Tag Archives: Volunteers

Growing Hope: H.O.P.E. Gardens provides essential food and resources for Wyoming families

1-featured, Area Education, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Education, Environment, Food, Going Local, Health, Kent County, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Local Food, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Recreation, Volunteers, West Michigan, , , , , , , , , , ,
Growing Dreams: A New Community Garden for Families & Neighbors (Video courtesy of H.O.P.E. Gardens)


By AnchorPoint Christian School Youth Contributors


AnchorPoint students help plant garlic in the new garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

H.O.P.E. Gardens stands for Help Other People Eat. Located in Grand Rapids, H.O.P.E. Gardens is dedicated to making a positive change in local communities by helping families and individuals grow their own food.

Teaching community members how to cultivate fresh and sustainable food resources gives individuals and families better access to nutritious and affordable food.

Originally founded in 2004 by Byron Center resident Gary Lemke, H.O.P.E. Gardens has since expanded to educate Wyoming organizations and other local communities on the importance of sustainable food resources.

Family Network of Wyoming (FNW) has partnered with H.O.P.E. Gardens to provide that resource for local families.

“When we have gardens, and when we have access to fresh fruits and vegetables, it helps impact health,” said Javonte Tubbs, Executive Director at Family Network of Wyoming.

“If you eat healthy fruits and vegetables all day, you’re going to be in great health. Fresh fruits and vegetables have a lot of nutrients and vitamins and good things for your body.”

Realizing a dream, meeting a need

AnchorPoint Christian School – in collaboration with FNW, H.O.P.E. Gardens Executive Director Julie Brunson, and Express Employment Professionals & Specialized Recruiting Group of Grand Rapids owner Janis Petrini – recently helped install a no-till nature-based garden in Wyoming.

(Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

This garden came to fruition as a way to honor Theresa Drost, a valued employee of Express Pros who recently passed away.

“Theresa’s passion was having a garden and a beautification place around the garden,” said Tubbs. “Janis and Julie got together to find a location to have a garden in memory of Theresa. Family Network of Wyoming had the space and wanted to do a garden as well. It was a perfect partnership.”

That dream was realized as AnchorPoint students prepared the land to begin a new garden where local families will come together to grow food and community.

(Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

“The Kent County Needs Assessment states that one out of six adults experiences food insecurity,” said Tubbs. “That means we need more community gardens, we need more access to healthy fruits and vegetables. Pantries and gardens are places that provide that access.”

Tubbs says there will be people from the community who come to help plant the food, and who will also receive some of that food for their families. And Tubbs plans to join in the fun.

“I love to help,” Tubbs said. “What makes people want to help is a sense of community, a sense of togetherness.”

Butterfly gardens and toad houses – both excellent contributors to the environment – can also be found at H.O.P.E. Gardens.

A willingness to help

Tubbs joined FNW in October of 2023 and said he enjoys both the people and the work.

(Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

“I like Julie and H.O.P.E. Gardens because they have a passion to connect people with healthy fruit and vegetables,” said Tubbs.

“My favorite part of working at Family Network is the volunteers,” Tubbs continued. “Their passion to help, their willingness to be there, to be present, and to be there with smiles. There is a lot of great energy there; everybody is willing to help.”

Growing food…and passion!

H.O.P.E. Gardens is making a change that begins with our youth and fostering a passion for growing food through interactive, eco-friendly learning experiences.

That passion is evident in the students at AnchorPoint. These local students will continue helping with the FNW garden by planting seeds in the spring and participating in the harvest.

(Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

Resource links

For more information about H.O.P.E. Gardens, visit hopegardensgr.org. To learn more about the Family Network of Wyoming, visit fntw.org.

*View the “Growing Dreams” garden photo gallery below, courtesy of Kim Omanchi, APCS:

  • AnchorPoint students are welcomed and receive instruction on how to begin the new garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students begin laying the foundation for the garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students receive instruction on how to plant garlic (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students plant garlic in the new garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students plant garlic in the new garden (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)
  • Students enjoyed donuts after their hard work (Courtesy, Kim Omanchi APCS)

Contributors

This article was written and produced by the 3rd-4th grade students of Wyoming’s AnchorPoint Christian School under the direction of Team 2 teacher Kim Omanchi.

