Working together to make a difference, Grand Rapids

Whether we’re supporting a big program or a small one, we measure our impact one child at a time. And as momentum builds around the One by One campaign, we are seeing some amazing results.

Our grants make the simplest of dreams a reality for children in West Michigan.  They make it possible for mentally and physically disabled children to experience something so many kids take for granted –  a week at summer camp with no barriers. And a handicapped-accessible playground closer to home for the other 51 weeks of the year.

Often it’s the smallest things that mean the most, like giving 3,000 children their first book of their very own. And because they only have so much room on their bookshelves at home, we’ve funded brand new libraries for students at three inner-city schools.

Reading, writing and arithmetic are important, but we also want to make sure that kids have opportunities to grow into well-rounded individuals as well.  That’s why we provide arts education support to 800 children in our community, and sponsor YMCA’s Healthy U program so that 300 children can learn the value of healthy diet and exercise.

Perhaps even more profound, we see our employees taking the One by One cause to heart.  No less than 44 classrooms benefited from our employees teaching Junior Achievement this year. During our United Way campaign in September, more than 200 employees helped with clean-up and maintenance at two local kids camps.

Through our 17-year partnership with a local inner-city school, employees gave nearly 2,500 hours of their time last year to the kids who need it most.  Whether they served as a weekly tutor to one of more than 30 students, or hosted one of the 60 “interns for a day” as part of Career Day, our employees have empowered these students with the knowledge that they are worthwhile, and that they control their own futures.

And it starts at the top. Since January, 117 of our managers and executives got their hands dirty building decks and landscaping at Bethany Christian Services, an adoption and family services organization. Dozens of departments chose to spend a day out of the office volunteering at a community project. We trained and actively support more than 50 executives who serve on nonprofit boards. Many are involved in major initiatives to address issues like early childhood development, education, literacy, disabilities and hunger – and that includes our president and chairman.

Overall, 1,039 employees volunteered over 6,825 hours this year – and that’s only through September (and doesn’t include Quixtar employees). The combined impact of our volunteer programs and corporate contributions impacted 70,000 children in the West Michigan community. One by one, we’re making a difference… and we’re just getting started!