#21 Feeding America West Michigan

So, I started this year long adventure with Mission Allendale. They receive a food truck from Feeding America West Michigan that is then distributed to those in need. So as I am embarking on the 2nd half of this adventure, where better to go then to the place where those shipments begin? Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank is that location. I cannot begin to tell you how incredible this place is. They are the distribution center for the entire West Side of the State. 24 MILLION pounds of food went through this location in the past year alone. Can you imagine???? Rather than that food ending up in a landfill, it was salvaged and put into the mouths of the hungry here in West Michigan. What an amazing gift. I arrived to find that this day we would be taking fresh cabbage, cleaning it up and preparing it for delivery to the mobile food pantries. The Food Bank had received a shipment of cabbage that was left in the sun and had received damage to the outer leaves. We removed those outer leaves and found thousands of pounds of amazing beautiful cabbage underneath. It was so fulfilling to know that this would be feeding so many people in our great state, I just love this place. How does one facility possibly handle 24 Million Pounds of food in a year?????? With LOTS AND LOTS of help. This is where you come in. Have you ever wanted to make a difference??? Here is a simple way. They have opportunities every day Monday -Saturday for you get involved. If you are interested in learning more about their mission, or lending a hand....please contact them at http://www.feedingamericawestmichigan.org/

#20 Michigan Abolitionist Project

Be the Difference......that is the name I am using for this little blog of mine. It is my goal to BE THE DIFFERENCE in my lifetime. As part of this birthday adventure, 40 projects to celebrate 40th birthday, I have found many ways to accomplish this task. I am now 1/2 way through this adventure and I have been truly touched by each organization I have come into contact with. I found a volunteer opportunity with Michigan Abolitionist Project that was just too important to pass up. Have you ever heard of Human Trafficking? Did you know that it affects people worldwide? Did you know that that includes West Michigan in the United States of America? I can truly say that I never took this into consideration. As I researched this more, I was shocked to say the least. How did I not know more about this? In any event, my eyes were opened and I wanted to do something about it. So, I talked to the people at Michigan Abolitionist Project and learned a super simple way to do just that. They suggested that I contact my Senator and Representative and let them know about a bill that will be coming to them in the future. It is called the "Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking" bill. This is a bill which will make it easier for victims to stand up to the human traffickers and not risk being prosecuted for what comes out in their testimony. It protects them from being hurt twice (once by the human traffickers and once by the Justice System). I sent my letters today. I simply asked for them to carefully review the bill and consider supporting it. Will you do the same???? You can find more information at http://www.michiganabolitionistproject.org/

#19 Christian Fellowship Assembly Food Pantry, Allendale, MI

A couple of years ago our Relay for Life committee opted to use canned goods to weigh down our luminaria bags. We needed to find something to do with all those canned goods once our event was over. I have driven by these signs so many times on the way to and from my children's school, that I couldn't think of a better place to send the food we had collected. This time, I got to actually see that food get into the hands of those who could use it the most :) This pantry is operated every week. People are invited to come for a delicious meal. While they are eating, there are volunteers in the pantry filling grocery bags and/or boxes with the foods requested. Each family is given a list of items currently available in the pantry and based on their family size, they can choose which items they would like to have in their home for the week. My job tonight was to fill their bags and boxes as they enjoyed their meals. Did I say how much I LOVE this birthday celebration???? It was so rewarding to know that 40+ families went home with much needed groceries tonight. THANK YOU Christian Fellowship Assembly for letting me be a part. If you would like to help in the pantry, they do this every Wednesday night. If you are not in Allendale, then I suggest you find another food pantry and give a hand there. If you are in Allendale and you want to help then contact Christian Fellowship Assembly at http://www.cfachurch.org/ I found that this link is not as user friendly as some. Trust me, if you contact them at (616)895-7614 they can get you connected to the people in charge of the food pantry. They are waiting for your call :)

#18 BINGO TENT - St. Mary's Church, Knights of Columbus Fundraiser

Ok, so how can you celebrate a birthday and not have at least a little bit of FAIR FOOD???? Have you ever been to the fair and seen the Bingo tent set up? I have wandered past it many times and never thought anything of it. I might play a game or two and that was the extent of it. But I now have a different understanding. This is an event that helps many great organizations raise funds to support their efforts. This year I was invited to work the Bingo Tent at the Berlin Fair. The proceeds raised that evening and throughout the week were to help St. Mary's Church of Marne and specifically their Knights of Columbus continue with their programs. If you have ever wanted to help a church committee or mission team, I would ask that you contact your church leaders and gauge their needs. If you are not a member of any specific church talk to your family and friends and see if their churches may have need for volunteers. The link for St. Mary's Church is listed below. If you are interested, please contact them to see where you can lend a hand. www.saintmarysmarne.org

#17 RELAY FOR LIFE

RELAY FOR LIFE OF ALLENDALE (Soon to be known as MAC Marne/Allendale/Coopersville Relay for Life) is a key fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. This is an event that began when one man, Dr. Gordy Klatt decided he wanted to make a difference in the lives of those affected with Cancer. He began a movement that has raised BILLIONS of dollars for cancer research and is now holding events just like this one around the world. I came upon this event a number of years ago, following the deaths of my amazing Mother-In-Law, Sheila Greeley and my grandfather, William Steenhagen. I wanted to make a difference too :) I attended the first Relay alone. But the funny thing is, I never for one moment felt alone that night. I was instantly a part of a community of people that had experienced what I had experienced and others that had a more personal experience with Cancer (their own diagnoses and treatments). I believe this will always be a part of my life. Every year I brought more and more people to this event. I have gone from being a Relayer, to being on the Committee in charge of Ceremonies, to facilitating a group of other relay committee members on how to run Ceremonies, to being in charge of Ceremonies and Survivorship to finally being the Committee Chair for the entire event. This is my cause. Since the time I began with Relay, MANY more friends and family members have heard the words "YOU HAVE CANCER". This is my way to stand with them and let them know they are not alone in this fight. The pictures include myself with our amazing keynote speaker for the 2013 Event, Laine Steenhagen. Yes, she is my family. My cousin. And a cancer SURVIVOR!!!!!! One of my favorite parts of the event is the Survivor Ceremony where we take a moment to celebrate with those who have beat cancer!!! I have included a picture of our survivors. They always wear purple and they are ALWAYS the focus of our event!!!! The pictures also include pictures from our event, including setting out the luminarias for our luminaria ceremony in which we honor our loved ones who we have won the battle with cancer, and remember the loved ones who succumbed to the disease. Our theme this year was "Beating Cancer to the Finish Line", hence the cardboard car race :) If you are looking for a way to take a stand against cancer I hope you will consider donating your time and efforts to RELAY FOR LIFE. Here is a link you can follow to find an event in your area. I promise if you attend one event, you will never forget the experience. http://www.relayforlife.org/