#7 Dash Down Division - Fundraiser for Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center This was a 5k that was run this morning, Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. The volunteers arrived at 7:30 for their assignments. My job today was to be a Course Marshall. I needed to keep vehicles from exiting the side street onto the runner's course. At 8:45 we put on our reflective vests and loaded onto the bus. They dropped each volunteer at a different street. Then we waited. I was the second street after the start of the race. I saw people from a young boy, to a mayor, to a woman walking with a cane for the entire course. IT WAS AMAZING. All of the funds raised today will go to the scholarship fund for the Kroc Center. The community center is "a 105,000 square foot education, fitness, recreation, cultural arts and worship facility with a 20-acre outdoor campus." The literature for the Center provides that "The Kroc Center was made possible by a substantial gift from the late philanthropist Mrs. Joan Kroc, as well as the generous support of individuals, families and organizations throughout West Michigan." Their vision is "to see individuals of all ages, creeds and nationalities discover their natural giftedness and potential through education, the arts, sports and the development of the spirit by providing a campus of opportunity in a holistic, Christ-centered atmosphere". Can you imagine a greater vision?????? If you would like to volunteer with the Kroc Center, you can contact them at www.grkroccenter.org

#6 MANNA MEALS. Manna Ministries is a non-profit that provides sack suppers to low income children in Allendale Public Schools. I met at Lifestream Church and began slicing various types of bread to be used in preparing peanut butter sandwiches to be added to the sack dinners. We needed to make approximately 150-160 sandwiches for delivery the next day. Manna meals serves this number of kids each day Monday - Friday. The meals are currently delivered to kids at Springview, Evergreen and Oakwood schools in Allendale, MI. The meals are prepared each night. Then the following day just before school lets out, the children are called to the office to receive their sack supper. The suppers consist of 1000 calories of food per child, generally a peanut butter sandwich (for protein), usually some pudding or yogurt for dairy, juice boxes, etc. And where does the food come from you ask???? DONATIONS. This is 100% donation run ministry. You can learn more about donating your time or dollars to this amazing ministry by visiting their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manna-Ministries/151838179240?sk=wall&filter=12

#5 Love I.N.C. Love in the Name of Christ. This organization is "the link between churches, service agencies and local individuals or families to assist with meeting financial, physical, emotional or spiritual needs". One of the ways that Love INC helps the community is through their New to You Store. Donations are accepted at their collection site on 60th Ave. The volunteers and employees join together to sort the donations to be either sold in the New to You Store or passed along to other missions. My job today began with sorting and pricing shoes for sale in the store. Once that was completed I moved on to toys. Today there were four people (three volunteers and one employee) working together to accomplish this task. Once again I find that volunteering happens for many reasons. I am truly enjoying the experience of learning about others and what motivates them. It is amazing how much you learn about someone with just a tiny conversation :) All of the items we sorted today, and many other items will be sold in the New to You Store. The proceeds from the sales go on to fund the various ministries of Love I.N.C. The various ministries include a life skills program, bike repair, food pantry, furniture, work search, transportation, baby layette and crib, medical equipment, car repair ministry,prayer network, new closet, love and stitches sewing ministry, English as a second language,showing kindness in labors of love and diaper store. To learn more about any of the ministries or how you can volunteer your time to help please go to their website at http://www.allendalelove.org Imagine the difference you can make by joining in any of these amazing ministries!!!!!

#3 COMPLETE......that's right people :) Today I was able to go back to Allendale Nursing and Rehabilitation for their Saturday Bingo Game. I arrived at 11:15. We passed out cards and chips and got the patients situated for playing. What a bunch of characters I met today. The first one was a gentleman that only wanted the middle card. Then once he had that, he ONLY wanted to use white chips to mark his card. He was funny. He had a great time giving me guff. I have to tell you, the next two hours went about the same way. My job this day was to sit at a table and help two patients with their bingo cards. The first was a man with incredibly friendly eyes. He was awake for a total of 6 bingo calls and then he dozed off. He awoke two hours later when I called out bingo for his total card bingo win :) The other was a woman who had a great sense of humor. I began by pointing out each number as it was called (i was instructed that the people at my table would need assistance) After about 10 numbers she just looked at me and smiled. I asked her if she was NOT needing my help. She just laughed. We continued to play side by side for the rest of the time. I only helped when the caller spoke too fast or she couldn't reach the spot to lay down her bingo chip. Can I just say......this was a FANTASTIC way to start my morning. I am told that they offer numerous volunteering opportunities at Allendale Nursing and Rehabilitation. You can volunteer to do such things as help at a bingo game, paint nails of patients, read to patients, spend one on one time with them (play a card game or board game or put puzzles together). They have activities happening almost on a daily basis. If you have time in your day and you want to connect with some really amazing people and be the bright spot in their day.....PLEASE call and schedule a time to volunteer. It means so much to the patients. Until next time...........