated 500 children with winter coats and expand the number of schools benefiting from this program.

“We are honored and incredibly grateful for being awarded the 2024 Make More Happen Award so we can continue to help our community and give back even more to local schools,” said Mike Doyle, agency owner and president of Doyle & Ogden. “The Coats for Kids program has had a significant impact in the Grand Rapids area and are thrilled to double the donation with community support.”

Expanding donations

In 2023, a total of 1,202 new winter coats were distributed among 18 schools and organizations in need. This year marks 15 years of the Coats for Kids program, and the agency is delivering more coats than ever.

Coats for Kids is providing more and more coats to kids in need each year (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

The $10,000 donation is vital in continuing to provide winter coats to those in need.

The entire team at Doyle & Ogden assists with the Coats for Kids program. The agency holds internal fundraisers and solicits donations from partners. Several staff members have knitted scarves and hats for each coat donated.

“Recognizing independent agents’ dedication to their communities and nonprofit partners is what the Make More Happen Awards is all about,” said Lisa Hartt, Safeco Insurance Midwest Region Senior Territory Manager. “Doyle & Ogden is a shining example of the amazing work independent agents do in Michigan, and we hope sharing inspiring stories motivates others to do the same.”

Apply for the Make More Happen Award

Throughout 2024, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance will select up to 37 independent agents nationwide for a Make More Happen Award. They will donate up to $370,000 to the nonprofits they support.

Agencies became eligible for the award by submitting an application and photos demonstrating their commitment to a specific nonprofit.

New scholarship program through KDL aims to empower individuals working to achieve their dreams

3-bottom, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, Education, Finances, Going Local, Kent County, Non-Profits, Our Cities, West Michigan, , , , ,
KDL’s scholarship program will provide education and pave the way for a stronger community (Courtesy, KDL)



By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Education transforms lives, and Kent District Library (KDL) has launched a new scholarship program to help local students obtain that education.

The scholarship program empowers individuals enrolling in college or vocational training programs. Your year-end contribution will help establish the fund and enable more individuals to achieve their dreams.


(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Why should you donate?

Contributions to the scholarship fund, KDL says, are an investment into the education of future local leaders, innovators and contributors. This helps strengthen and build a stronger local community.

Financial constraints often hinder individuals as they pursue higher education. Donations break down those barriers and provide opportunities to those who need it.

“Education is the cornerstone of a thriving community,” KDL says in supplied material. “By supporting our scholarship program, you are helping to build a stronger, more educated community that benefits everyone.”

Contributions and spreading the word

KDL hopes to raise $200,000 or more by June 2024. All contributions, no matter the size, make a difference.

“Every dollar brings us one step closer to supporting another aspiring student,” says KDL (supplied).

Sharing KDL’s message with friends, family and networks has the potential to increase lives impacted with the scholarship program.


(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Contact and donation information

Those with questions or requests for more information are urged to reach out to KDL at 616-784-2007 or contact@kdl.org.

KDL thanks the community for your generosity and commitment to the future of our community: “Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who are eager to learn, grow and make a positive impact on the world.”

Donate now at kdl.org/donate.

Support veterans: Much-needed items for Michigan veterans highlighted in published wish list

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Community Health, Going Local, Holidays, Kent County, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Veterans, West Michigan, , , , ,
Support Michigan veterans via monetary donations or in-kind donations this holiday season (Courtesy, MVH)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org

Donations help improve quality of life for veteran members (Courtesy, MVH)

Michigan Veteran Homes (MVH) has published a wish list for each Home highlighting much-needed items to support veteran members this holiday season.

“Michiganders who fought and sacrificed for our freedom deserve our gratitude and support during the holidays,” said Governor Whitmer. “For the more than 300 veterans living at state veteran homes in Chesterfield Township, Grand Rapids, and Marquette, a letter filled with holiday wishes or a gift from their wish list makes a real difference in their lives and lets them know they are not forgotten.

“Let’s continue working together to make sure our veterans and their families feel our support around the holidays.”