Team 2: Henry Bloomer, Elijah Ducher, Henrik Gagnon, Leonard Gagnon, Jaxon Glas, Logan Henderson, Toby Lehnen, Alan Perez, Nathan Simeon, Joseph Vasquez and Kareen Zuiderveen

Volunteers needed for Wyoming community tree planting event May 17

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Trees provide incredible benefits to the communities in which they are planted (Courtesy photo)



By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


ReLeaf Michigan, a statewide non-profit tree organization, in collaboration with the Wyoming Tree Commission: The Tree Amigos, Godfrey-Lee Public School District, and MDNR Urban and Community Forestry, is looking for volunteers to help plant 20 trees at the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center on Friday, May 17 from 8:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.

This event is free, but RSVPs are appreciated and can be completed here.

Helpful event details

Volunteers are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing and bring a shovel, hard rake, and work gloves if they have them.

The group will meet at Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center at 8:45 a.m. to sign in, enjoy refreshments, and watch a planting demonstration with ReLeaf Michigan’s tree experts.

Families are welcome! The event occurs rain or shine. No planting experience is necessary.


One morning of tree planting will leave an environmental legacy that will add beauty to the community for generations (Courtesy, Wyoming Tree Commission)

An environmental legacy

Trees provide incredible benefits to the communities in which they are planted. Trees improve air and water quality, reduce stormwater runoff, improve mental wellness, reduce childhood asthma rates, cool our neighborhoods, and enhance commercial and economic vitality.

Join us for the morning and leave an environmental legacy that will add to the beauty of your community for generations!

Additional information

Questions can be directed to Deb Truszkowski at dtruszkowski@godfreylee.org.

Funding for this project has been provided by the USDA Forest Service and MDNR Urban and Community Forestry Programs through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

LaughFest is accepting volunteers for March festival – register by Feb. 16!

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By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Gilda’s LaughFest is in need of volunteers to support the 2024 festival set for March 6-10.

Volunteer Registration

Volunteers can help in numerous ways leading up to and during the festival. There is no minimum requirement regarding amount of time or number of events needed to volunteer.

General volunteers can help with ushering, ticket-taking collecting donations, and wayfinding. Specialized volunteers are needed to photograph events (Photo Team); run audio, video and lights (Production Team); move supplies and people (Transportation Team); and more.

Those interested in volunteering can register at laughfestgr.org/volunteer/. New and returning volunteers can register through Feb. 16. Orientation will be provided for all volunteers on Feb. 17.

LaughFest 2024 Details

Shows and entertainers announced for the 14th annual LaughFest include: Tammy Pescatelli, Josh Johnson, Piff the Magic Dragon, Demetri Martin, and returning festival favorite – the Clean Comedy Showcase.


LaughFest 2024 includes over 40 free and ticketed shows in Grand Rapids, Holland, Lowell and Wayland’s Gun Lake Casino.

LaughFest individual tickets are available for purchase at laughfestgr.org, and at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids pop-up LaughFest stores from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Feb. 17 and March 2.

Proceeds from LaughFest and LaughFest’s High Five campaign support the free cancer and grief emotional health program offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.

Kentwood schools seek volunteers for tutoring program

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
WKTV Managing Editor
joanne@wktv.org

The high dose tutoring program is currently a pilot at the district’s Townline Elementary School. (Courtesy, Townline Elementary)

Following the proverb that “It takes a village to raise a child,” the Kentwood Public Schools has reached out to the community seeking volunteers for its new high dosage tutoring program.

Superintendent Kevin Polsten in a communication to families and the community stated the district has designed plans to support a comprehensive student recovery program due to the impacts of COVID and the school shutdowns. Through that, the district has sought out evidenced-based practices from research and best practices from the field.

 

“Our strategy for academic recovery has been multifaceted and in addition to sound core instruction has included a robust K-12 summer school, after school learning, instructional coaching and high quality professional learning for educators, parent engagement, and tiers of intervention for students,” Polston said in a statement.

As part of that plan, the district recently added high dosage tutoring to its approach in partnership with the Michigan Education Corps. High dosage tutoring is usual a one-to-one or one-to-two mentor-student ratio.

Expanding program

The program is a pilot at Townline Elementary School with district officials hoping to scale the strategy across the district.

“Partnerships are key to our success at Kentwood Public Schools and we have been fortunate to have so many long standing partners across sectors of our community,” Polsten stated, adding that the district is seeking assistance from business, non-profits and individuals interested in volunteering to help expand the tutoring program.

Tutor volunteers are asked to serve at least three hours a week at a consistent time. It could be three hours in one day or broken up across multiple days. Volunteers must attend training on academic strategies and pass a background check.

