Tag Archives: Special Olympics

Pine Rest, Spectrum South to be added to bus route

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Starting Aug. 29, the Clyde Park south route 10 will change. (Supplied)

With Byron Township’s decision to not renew its contact with The Rapid, the transportation agency took the opportunity to realign its south Clyde Park Avenue route (Route 10) to serve some of the area’s critical destinations.

Starting Aug. 29, the route will include new stops at the Special Olympics and Disability Advocates of Kent County facility on 68th Street, Cutlerville’s Pine Rest location, and the Spectrum Health South Pavilion.

“We are proud to work with The Rapid to create a new bus stop and turnaround on Pine Rest’s Cutlerville campus,” said Pine Rest President Mark Eastburg. “Access to transportation is essential for our community and this service will greatly benefit our friends and neighbors who are seeking care at Pine Rest, as well as our employees who can now choose public transpiration as an option. Providing more access to our campus gives more opportunity to receive mental health and emergency care at Pine Rest’s psychiatric urgent care center.”

At its June board meeting, Byron Township did not vote in favor of renewing its contract with The Rapid, which previously funded a portion of Route 10 south of 54th Street. This provided an opportunity to evaluate and change route patterns to serve critical destinations.

Beginning on Aug. 29, Route 10 will have stops at:

  • Special Olympics Michigan (SOMI) campus and Disability Advocates of Kent County
  • Pine Rest
  • Spectrum Health South Pavilion

The reroute impacts some of the existing stops along Route 10. Several stops along Division Avenue and 68th Street will be eliminated. The stops along 54th street will remain to serve Route 1 – Division but will no longer be used as stops for Route 10. Northbound stops along Clyde Park will remain in service south of 54th Street.The Rapid also operates the Go!Bus paratransit services that provide rides to ADA-eligible customers within its service area. With transit agencies being required to provide services within three-fourth of a mile of their fixed-transit routes, the areas served by Go!Bus will shift around the new route configuration.

“It’s great working with the Rapid staff to provide a workable solution for the new Special Olympics campus,” said Disability Advocates of Kent County Executive Director Dave Bulkowski. “The new routing will provide a mainline bus stop in front of our facilities on 68th Street. This makes it safer for transit customers by eliminating the need to cross five lanes of traffic to access Disability Advocates and the Special Olympics campus. With these stops, we also maintain Go!Bus paratransit service which is absolutely critical for our staff, volunteers, and participants.”

The updates to Route 10 will ultimately help drive The Rapid’s efforts in cultivating a more equitable community in all six-plus cities by providing access to these essential services.

“This realignment will provide safer access to the Special Olympics of Michigan campus and co- located services provided by Disability Advocates of Kent County. It will also allow for greater access to employment opportunities for our six-cities residents,” said Deb Prato, CEO of The Rapid. “We work hard to build partnerships and innovative services to meet the needs of the community we serve.”

To review the changes to Route 10 (Clyde Park), visit ridetherapid.org.

SpartanNash launches companywide fundraising effort for Special Olympics

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SpartanNash hosts a campaign for Special Olympics. (Supplied)

By Adrienne Chance
SpartanNash

The SpartanNash Foundation invites grocery store guests to join it in supporting more than 90,000 Special Olympics athletes and State Summer Games in eight states through a companywide fundraising effort taking place through May 16.

During the 12-day fundraiser, guests who visit any participating SpartanNash-owned retail store or fuel center in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin will have the opportunity to donate $1, $5, $10 or round up to the nearest dollar at any checkout lane, or online through Fast Lane. One hundred percent of donations will benefit local Special Olympics athletes and State Summer Games. SpartanNash underwrites the costs to run the scan campaign, contributes funding, encourages associates to volunteer with local Special Olympics affiliates, and helps employ Special Olympics athletes.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

“SpartanNash and the SpartanNash Foundation have proudly partnered with the Special Olympics for nearly four decades, but this year carries a whole new level of meaning,” said Adrienne Chance, vice president of communications for SpartanNash and executive director of the SpartanNash Foundation. “Despite setbacks associated with the pandemic, these athletes have persevered in their training. Their dedication and focus are inspiring, and it is our privilege to cheer them on and raise funds to offer more social inclusion opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.”

“While a lot has changed for our organization over the past year, the unwavering support of SpartanNash has not,” said Tim Hileman, Special Olympics Michigan president and CEO. “We’re thankful for the opportunity to partner once again on this annual fundraising campaign that not only helps raise crucial funds, but also shines the spotlight on our inspiring athletes.”

For a complete list of stores participating in the companywide scan campaign and the eight Special Olympics affiliates they will support, visit spartannash.com/foundation-scans.

Partnership with Special Olympics

SpartanNash has been the Presenting Sponsor of the Special Olympics Michigan Summer Games since 1985. The company has also supported Special Olympics Minnesota Summer Games since 2003.

In addition to nearly $9.4 million in financial support over the course of the 37-year partnership, SpartanNash associates and their families have also volunteered thousands of hours helping at the State Summer Games.