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My Town: Consumers Energy Foundation awards nearly $39K to nonprofits

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 29th, 10:15 am
My Town: Consumers Energy Foundation awards nearly $39K to nonprofits

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Dozens of nonprofit organizations that are close to the hearts of Consumers Energy employees are getting a financial boost.

The Consumers Energy Foundation recently awarded 78 grants worth $38,350 to organizations in Michigan where Consumers employees and retirees volunteer.  Last year, nonprofits in the state received more than $8 million from Consumers Energy and its employees, retirees, foundation and parent company, CMS Energy.  

The 2014 second quarter grant recipients include:

Allegan County

  • $450 to Fennville Public Schools Youth Baseball (Loren Barnes)
  • $550 to Fennville Public Schools Youth Football (Loren Barnes)

Ionia County

  • $550 to Portland Public Schools Wrestling Club (Chad Miller)

Kalamazoo County

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My Town: Heart of West Michigan United Way awards $3.3 million in community grants

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 23rd, 10:30 am
My Town: Heart of West Michigan United Way awards $3.3 million in community grants

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—More than three dozen organizations and agencies helping people get back on their feet are getting millions of dollars in support.

The Heart of West Michigan United Way awarded $3.3 million in grants to 39 agencies that reach out to the community-from offering home-delivered meals to senior to after school care.

 “We value our partnership and believe a community that takes care of its friends and neighbors is a good place to live. By investing in the basic needs of the community, we are working together to help the people that are the most in need,” says Maureen Noe, president and CEO of Heart of West Michigan United Way.  “If people have their basic needs met, such as food, shelter and a safe home situation, they are able to focus on the future and take the next steps to improving their lives. “

This year’s grant recipients are: 

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My Town: Pantry on wheels rolls into Eastown July 22

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 22nd, 11:01 am
My Town: Pantry on wheels rolls into Eastown July 22

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— A pantry on wheels will be rolling into Eastown Wednesday to help feed families in need.

The Feeding America West Michigan mobile food pantry will be stationed outside Sigsbee School/Southeast Academic Center July 23, to distribute food traditional pantries do not normally have available for those in need.  Distribution will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.   People who would like to volunteer to help should email info@eastown.org.

 The Feeding America truck will return to the area Aug. 13.

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My Town: Park patch to help fight hunger in West Michigan

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 16th, 12:57 pm
My Town: Park patch to help fight hunger in West Michigan

WYOMING, Mich.—United Church Outreach Ministry is getting down and dirty to help fight hunger in West Michigan.

As part of their newest project, Growing Green Neighbors, ministry members teamed up with community members, Metro Health employees and other volunteers Tuesday to turn a patch of Wyoming’s Marquette Park into a thriving garden.

The food will be donated to Feeding America West Michigan, increasing the amount of healthy fresh vegetables available to pantry visitors.

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My Town: Salon celebrates 20 years in business by giving back

Submitted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 15th, 12:24 pm
My Town: Salon celebrates 20 years in business by giving back

PLAINFIELD, Mich.—A local hair salon is celebrating 20 years in business by helping sick children.

When the Plainfield Avenue Meijer closed its hair salon in 1994, employee Kristi Dochod decided to open a chair rental salon of her own in a nearby strip mall at 3910 Plainfield Ave. NE.   Classic Hair Design was born.  Dochod and her sister, who also bought into the business, opened in 12 weeks, welcoming customers and stylists from the previous salon. 

Since then, the salon has nearly doubled its workforce to 15 licensed stylists and two nail technicians.

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My Town Plainfield: Park logo creator honored

Submitted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 9th, 2:44 pm
My Town Plainfield: Park logo creator honored

PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich.—The woman whose artwork will grace the signs at Plainfield Township’s newest park has made a career out of graphic design.

Katie Karnes is a graphic artist for Mlive Media Group.  Monday night, the township honored her for coming up with the winning name and logo for Premier Park.  Karnes received a $500 prize.

The public naming contest generated more than 90 entries and more than 50 logo ideas.  Last month, the board unanimously voted to adopt Karnes’ logo design, which incorporated the township seal.   The township plans to translate her entries into park signs that could be posted as early as the end of the year.

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My Town: Tickets now on sale for Meijer LPGA Classic Tournament

Submitted by Anonymous on Monday, July 7th, 11:45 am
My Town: Tickets now on sale for Meijer LPGA Classic Tournament

BELMONT, Mich.—In exactly one month, nearly 150 professional golfers will fill West Michigan for the Meijer LPGA Classic.

The 72-hole event is expected to attract 144 players from across the nation.  The tournament will take place Aug. 4-10 at Blythefield Country Club.  Tickets are now available online.   Proceeds from the tournament will support local food pantries through Meijer’s Simply Give program.

A community concert featuring country singers Gary Allan, Big & Rich, Kris Hitchcock and Small Town Son is scheduled for Saturday Aug. 9.  Concert tickets range in price from $10- $30.

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