Volunteers could be college students, retirees, individuals from businesses or non-profits participating in a corporate social responsibility program.

Those who are interested in participating, or simply want to learn more, should contact Jason Lawson, executive director of elementary education at Jason.Lawson@kentwoodps.org.

Volunteers sought for West Michigan Vaccine Clinic, can get vaccine if accepted

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The West Michigan Vaccine Clinic is seeking volunteers. (Supplied)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Hoping to push yourself up in the line for the COVID vaccine? Well the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic at DeVos Place maybe able to help.

The Clinic, which is operated by Kent County, Spectrum Health and Mercy Health in collaboration with Vaccinate West Michigan, is seeking community volunteers in non-clinical roles to support the vaccine clinic.

According to officials, when the vaccine is available for the clinic to open at full capacity, approximately 150 volunteers are needed per 4-hour shift. Volunteers may assist with greeting clinic attendees, providing directional assistance, escorting attendees who need help, sanitizing and organizing supplies, performing temperature checks and more. Volunteers need not have prior healthcare experience.

To begin the volunteer process, community members ages 18 and older are asked to complete this survey with Kent County Emergency Management, which is partnering to assist with volunteer management at the clinic. Additionally, volunteers must not have any felonies or misdemeanors within the last ten years, have a valid driver’s license with no suspensions in the past five years, and not had a fever or symptoms of the COVID-19 virus for at least 14 days prior to volunteering. The survey will include authorization for a routine background check. Upon completion, eligible volunteers will receive a confirmation email and instructions for signing up for available shifts.

“Vaccinating our community is a huge undertaking. Just as our organizations are working together, we believe that the West Michigan spirit in so many of our community members will draw people to this volunteer opportunity,” said Dr. Adam London, administrative health officer at the Kent County Health Department. “We are all in this together, and we believe the COVID-19 vaccine provides great hope for us to be able to return to normal and enjoy being with our families and friends again.”

Volunteers who sign a commitment promising at least  20 hours of service  at the West Michigan Vaccine Clinic will become eligible for vaccination as a health care volunteer and part of critical infrastructure. These vaccinations will be made as soon as reasonably possible given the limitations of available vaccine supply and clinic schedule.

Volunteers will not receive pay for their time or travel; however, they will receive free parking in designated nearby parking structures and light refreshments will be provided.

Volunteers will receive training for their role immediately prior to their shift. Also, all volunteers will be required to wear a mask for their entire shift and must complete the CDC Facilities COVID-19 screening survey within four hours prior to the start of their shift.

Clinicians who are interested in volunteering are invited to complete the survey and may serve as general support volunteers. At this time, clinical roles are being staffed through partnering healthcare organizations and healthcare education partners. Should clinical volunteer shifts become available, clinical volunteers may be contacted with opportunities to fulfill such assignments.

As vaccine clinics expand and open within all west Michigan counties and with a focus on historically underserved communities, additional volunteer opportunities will arise here and with other vaccine providers.

For more information, click here.

WKTV thanks its volunteers with a special picnic featuring local food trucks

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On a beautiful day in August, almost 100 people gathered at Palmer Park in Wyoming for the WKTV’s annual volunteer party.

 

This year, WKTV hosted a picnic featuring food from Movable Feast and ice cream sundaes from Pinkie’s Ice Cream. The three-hour event included a time to recognize the many accomplishments of all of WKTV volunteers.

 

Receiving the Citizen Journalism of the Year Award was Mike Moll who has helped to lead WKTV’s sports coverage. Receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award was Brice Miller.

 

Recognized for their years of service were Mike Bacon, a Board Member and producer of Whittlin’ Time, and Bob Serulla, the voice of the Golden Gloves/Metro Cruise for 15years. For being a 20-year volunteer, Girbe Eefsting, Voices; Hung Nguyen, VMTV, and Larry Swanson, You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America, were honored. Chis Rush, from Senior Exercise, one of the longest shows on WKTV, was recognized for 25 years.

