Michigan West Coast Chamber to host annual volunteer blitz

What’s happening: The Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce will host its third annual Community Impact Day on Wednesday, May 15 from 1-4 p.m. throughout West Michigan. Over 50 nonprofit organizations have already submitted service opportunities, and nearly 1,000 community members have committed to volunteer during this afternoon of service.

Volunteers at Windmill Island during a Community Impact Day.
 
What they’re saying: “This year’s event promises to be even bigger and more impactful than before,” says Jodi Owczarski, Chamber president and CEO. “In 2023, more than 950 volunteers provided our community with over $226,000 in value. This year, we’ve set a goal to have 1,500 community members volunteer alongside us to turn the ripples of influence we started then into tidal waves of positive impact now. I’m happy to share that we’re well on our way towards hitting that goal.”

The stats from West Coast Chamber's first two Community Impact Days.
 
Who’s benefiting: The following organizations have signed up to host volunteers during Community Impact Day:

• 3Sixty
• Arbor Circle
• Benjamin’s Hope
• Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland
• Camp Blodgett
• Camp Sunshine
• Cappon House
• City on a Hill
• City on a Hill – Doors of Hope
• City of Holland
• City of Zeeland
• Community Action House
• Compassionate Heart Ministries
• Critter Barn
• Down to Defend
• Escape Ministries
• Evergreen Commons
• The Day Center at Evergreen Commons
• Family Promise of West Michigan
• First Tee West Michigan
• Friends Of The Felt Estate
• Geneva Camp & Retreat Center
• Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids
• Good Samaritan Ministries
• Grant Me Hope
• Hand2Hand
• Harbor Humane Society
• Harmony Communities
• Harvest Stand Ministries
• Herrick District Library
• Holland Board of Public Works
• Holland Museum
• Holland Public Schools
• Hungry for Christ
• Kids’ Food Basket
• Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity
• Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP)
• Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates
• Mediation Services
• Momentum Center
• Movement West Michigan
• Nestlings Diaper Bank
• Out on the Lakeshore
• Positive Options
• Ready for School
• Renew Therapeutic Riding Center
• Resilience Advocates for Ending Violence
• Reset Effect
• Resthaven Maple Woods
• Resthaven
• The Salvation Army
• The Zeeland Historical Society 
• ·Versiti Blood Center of Michigan

How to participate: Additional organizations are welcome to participate by submitting their service opportunities at https://bit.ly/3VxXlBb. Likewise, additional volunteers may sign up at https://bit.ly/3ItD5c1. Volunteers who sign up before Wednesday, April 17, will receive a free Community Impact Day t-shirt.

Volunteers at Moran Park during a Community Impact Day.
 
What to expect: Immediately following the conclusion of the volunteer blitz, community members are invited to attend the Community Impact Day Celebration from 4-6 p.m. at the Holland Civic Center to share experiences from the day, catch up with friends and colleagues, and enjoy complementary food and beverages.

Images courtesy of the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce