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Holiday cheer and the spirit of giving was evident at recent Wrap Up Wyoming event

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Going Local, Holidays, Kids Activities, Local Faces, Our Cities, West Michigan, , , , , ,
  • Live reindeer from GG Reindeer Farm came to visit (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Brianna Pena Wojtanek, Wyoming Communications Specialist, was excited to see the reindeer (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • All ages joined in at the craft tables! (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Wyoming PD officers created a festive sleigh (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Members of the Fire Department helped collect the clothing donations(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Wyoming PD Wrap Up Wyoming (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Council Member-At-Large Tommy Brann (left) and Mayor Kent Vanderwood showed their support of the holiday event (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)
  • Jingle Jams, led by Parks and Recreation Director Krashawn Martin (left) and Wyoming Senior Center Chad Boprie, were a favorite! (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, live music and cookie decorating were only a few highlights of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department’s new holiday event, Wrap Up Wyoming (WUW), that took place Friday, Dec. 1.

Not only did the holiday festivities help bring residents and neighbors together for an evening of fun at the Wyoming Senior Center, WUW also kickstarted a donation drive that will run throughout the month of December.

Wrapping Wyoming in warmth

Warm winter clothing was a greater need in the Wyoming area this year (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

After talking with school partners and other community members, it became apparent there was a great need for warm winter clothing.

“What a lot of the schools need more than anything are coats, hats and boots for their students,” said Krashawn Martin, Wyoming Parks and Recreation Director. “Things that go well beyond the holidays [and] into the colder months.”

Attendees donated new warm clothing such as hats, gloves, scarves, coats and boots. The collected items will be distributed to Wyoming area schools.

“The reason we do this is so that residents can give back to the City, and to residents in need,” said Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood. “Part of my heart and my passion is to help those who need help.

“Sometimes it’s hard for people to know how they should give gifts at Christmas to those in need. By donating in this way, it makes it a little easier for them. I really enjoy the giving part of it.”

The Wyoming Jazz Band played several festive tunes (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Also in attendance was Tommy Brann, Wyoming City Council Member-At-Large, who likened the festivities to a Hallmark movie.

“This reminds you of a Hallmark movie where it brings the community together, and everybody is in a good mood,” said Brann.

Santa and Mrs. Claus were available for pictures and a merry chat (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Brann went on to say that he wishes the donation drive could continue all year. “People need help year-round, but this is a great thing, and I’m glad Wyoming is doing this.”

Martin agreed that there is a great need for help and support – and the City will step forward to meet that need.

“Anything we can do here at the City of Wyoming and as a community to meet that need for our families, we are looking and willing to do,” said Martin.


Music, Santa, and Cookies – Oh My!

Those with a sweet tooth could decorate their own cookie (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Special performances by the Wyoming Jazz Band and storytime with KDL Branch Librarian Adrianna Triche provided festive experiences for all age groups.

Seeing children’s faces light up with smiles was Martin’s favorite part of the event.

“Anything that is going to bring a smile to a child’s face,” said Martin. “When they come in, their faces are going to light up when they see the Christmas tree, when they see Santa…There are some fun surprises tonight.”

WPD Officers Tyler Zbikowski and Jack Tromp show off their cookie decorating skills (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Live reindeer from GG Reindeer Farm were in attendance, and allowed pictures and petting. Santa and Mrs. Claus were available for pictures and merry conversation, and WKTV Community Media recorded holiday greetings for city officials and residents.

Members of Wyoming Public Safety also participated in the festivities. Members of the fire department organized and collected clothing donations, and several police officers joined in at the craft tables and cookie decorating stations.

A Jingle Jam Sing-A-Long led by Martin and Wyoming Senior Center Director Chad Boprie rounded out the evening.

A new holiday tradition

KDL Branch Librarian Adrianna Triche read a holiday story to the crowd
(Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“This event is a wonderful way to ring in the holiday season and spend quality time with friends and family,” said Martin. “It’s the perfect opportunity to talk to your little ones about the importance of lending a hand and giving back to your community.”

Boprie said that, since having his own children, he sees the importance of events like WUW that provide ways for people to connect with one another.

“Ever since having kids, my view on things like this has totally shifted,” said Boprie. “Even more, I see the importance of events like this to bring the community together, to create family traditions that you can pass on and share with your kids.”

It takes a village

Clothing donations will be distributed among local schools (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“[For] events like this, it takes a team, it takes a village,” said Martin. “The Parks and Recreation team does a lot to prepare months in advance, but we can’t do events like this without the community support we receive.

“We are grateful for our City leaders and for our sponsors – LMCU and Challenge Island – to help make things like this possible.”

If you were unable to attend but would still like to donate, WUW donation bins are available at Wyoming City Hall through the month of December.

To learn more about the City of Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department, click here.

Wyoming Police Department officers joined in the fun at Wrap Up Wyoming

Citizen Journalism, City of Wyoming, Going Local, Holidays, Kids Activities, Our Cities, , , ,
Wyoming Police Department Officers Tyler Zbikowski and Jack Tromp showed off their decorating skills at Wrap Up Wyoming (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)



By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Wyoming PD officers helped children with their crafts – and made their own! (Courtesy, Becci Schumaker)

Wyoming Police Department Officers Zbikowski and Tromp showed off their cookie decorating skills at the first annual Wrap Up Wyoming holiday event!

Formerly known as Wyoming Gives Back, the City’s reimagined annual holiday event bore a new name and location on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

Wrap Up Wyoming took place at the Wyoming Senior Center, and featured musical and storytime performances, live reindeer, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, crafts, and cookie decorating. Donations of winter clothing items were collected and will be distributed among students at local schools.

Merriment and holiday cheer filled the Senior Center halls as families and City officials took part in holiday festivities!

Wrap up and get festive! Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department to host Wrap Up Wyoming holiday event Dec. 1

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A new Wyoming holiday tradition focuses on giving back during the holiday season (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Wrap up and get festive at the City of Wyoming’s new holiday event, Wrap Up Wyoming!

Hosted by the Wyoming Parks & Recreation Department, Wrap Up Wyoming (WUW) is a free, family-friendly event that will be held Friday, Dec. 1 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Wyoming Senior Center (WSC), 2380 DeHoop Ave SW.

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

WUW will be the kickoff event to a donation drive that runs throughout the month of December. Attendees are asked to donate new, warm clothing such as hats, gloves, scarves, coats and boots. The collected items will be donated to Wyoming area schools.

Meeting a need through change

“This is a reimagining of Wyoming Gives Back, [with] some of the same elements that were there previously,” said Martin, adding that the most noticeable variation is the giving element.

Previously, donations consisted of toys that were then given to the Salvation Army. Martin said the City is still accepting toy donations internally, with drop-off sites located at all City buildings.

After talking with school partners and other community members, however, a greater need was revealed.

“What a lot of the schools need more than anything are coats, hats and boots for their students,” said Martin. “Things that go well beyond the holidays into the colder months.”

What to expect at WUW

(Courtesy, Wyoming Parks & Rec)

The WUW event will feature musical acts from Godwin Heights High School Percussionists and Wyoming Public Schools Jazz Band, cookie decorating, a hot cocoa station, and several crafts.

Several holiday displays will highlight different holiday traditions reflected in the Wyoming community.

Wyoming Public Safety will be in attendance with their vehicles for a Touch-A-Truck opportunity, and attendees can look forward to a visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus – and live reindeer from GG Reindeer Farm.

“We are going to utilize the whole space,” said Martin of WSC. “Most of the crafts and musical performances will take place inside, but we’ll have a staging area set up outside with the reindeer. It will be a good opportunity for kids and families.”

A community effort

The Parks & Rec Department is working with several local organizations to ensure WUW is a success – and to also provide a unique opportunity for a certain group of community members.

Empower U, a Kent ISD program for individuals with special needs who have aged out of the K-12 system, provides specialized instruction, employment opportunities and independent living skills.

“They have been coming and doing some volunteer work at the senior center, providing them with job training,” said Martin. “After the event, they are going to come and go through all of the warm items and sort things for us so they are ready for us to take out to the schools.”

Let the festivities begin!

Lend a hand, give back, and ring in the holiday season at WUW (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

WUW is open to everyone to attend, so come join in the spirit of giving and fun festivities.

If you are unable to attend but would still like to donate, WUW donation bins are available at City Hall now through the month of December.

“This event is a wonderful way to ring in the holiday season and spend quality time with friends and family,” said Martin. “It’s the perfect opportunity to talk to your little ones about the importance of lending a hand and giving back to your community.

“We hope to create a fresh, even newer holiday tradition for everyone in Wyoming.”

For more information about Wrap Up Wyoming, please contact the City of Wyoming Parks & Recreation team at 616-530-3164, parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or www.wyomingmi.gov.