 

The following people also were honored:

 

Those who volunteered 25 hours or less:

Jane Dixson – WKTV Journal anchor

Colton Ferrier – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America

Dominique Johnson – former WKTV Journal intern

Heather Kanig – former WKTV Journal intern

Kasey Knako – former WKTV Journal intern

Phyllis Koslow – voice of the Grand Rapids Symphonette

Pat Moll – WKTV Journalism

Roger Munyon – Yestervision

Charlotte Rinderknecht – Fresian Horse Program

Chris Rush – Senior Exercise

Don Schumaker – WKTV Sports

Bob Serulla – voice of Golden Gloves/Metro Cruise

Abby Stricker – former WKTV Journal intern

Dick Visser – Board Member who last year had 20 years with WKTV

 

Those who had volunteered 26 – 50 hours

Britteny Berens – No Limits TV

Maggie Boorsma – WKTV Journal/Metro Cruise

Cynthia Johnson – Sports/Parades

Kateln Kohane – WKTV Journalism/Plus

Hung Nguyen – Board Member/VMTV

Bill Rinderknecht – WKTV Sprts/Fresian Horse Program

Matt Small – No Limits TV

 

Those who have volunteered 51 – 75 hours

Ron Schultz – WKTV Sports Announcer

Larry Swanson – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America

Chris Williams – WKTV Journalism/Sports

 

Those who have volunteered 76 – 99 hours

Carrie Bradstreet – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America

Robert Gonzalez – WKTV Sports

Sophia Maslowski – You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me America

Becchi Schumaker – WKTV Sports/Plus

 

The 100-Hour Club

Mike Bacon

Mark Bergsma

Tomas Calvo

 

Alan Dunst

Candice Floszar-Smith

Doug Hansen

Alan Headbloom

Tom Hegewald

Paul Kabelman

Mike Moll

Brice Miller

Athina Morehouse

Doug Remtema

Doug Rowland

Tom Sibley

Gary Vande Velde

 

 

It’s recognition season, so WKTV gives a big ‘thanks’ to all its volunteers

Citizen Journalism, Volunteers, WKTV Projects, , ,

Some of the volunteers from the 2015 Appreciation Dinner who recognized for their contributions.
Some of the volunteers from the 2015 Appreciation Dinner who were recognized for their contributions.

For more than 40 years WKTV has been providing quality programming for the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood thanks in large part to the many residents who volunteer their time at the station.

 

On April 1, the station will honor those volunteers at WKTV’s Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Stonewater Country Club, 7177 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Caledonia.

 

“It’s an opportunity for us to express our appreciation for all the hours put in by the volunteers in all the various aspects to the station,” said WKTV Community Media Coordinator Nate Diedrich.

 

In 2015, about 319 volunteers logged almost 9,000 volunteer hours. Through the effort of those volunteers, WKTV has been able to provide a variety of programs including the very popular Senior Exercise program, which was started in 1993, and High School Sports, which has been a part of the station’s line up for more than 30 years. A few years ago, seeing the need for hyperlocal news, WKTV added a citizens reporter section, now.wktv.org.

 

At the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, volunteers will be recognized and honored for programs and projects done at the station in 2015.

 

Some of the awards that will be resented at the dinner include the Lifetime Achievement Award, Community Service Programming Award and Volunteer of the Year. Years of service are recognized and there is a 100-Hour Club awarded to those who have volunteered more than 100 hours within the year at the station.

 

The April 1 event starts with cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the award presentation at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. Reservations must be made by March 24. To RSVP, visit www.wktv.org or mail to or visit in person, WKTV, 5261 Clyde Park SW, Wyoming, Michigan, 49509.

Church “Adoption” Bonds School & Community

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Christ Lutheran Church members donated 24 emergency buckets for Gladiola Elementary classrooms
Christ Lutheran Church members donated 24 emergency buckets for Gladiola Elementary classrooms

By: Erin Albanese – School News Network

When members of Wyoming-based Christ Lutheran Church approached Gladiola Elementary School Principal David Lyon about “adopting” the school, Lyon filled out a wish list of possible ways the church could support them. Instead of choosing one community service project, they wanted to fill all the requests, which were as diverse as helping out at Math Night to providing emergency buckets for classrooms in case of a long-term lockdown event.

“It really gives us a sense of community and of someone understanding needs that are not necessarily apparent,” Lyon said. “They asked, ‘What do you need done?’ and said, ‘Let’s make that happen for you.'”

Church member Nancy Heidrich, a retired Grandville High School teacher, helps second-grader Zoey Winship with math
Church member Nancy Heidrich, a retired Grandville High School teacher, helps second-grader Zoey Winship with math

Now church members regularly volunteer to help students in reading and math; they shelve books in the library. Their presence is felt throughout the Wyoming Public Schools building.

“We wanted to reach out to our neighbors and be of assistance,” said church member Kathy Reister, a retired pastor.

Church members of all ages have contributed. Middle school members assembled “Germ-free Buckets” for classrooms so students can easily access hand sanitizer and tissues. A Boy Scout troop made up of church members plans to spruce up the school courtyard. Members made homemade bags filled with school supplies and donated them.

On a recent Tuesday in the school hallway, church member Nancy Heidrich, a retired Grandville High School teacher, showed second-grader Zoey Winship cool addition tricks. She often reads to the students and offers a listening ear when they want to talk. “I enjoy it. I enjoy coming. I enjoy the kids,” she said.

Zoey likes it too. “She helps me with my work,” she said.

Being Prepared in Case of Emergency

Emergency buckets are stocked with items for classrooms to use in the events of a long-term shutdown
Emergency buckets are stocked with items for classrooms to use in the events of a long-term shutdown

The emergency buckets were recommended during a training offered by the Wyoming Police Department on emergency preparedness. They are something the school probably wouldn’t have purchased on its own, Lyons said, but they add a safety measure he’s thankful for.

In response to national school shootings, Gladiola, like schools nationwide, have lockdown drills, during which students practice what to do in case of an emergency.

The buckets, stocked with first-aid equipment, a flashlight, toilet paper, snacks, bandages, drinking cups, water and a fire extinguisher, will be stationed in all 24 classrooms for use in case of a real lockdown.

“It’s not a critical need until it’s a critical need,” Lyon said. “Hopefully we will never need to use them,” he said.

Be sure to check out School News Network for more stories about our great students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan!

WKTV Digital Cinema Guild and my family secret – new CJ journal

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Digital Cinema Guild logoI am about to take a very special journey into the past thanks to the new WKTV Digital Cinema Guild that launches at the WKTV Community Media Center on September 29, 2015 and continues every second Tuesday thereafter at 7:00 pm at the station on 5261 Clyde Park Avenue SW in Wyoming. This will be a very personal journey despite the fact that I have worked as a Citizen Journalist Editor for the station, and have shared a number of articles on this website. But the Digital Cinema Guild is an all-new experience.

I’ve always known that WKTV offered everyone in the community access to a vast array of equipment. However, the key word there is “vast,” and it seemed way too complicated to me to get the hang of all that gear. Ironically, for someone in the media business, I actually dreaded to even try making my own film – and by the way, when I use the word “film” I’m really talking digital media in various storytelling formats from long form narratives or shorts, and/or documentaries.

But that was then.

Grandpa
Lyman Adelbert “Del” Havens, age 16, Eighth Grade Graduation, White Creek School, Cedar Springs, MI

A secret about my grandfather came to light a few years ago, several years after his death, and suddenly the WKTV Digital Media Guild was right here, as though the Universe was saying to me, “Do this!” I have the perfect opportunity to actually create a documentary film project exploring this secret and it’s impact on our family with my sister Lynette. We’re going to work/play on this together, but the cool thing is we are not on our own!

For just $20 apiece, we are going to be guided through the film making process under the direction of successful digital film experts and industry leaders using WKTV’s state-of-the-art digital cinema equipment with coaches standing by! Even better, there are three different programs that deal with various aspects of film making:

1) Pre-production & Script writing (developing the story and figuring out how to tell it)
2) Production (using the WKTV gear to shoot the project)
3) Post-production (editing!)

At the end, WKTV will broadcast our finished project to the area communities. WOW!

Helping us along the way are two of the area’s most experienced filmmakers:

Barbara Roos, founder of Grand Valley State University’s Film & Video Program, brings more than 40 years’ experience as a scriptwriter, film maker and professor of film. She joined academia from an award-winning career in public broadcasting, both television and radio.

Girbe Eefsting, film producer for advertising agencies, corporations, governmental agencies, NGOs and NPOs, including ten years with Grand Rapids Community Media Center. In 1996, Girbe founded the Grand Valley Summer Film Program. In 2010, he founded Film Farm, specializing in media production, education and preservation.

Barbara, Girbe and WKTV will also engage established local and national filmmakers to bring their expertise to the program. I can’t wait!

I’ll be sharing my experience with the Digital Cinema Guild as Lynette and I go through the film making experience. But why not join us? We need all the brainstorming buddies we can find as we start imagining how to tell this story…and I’ll let you in on the secret as we go along.

Hope to see you there!

For more information and to register go to WKTV Digital Cinema Guild.