GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Clean out your closets, help people find jobs and get a deal on tickets for Broadway Grand Rapids with the new deal by Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids.

The nonprofit organization is offering $20 off tickets to “Annie” to people who donate gently used clothing or household items to any Goodwill store. You can find the list of locations here. The coupon is good for select seats during the Jan. 13 performance at DeVos Performance Hall.  Goodwill will also be accepting gently used coats at DeVos Hall on opening night.

“Annie” runs through Jan. 13-18.  The musical is centered on a determined orphan who journeys through New York looking for her parents.  Her adventure includes foiling the plots of Miss Hannigan, who runs the orphanage; meeting President Franklin Delano Roosevelt; and finding a new home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks.

NORTON SHORES, Mich.—A West Michigan family received three surprises while shopping at Meijer for the holidays.

Not only did the store cover Elizabeth Flores’ bill, but co-chairman Doug Meijer and other team members surprised Flores with items that didn’t make it into her grocery cart.  During her trip down the aisles, Flores picked up some gifts, but eventually returned them to store shelves because she was worried she couldn’t pay for them.  Little did she know, Doug Meijer and store employees were picking up those discarded items to surprise her with at checkout.  Doug Meijer also added a bicycle and helmet to Flores’ complimentary order, for her 7-year-old son, Octavio.

Meijer picked up the tab for 213 shoppers this season, as part of its inaugural Very Merry Meijer event on Dec. 13.  Co-chairman Hank Meijer and President J.K. Symancyk also took part in the giveaway at the 28th Street and Plainfield Avenue stores, respectively.

WALKER, Mich.—Christmas came early to 213 Meijer shoppers, who received a checkout surprise.

On Dec. 13, the Walker-based retailer paid for all of the gifts and groceries filling each shopper’s cart, ranging from $350 to $1,200 each.  The company posted video of the event on YouTube, which you can find here.

“The holidays are a time for kindness and joy, and the Very Merry Meijer event was a perfect opportunity for us to share the spirit of the season with those we hold dear: our customers,” Co-Chairman Hank Meijer said. “Our family has always believed that our customers don’t need us, but that we need them. That philosophy still guides us today. We are very thankful for our customers, and wanted to find a special way to wish them a very Merry Christmas.”