Monetary donations

Michigan Veteran Homes at Grand Rapids (MVHGR) is seeking monetary donations to support the charitable support fund which is used to improve the quality of life for veteran members.

Monetary donations can be made at Support MVH or checks can be written to MVHGR and mailed to 2950 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. Please indicate the fund designation “Charitable Support Fund” in the memo section of the check.

In-kind donations

In-kind donations can be dropped off at the new Home (Courtesy, MVH)

The Home is also seeking in-kind donations such as Velcro shoes, Forever stamps, snack items and potted indoor plants. These items can be brought to the main entrance of the new Home.

For more information or to coordinate a time to drop off in-kind donations, please contact Volunteer and Donations Coordinator Gretchen Muir at muirg@michigan.gov or 616-840-3001.

Updated wish list items and donation tips may be viewed online at Holiday Wish List 23. You can also direct-ship requested items from the Home’s Amazon Wish List.

Santa Claus Girls nonprofit pivots after fire, requests monetary donations to replace gifts for children in need

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Going Local, Holidays, Kent County, Local Business, Local Faces, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Upcoming Events, West Michigan, , , , , , , ,
Local nonprofit is determined to bring Christmas to thousands of Kent County children despite the fire at their storage facility (Courtesy, pxhere.com)



By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


A recent fire destroyed over 5,000 of gifts intended for families in need this Christmas. But Santa Claus Girls (SCG) of Kent County is determined to keep Christmas alive for the 8,500 children registered this year.

At 9 p.m. on Nov. 24, multiple agencies responded to a fire at the DeltaPlex Arena in Walker that began in a west wall of the building.

Over 5,000 gifts were damaged by smoke (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

An event center for many years, the Arena closed in summer of 2022, but remained the donation drop-off site for SCG.

Though flames did not reach the area where SCG operates, smoke infiltrated the area for hours, causing damage to thousands of gifts.

SCG Vice President Nancy Ditta said they have not been able to go through the gifts yet, and therefore are not sure if anything is salvageable. SCG will go through their storage area after the first of the year, and will know more then.

Right now, SCG’s focus is on making sure all registered children in need receive a gift in time for Christmas.

A Christmas pivot

“We have 8,500 kids, with 3,500 families, registered to receive gifts,” said Ditta. “We were able to purchase gift cards through Meijer, so we will be delivering gift cards instead of gifts to all of our recipients.”

Santa Claus Girls wants every child to receive a gift on Christmas morning (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

The number of registered children is a decrease from the 13,000 children serviced in 2022 due to an unexpected registration cutoff.

“With the fire, we had to stop registrations early,” said Ditta.

With a delivery date of Dec. 9, monetary donations to help purchase gift cards are needed.

While toys, books, and other physical gifts are accepted, Ditta said monetary donations are best since SCG volunteers are not at the DeltaPlex location to accept donations.

Monetary donations can be made via credit card, PayPal or check. Detailed instructions on how to complete donations can be found on the SCG website.

Children and families in need will receive gift cards personally delivered to their door by one of 300 volunteer drivers on Saturday, Dec. 9.

A century of giving

SCG was founded in 1908 by Arianna VanDoorn of Park Congregational Church.

Sponsored by the late Arthur H. VandenBerg, then editor of the Grand Rapids Herald, VanDoorn collected $85 to provide gifts for 150 children who, due to unfortunate circumstances, would not receive gifts at Christmas.

The goal of SCG is to ensure all children in Kent County receives a gift on Christmas morning. Each child receives one new piece of clothing, one new toy, a new book, and hats and mittens.

(Courtesy photo)

For over a century, SCG has helped thousands of Kent County children between the ages of one and twelve years of age – yet many people don’t know the group exists.

“This is our 115th year, [and] a lot of people aren’t familiar with Santa Claus Girls,” said Ditta, adding that the tragedy of the DeltaPlex fire has made more people aware of SCG and their mission.

How you can give

SCG accepts donations at any time throughout the year. Because every person associated with SCG is a non-paid volunteer, 100% of collected funds go directly to the program.

