#4 Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity Polar Plunge Habitat for Humanity's philosophy is that low income families don't need a hand out, they need a hand up. In 1968, 42 half acre lots were set out, capital was donated from around the country, homes were built and sold to families in need at no profit and with no interest loans. Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity includes Spring Lake, Ferrysburg and Grand Haven. This year they hope to build 3 homes and rehab another 20 homes through their program "A Brush With Kindness". HOW INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! To learn more about volunteer opportunities with Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity go to generalinfo@tricitieshabitat.org

One of their fundraisers was the 2nd Annual Polar Plunge. These brave souls were willing to jump in the water in Michigan in January. Each jumper donated $20.00 to "take the plunge". I have to tell you, they were having a great time. Some came in costume and some just came ready to get wet! As i continue on this birthday journey, I continue to learn just how necessary it is to have volunteers to make these events come together. Each volunteer has so little to do, but without each of us, the WHOLE event would never get off the ground. Please consider donating your time to this or any organization. Be the difference in your community!!!! Enjoy some of the pictures from the day.....until next time........

#3 Allendale Nursing and Rehabilitation. So today was the day for #3 in my birthday adventure. I was scheduled to assist the residents at Allendale Nursing and Rehabilitation with their Saturday morning Bingo Game. My father would have loved this adventure. He was such a fan of BINGO! Unfortunately, when i arrived I was sent back home.....the FLU has arrived at the facility and all activities have been cancelled until they have it under control. So, alas, this will need to be rescheduled. I am looking forward to this activity when the time comes :) Stay tuned...............

#2 Gilda's Club Grand Rapids Such a fun night :) Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids is a free cancer support community of children, adults, families and friends. This is a location for those affected by cancer (directly or indirectly) to come together and gain access to a support community to help them through their Journey. I can honestly say, I have never been to this location and NOT felt the love and kindness of their staff and volunteers. You walk into the building and from the first step, you feel welcome. The staff and volunteers work together to serve meals to the guests before they separate for their their meetings. Upon arriving I was directed to the Kitchen. I was greeted by some other volunteers and Charles one of the staff members. Charles led us that night in preparing, serving and cleaning up after a lasagna dinner complete with salad, fruit, chips and even apple pies. It was a great time. The other volunteers and I had so much fun getting to know one another and just working together in the kitchen. The guests that night came in and out of the kitchen, thanked us for their meals and just made themselves at home. It was great. I am continually amazed that such simple tasks (like preparing, serving and cleaning up after a meal) could mean so much to so many people. Can you spare a couple of hours? If you can, please contact Gilda's Club. The website is http://www.gildasclubgr.org Contact them and find all the ways you can help out this incredible organization and make a difference in the lives of those affected by Cancer.

Ok, so I didn't receive the pictures yet from my first adventure for 2013. Note to self......take your own pictures :) Here are a few that I was able to borrow from Mission Allendale's website. I really was moved that day! I wish I had the pictures to show you more.......lesson learned. If you want to be a part of their ministry and mission.....please contact them at http://www.missionallendale.com/ This week I look forward to my 2nd and 3rd adventures....more to come.

Opportunity #1 - Mission Allendale WOW!!!!!!!!! Can I just say that this is the best birthday celebration EVER!!!! I cannot remember a time when I felt so alive! It is amazing to make complete strangers smile :) I am so excited to see what this year holds. Saturday morning Alexis and I arrived at New Options High School in Allendale at 9:00 a.m. We were met with friendly faces directing us to Tim. He gave us a quick rundown of how things work. As we waited for the truck to arrive, we were introduced to the rest of the volunteers and the guests started arriving. The early arrivals signed in for a drawing which would determine the position they would be in line when we started. Just before the truck arrived, all of the volunteers met together to pray for what we were about to do, to pray for the guests who came to receive a blessing that day and to pray for God to move in the lives of those we met today. It was pretty incredible. As soon as we finished prayer, the truck arrived. We began by unloading thousands of pounds of food from the truck and moving it into the gym. The next step was to determine what was in the boxes and sort it out. Some of the food received was fresh produce that needed to be separated and put into smaller bags so that each guest would receive some. Once the food was sorted and put onto tables, each guest was called one by one. My job at this point was to walk through with the guest as they loaded their shopping cart with the food they would take home to their family. Once they had been through the line I would walk them to their car, unload the groceries and then return to the gym to do it all over again with the next guest in line. The guests received food including, yogurt, potatoes, peppers (red and green), onions, lettuce (various types), bananas, asparagus, brocolli, cauliflower, tomatoes, cookies, pears, mushrooms, apple slices, parmesan cheese, watermelon, canteloupe, 2-3 loaves of bread and a loaf of sweet bread. I am told that this varies with every delivery. Mission Allendale gives out this amount of food approximately every two weeks. They do this on Saturday mornings or Thursday afternoons. They dispurse over 5000+ pounds of food each month in our community. The following is a list of tentative dates for food distribution in 2013: Thursday Jan 17 5:00 PM Saturday Feb. 2nd 10:00 AM Thursday Feb. 14th at 5:00 PM Thursday March 7th at 5:00 PM Thursday March 21st at 5:00 PM Thursday April 4th at 5:00 PM Thursday April 18th at 5:00 PM Thursday May 23rd at 5:00 PM Saturday June 8th at 10:00 AM Thursday June 27th at 5:00 PM Thursday July 11th at 5:00 PM Thursday July 25th at 5:00 PM Thursday August 15th at 5:00 PM Saturday September 7th at 10:00 AM Thursday September 19th at 5:00 PM Saturday October 5th at 10:00 AM Thursday Oct 17th at 5:00 PM Thursday November 7th at 5:00 PM Thursday November 21st at 5:00 PM Thursday December 12th at 5:00 PM If you are interested in helping a FANTASTIC organization by blessing those in need in Allendale, please contact Mission Allendale at www.missionallendale.com I was too busy to get my camera out. However, there was a photographer there with us that day and I will add pictures as soon as I recieve them. Stay tuned people, this is just the beginning :)