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Relay for Life a success

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013, 10:44am
Relay for Life a success

Rockford Relay For Life raised $318,000 for the American Cancer Society, making it one of the most successful fundraisers in the state.

Other West Michigan communities are doing their part.  During the Wyoming-Grandville Relay For Life on May 10, participants raised at least $54,857.  That same day, participants in the Grand Haven-Spring Lake Relay For Life collected at least $45,984 for the American Cancer Society.  Runners and walkers in East Grand Rapids raised at least $56,531 during their Relay For Life May 17.  On May 18, the Relay For Life of White Lake generated at least $43,211 for the American Cancer Society, while Relay For Life of Comstock Park raised at least $42,815.

And don’t count local colleges out.  In April, Grand Valley State University raised at least $85,263 during its Relay For Life, Western Michigan University collected at least $32,083 and Aquinas College raised $5,670.

Plenty more communities are planning Rel

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'Healthier Home' featured during Spring Parade of Homes

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Monday, May 20th, 2013, 4:24pm
'Healthier Home' featured during Spring Parade of Homes

ROCKFORD, Mich.—One of West Michigan’s first “Healthier Homes” will be on display during the 2013 Grand Rapids Spring Parade of Homes.

The home, located at 9309 Stone View Drive, is part of Sable Homes’ Stone Crest development in Rockford.  The 2,242 square foot house is the first of its kind in West Michigan to feature AirRenew gypsum board walls, which purify the air for 75 years, converting contaminants like formaldehyde into safe inert compounds. The walls are also moisture and mold resistant. It also contains latex paint and primer that  are free of volatile organic compounds.

The Spring Parade of Homes runs May 24 through June 8.  Tickets start at $10.

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Local post offices help 'Stamp Out Hunger' with 150,000 pounds of food donations

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 9:00am
Local post offices help 'Stamp Out Hunger' with 150,000 pounds of food donations

A pantry spokesperson says one of the nation’s largest food collection drives “went off without a hitch” in West Michigan.

Saturday, May 11 was the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.  Letter carriers picked up bags of donations left at mailboxes throughout the Grand Rapids area.  Andrew Steiner with Feeding America West Michigan says seven area post office branches collected about 150,000 pounds of food, and more is expected to trickle in throughout the week. 

Steiner says 190 volunteers helped Feeding America West Michigan staff members and letter carriers collect, sort and ship the food to the pantry’s warehouse in Comstock Park.  The donations are expected to provide roughly 117,000 meals to the one in six people struggling with hunger in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

 Participating post offices include:

  • Northwest (1625 Walker NW, Grand Rapids): 32,635 pounds
  • Patterson/East Paris (3970 South Green
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Local businesses offering freebies for moms this Mother's Day

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Friday, May 10th, 2013, 2:12pm
Local businesses offering freebies for moms this Mother's Day

West Michigan businesses are honoring moms this Mother’s Day by offering freebies.

In Grand Rapids, moms can get in free to the Grand Rapids Children Museum on Sunday, May 12.  Admission is also free for moms who visit the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek with children or grandchildren in tow.

When it comes to food, Hooters has moms covered Sunday, offering free entrees (up to $10)  for mothers who bring a kid along and buy any drink.  Hooters has 10 locations in Michigan, including a restaurant in Portage.

And don’t forget dessert!  TCBY is offering a free six ounce ‘Fro-Yo’ to mother’s this Mother’s Day weekend.  Muskegon has a TCBY stand at the K-Mart Shopping Center on Henry Street.

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Fire-Rescue Expo returns for a fourth year

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Friday, May 3rd, 2013, 8:57am
Fire-Rescue Expo returns for a fourth year

 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—See how Grand Rapids firefighters save lives during the annual Fire-Rescue Expo Saturday, May 4.

This is the fourth year for the event, which runs from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the fire department headquarters on the corner of LaGrave Avenue and Weston Street. This year’s expo will feature kids’ activities, games and a contest to become a firefighter for a day.  Visitors can also check out antique apparatus and equipment displays, take part in a fire truck driving simulator, and watch live fire and rescue demonstrations. 

Workers for the Residential Safety Program will also be on hand to answer questions and sign up people for home assessments and smoke detector installations.

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Aquinas College announces commencement speaker

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Thursday, April 18th, 2013, 9:00am

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.– The president of Carter Products Company will deliver the commencement speech to Aquinas College graduates next month.

Peter Perez will address more than 445 students on May 4.  His company, Carter Products, is a family-owned producer or accessory equipment for the industrial woodworking machinery industry.

Aquinas will award honorary doctorates this year to Bishop Walter Hurley of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, and Ellen Satterlee, CEO of the Wege Foundation.

The baccalaureate mass will take place at 10 a.m. on May 4, at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Bishop Walter Hurley will preside over the service.   Graduation ceremonies will begin at 2 p.m. in the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center on campus.

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Free program helps home and business owners deal with mercury

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Monday, April 15th, 2013, 9:00am

(ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMPANY)– The Environmental Quality Company is proud to partner with The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Mercury Collection Project.

This is an on-going effort to collect and properly recycle mercury.  Small and large business operations have traditionally been overlooked during mercury collection events.  The project’s objective is to address this issue and promote a long-term solution for easily collecting and recycling of mercury.  The program is free to anyone located in Michigan – residents included. 

The program is easy.

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