As 2011 draws to a close I’m taking a minute to reflect on all the amazing things that have happened this past year. It’s been an incredible year and so many good things have happened. Here’s a few of the highlights for me:
*In just one year, we have given away over 12,800 prizes to kids and families in West Michigan.
*We are blessed to have loyal viewers who join us each week for “Where You Live” where we have shared some incredible stories, explored some wonderful family fun destinations and weekly presented relevant information to help families live a little healthier and happier.
*Partnering with over 100 local libraries over 70,000 kids participated in the 2011 Summer Reading Club!
*This past summer over 42,000 kids and families enjoyed free food, free entertainment and free fun at our Park Parties.
*We were involoved in great community events like the Fifth Third River Bank Run, Beautiful U, Teacher Wish List, the grand opening of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, the first ever Santa’s Pool Party, Cruiserfest, the Bethany Caring for Families shopping event at Meijer and so many other amazing events.
*We visited over 220 schools and non-profit events.
It’s been an amazing year and I’m so thankful to each person, organization, community and company that partnered with us to make it all happen! Happy New Year and here’s to an incredible 2012!
The Holiday Season is special for so many reasons but one of the things I love the most is hearing about all the incredible ways people in our community are giving and sharing with others! This weekend on “Where You Live” we’ll share some amazing stories of people giving back! From studetns at West Michigan Aviation Academy spending at a day with local veterans to students in Belding packing holiday baskets for solders over seas. We’ll also show you how 10 Bethany Christian Services foster and refugee families were blessed with a special holiday shopping event at Meijer. And my friends at Fifth Third Bank will share three simple steps to teaching your kids the power of sharing with others. Plus, we’ll give you easy ways your family can share coats, blankets and toys with those in need this season. Join us for an inspiring show-”Where You Live” this Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.
This weekend on “Where You Live” we’re celebrating babies! Meet some beautiful babies and their familes and find out what moms are talking about, worried about and doing to make the most of this special time! Two awesome West Michigan families will share their adoption stories as they worked with Bethany Christian Services, a Fifth Third Bank expert will offer insights on the best ways to financially plan for a new baby and Priority Health Wellness folks will share easy ways to get moms and babies moving together! Plus, our friends at Pine Rest will give practical tips on ways to introduce a new baby into a family and we’ll stop by a sibbling class at Spectrum Health and tour the Birthing Center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. It’s all coming up this Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.
We’re ready to Rock The Park as we kick-off the 2011 Park Party Season on Thursday, June 23rd at the Greenville High School Complex! Thanks to the Michigan Department of Education and the USDA we’ll have FREE lunches for everyone 18 and under. We’ll start serving those at 11:30 a.m. Park Party action will go from noon until 2 p.m. Here’s a few of my best tips for making the most of your Park Party experience:
1. Get in line early for the one large scale event your child really wants to do-climbing wall, super slide, dixie twister, etc. These lines will get long quick and it’s probably not realistic to think you’ll get on all the activities during the two hour event.
2. Bring a water bottle for each person in your group. We’ll be passing out FREE Ice Mountain Water, Milk with the lunches and 100% Apple Juice from Mc Donalds but you’ll want to have water with you at all times so bring some from home to be safe.
3. We have great corporate partners that are passing out cool things: Priority Health is giving out backpacks, AMWAY will be at the Art Area and Fifth Third Bank at the Super Slide handing out tattoos. Craig’s Cruisers will have candy, Ferris State University will be at the Climbing Wall with Pennants. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital will have jump ropes, Meijer will have Michigan Apples and other goodies, Holland Aquatic Center will be doing a Safe Water Activity, the Bethany Christian Services Wheel of Prizes and Touchstone Energy Cooperative will have some great giveaways. The West Michigan Whitecaps will be there with Crash and two fun inflatables!
4. Special for the Greenville Party-be sure to pick up a special gift from the Meijer area as a thank you to the city of Greenville! You can even come to the grand opening of the Fred Meijer Flat River Trail in the Meijer Parking Lot at 10 a.m.
5. Bring a bag of new or gently used items to donate to Goodwill and you’ll get an Entertainment Book! Goodwill will be at the Greenville and Wyoming Park Parties.
6. Great food items include Cheese Kurls, Country Fresh Ice Cream, Ice Mountain, McDonalds Apple Dippers and Meijer local produce. Remember everything is WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
7. We’re super excited to introduce the AMWAY One-By-One Art Area for kids. Work with artist Corey VanDuienen to create cool art that will be part of his 2011 Art Prize entry!!
8. Visit the WOOD TV tent to get your picture taken with your favorite WOOD TV on-air talent. Brett and Emily from DayBreak will be at our Greenville Party.
9. If you can’t make it to this week’s Park Party, log on to woodtv.com throughout the Party and we’ll be posting photos live from the event!
10. Watch all the Park Party Action on “Where You Live” this weekend to see highlights from the first big event! Catch the show Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.
HAVE FUN and feel free to post photos from the Party at facebook.com/marandatv!!
This weekend on “Where You Live” we’re celebrating people, places and things we love! From a beautiful story of family love featuring grandparents adopting their grandchildren with the help of Bethany Christian Services to expert advice from Pine Rest Christian Services on how to improve relationships with your teens and ex spouses and family members. It’s packed with fun ideas for heart healthy parties, foods your family will love and great ways to save big money at Meijer. Plus, the chance to win a date night with the one you love including a $50 gift card to Bonefish Grill and gift card to Celebration Cinema. And if you have kids that LOVE JUSTINBIEBER we’re giving you the chance to win a VIP Movie Party for eight including tickets to the 3-D Justin Bieber “Never Say Never” movie, pop and popcorn at Celebration Cinema! Join us for a show you’re going to LOVE “Where You Live” Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.
Bethany Christian Services Refugee Center is an ArtPrize venue that you won’t want to miss. The facility features some unique art that is inspired by refugees from around the world.