To donate, click here: donate.

To learn more about SCG, visit: www.santaclausgirls.org.

Local foundation encourages residents to ‘feed the shelter’

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Pets/Animals, ,

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Many shelters in the U.S. struggle to feed the pets in their care and communities, especially as inflation impacts food costs and donations. Throughout March, BISSELL Pet Foundation is raising awareness to encourage community support for shelters with its “Feed the Shelters®” campaign. The foundation is calling on pet lovers nationwide to donate food to their local shelter to make a lifesaving difference for a hungry pet.

Volunteers donate food items to the Kent County Animal Shelter. (Courtesy, BISSELL Pet Foundation)

“Donating food to your local shelter makes a difference for pets in need—whether it fills bowls in the shelter or for pets in need through community food assistance programs,” said Cathy Bissell, Founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation.

Resources are stretched thin at Michigan shelters—and shelters nationwide—as these organizations experience longer stays for pets, increased owner surrenders and staffing issues. Shelters are community assets dedicated to keeping people and their pets together. Whether open admission or private, shelters support their communities through pet food assistance programs, free and low-cost community clinics, obedience classes, reuniting families with stray pets, and much more. At BISSELL Pet Foundation, we are committed to supporting shelter,  and our “Feed the Shelters” campaign allows us to spread the love for all that shelters do and raise awareness to drive food donations.

“We hope our “Feed the Shelters” campaign will get community members through the doors of their local shelter to not only make a lifesaving food donation, but to also learn more about getting involved at their shelter,” said Bissell.

Participating in “Feed the Shelters” is easy:

  1. Find your local shelter’s wish list and see what food they need.
  2. Visit your shelter and take a photo or video of you dropping off your donation.
  3. Share your donation photo/video on social media with #FeedTheShelters and tag @Cathy_Bissell and @BISSELLPets
  4. Tag your friends and family to participate!

All year long, BISSELL Pet Foundation receives requests to help hungry pets from our network of more than 5,700 shelters and rescues. BISSELL Pet Foundation keeps bellies full by providing Feed the Shelters program grants to animal welfare organizations across the country. Grant recipients can then offer meals to their pets and donate meals to the neediest pets in their communities through pet food pantries and other lifesaving pet food resources. Since the program’s inception in 2020, the foundation has provided 1,850 904 meals to hungry pets.

Degage seeks donations, volunteers for annual Christmas store

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, ,
A guest selects some items from the Degage Christmas Store Express. The store will be open again this year with social distancing guidelines in place. (Supplied)

By Anna Johns
WKTV Intern

The holiday season is expected to look different this year but Degage Ministries is not letting these hardships get in the way of Christmas. Degage Ministries annual Christmas Store Express has been going on for a number of years and this year will be no different, according to organizers.

The goal of the store is to help low-income and homeless residents of the Heartside neighborhood purchase holiday gifts for family and friends. They will be reselling household items, clothing, toys, and more to residents at reduced prices. The store will provide those in need an opportunity to feel dignity and value in not only choosing, but also paying for the gift items. Individuals who cannot afford the store have an opportunity to earn Degage dollars that they can use for shopping.

“This is a great way for people to bring the brightness of their lives to Christmas this year,” said Degage Ministries Event Coordinator Kristen Aidif.

 

Items sold at the store are donated by the community and Degage Ministries is currently looking for donations for the shop. This year, organizers have created an Amazon wishlist to make it easier for the community to help. Items can be purchased from the Amazon wishlist and will be sent directly to the ministry.

Another option is to purchase items listed on the wishlist and drop them off at any Center for Physical Rehabilitation location, which there is a location in the City of Wyoming at 1736 Gezon Pkwy., Suite 100, and near near the City of Kentwood at 7150 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Suite B. These items should be dropped off unwrapped and donations must be received no later than Dec. 9. 

The store will be open Dec. 16 and 17 at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. They are also looking for community volunteers and those who are interested can find more information here. 

At this year’s Christmas Store Express event, participants and volunteers will need to wear masks and social distance the required six feet. (Supplied)