For their 50th anniversary, Erhardt Construction has decided to donate $45,000 in services, among other cash prizes, to a local nonprofit. And it's the public who decides which nonprofit will win.
Have you ever found yourself without transportation for a couple of hours, or perhaps even a day or so? It's a hassle and a bit frustrating to rely on others or reschedule meetings. Now, can you imagine not having transportation to a time-sensitive, life-saving medical treatment? The American Cancer Society understands and has been providing free rides for years for patients who have been diagnosed with cancer through their "Road to Recovery" program -- and it's completely driven by volunteers. This essential program has seen significant growth lately, both in patients needing the service and in volunteers providing the transportation. With gas prices and unemployment rising, more cancer patients are requiring assistance to reach critical medical appointments and therapies. Not to mention that more people are being diagnosed with cancer each year -- an estimated 3,500 in Kent and Ottawa County this year alone. That's an increase of over 4 percent. "After the first few rides I provided, I realized how much people depend on us to get them to the treatments that were saving their lives," explains Sandy Soet, a volunteer driver of over 15 years who also lost her mother to cancer. "The wonderful feeling I got from helping these patients outweighed any residual sadness I had from my own mother's passing." Laura Pridgeon, health initiatives coordinator for the American Cancer Society, agrees. "By giving people a ride to treatment, volunteers are providing a service that they simply can't measure -- it is truly lifesaving." If you would like to be a do-gooder: • Volunteer to become a "Road to Recovery" driver by calling 1-800-227-2345 • Learn more about American Cancer Society programs and services at their website • Make a donation to support the "Road to Recovery" program here Source: Emily Coyle, American Cancer Society Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor
It's actually been around for years, but texting a donation to a charity is just beginning to make an impact, particularly with natural disaster relief. You may have texted a donation to a national organization to help the victims of hurricanes in the United States, earthquakes in Haiti or even tsunamis in Japan. However, three local nonprofits have added texting to their fundraising tool belt in the last few months. Make-a-Wish Foundation of Michigan, Kids' Food Basket and West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology have all included text-to-give campaigns as a way to make a donation to their organizations. And, all three organizations have rolled out their campaigns in conjunction with large-scale events. "It was a great way to reach a large group of people in a non-traditional way," explains Christine Lentine, Fund Development and Community Outreach Coordinator at Kids' Food Basket. It's also an innovative way to fundraise in an environment where technology seems to be moving faster than the speed of light and is an additional source of revenue when donations are on a downward slope in a sluggish economy. Results have varied with texting donations as its very presence in West Michigan is at an infancy level. It's very labor intensive behind the scenes and pricing is still at a premium for the ability to receive donations in such a way. However, these pioneering organizations have laid a foundation from which other charities can build upon. Although local text-to-give campaigns have not had nearly the same results as disaster relief on a national level, we should applaud these community charities for taking risks, creating opportunities and remaining on the cutting edge of the nonprofit sector. Keep your eye on these organizations as they are in the forefront of fundraising. To be a do-gooder: • Contribute to Make-a-Wish Foundation of Michigan through their website • Make a donation to Kids' Food Basket online here • Donate to West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology on the webSource: Christine Lentine, Kids' Food Basket Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor
Poverty is linked to hunger, homelessness, unemployment and illiteracy. "Poverty is one of our city's greatest challenges," explains Susan Broman, President of the Steelcase Foundation. It's also something Access of West Michigan has been battling for over thirty years. Their Poverty Simulation program will leave you feeling frustrated, maddened and much more empathetic to those who are trying to survive in a broken system. "In this one-hour, role-playing environment, you leave your identity at the door," says Nicole DeVries, Poverty Education Director. You become an elderly citizen, an unemployed high school graduate, or a single parent trying to feed your child on a meager income. And when it's all said and done, you hear from those who have walked in those shoes as they share their personal experiences. It's a paradigm shift in your thought process. It will change your perception of those in need and the system that was designed to assist them. That's what several schools around West Michigan are striving for by sending staff through the program. With the changing demographics in students over the last 5 years, teachers are in need of addressing poverty issues in the classroom all while maintaining, and in some cases increasing, academic performance. For instance, have you tried to learn to read or write while you are hungry? Access of West Michigan's innovative program is a magnifying glass into a harshness that most people want to ignore. It's an opportunity to catch a glimpse of our city that needs our attention, our care and our involvement. To be a do-gooder: • Sign up for a poverty simulation experience by calling Nicole DeVries at 616.774.2175 • Subscribe to the Access of West Michigan e-newsletter on their website • Make an online financial contribution to Access of West Michigan here
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