I’ve been out and about talking to teachers all over West Michigan these past few weeks.    I was amazed to learn that regardless the district, teachers are spending over $500 of their own money for things in their classroom.

Simple things like paper towel, extra markers, color paper, sandwich bags, wipes, prepackaged snacks, band aids, tissue, etc.    Since many of these items are consumables they need to be replenished many times throughout the school year and the one making sure the room is stocked is usually the teacher!

I appreciate all the time, love and energy many teachers pour into the lives of our kids.  I also know many of you feel the same way.   We’re launching a campaign here on WOOD TV in partnership with AMWAY called the “Teacher Wish Lists”.   Teachers can log on www.woodtv.com and search Teacher Wish Lists.  There we’re asking teachers from around West Michigan to register their classroom and list the items they need.    Then, any of us in the community who are able to help, will go to the Wish List and grant the wishes of our local teachers!  It’s a very simple, cool way we can show our teachers how much we appreciate all they do!   Encourage the teachers you know to sign up and share their wishes.  Then, look for simple ways you and you family can help!   Be sure to share your stories of how you’re helping-I’m always looking for ways people are making a difference in the lives of our kids!

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This weekend on “Where You Live” we’ve got everything you need to get the kids ready to head back to school!  We’ll show you affordable fashions from Goodwill and simple solutions for packing healthy lunches from Meijer.  We’ll also get expert advise from our friends at Pine Rest to help calm your kids’ first day fears.  We’ll also make a trip to Belding to see how many students are already back to school preparing for fall athletics!  Plus, the chance to register to win a $100 Back to school shopping spree from Meijer!!  This weekend on “Where You Live”!  Catch it Saturday at 7:30 a.m. on WOTV 4 and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.

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This summer over 65,000 kids participated in Summer Reading Clubs at their local libraries.  In addition to reading amazing books and enjoying free weekly programs, participants were registered to win some wonderful prizes!  Every library gave away a family trip to the Holland Aquatic Center, a Meijer Gift Card and tickets to the West Michigan Whitecaps.   Readers were also entered into some special drawings.   Here’s our list of 2010 winners:

Annual Membership to the John Ball Zoo

*Levi Langerak of Marne, *Tristen Perrone of Saranac, * Hannah Sturgeon of Zeeland and *Gavin Pohl of Comstock Park.

Overnight Get Away Avalanche Bay at Boyne Mountain Resort

*Emma Robart of Hesperia, *Brandon Howard of Grand Haven, * Callie Delaney of Caledonia and *Emily Edwards-Hirst of Holton
A Four Day/Three Night Family Trip to New York City

*Olivia Koch of Saugatuck

Congratulations to all our winners and thanks to each librarian and reader who were a part of “Making a Splash” with the Summer Reading Club this summer!

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We’re giving away 100 backpacks loaded with school supplies!  You can sign up to win one of 100 backpacks right here at marandatv.com.  Just click on the contest button at the top of this website.  Our friends from Herman Miller have donated beautiful backpacks and MEIJER has provided all the supplies including notebooks, pencils, erasers, crayons, glue sticks and more!  The contest runs through the end of August.  We’ll notify winners via mail.    Sign up now to win!

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The 2010 Park Party season is officially over and it’s been incredible!!  This summer we have served over 30,000 kids and families by providing free food and free fun in six locations around West Michigan.    I want to thank every person that participated in the events.    I also want to thank my co-workers, the college interns, city officials and volunteers from every location for assisting in making each event special.    We couldn’t do these giant, free events without awesome corporate partners.   Here’s a HUGE THANK YOU to them: Bethany Christian Services, Country Fresh Ice Cream, Cheese Kurls, Craig’s Cruisers, Ferris State University,  Fifth Third Bank, Goodwill Industries,  Ice Mountain, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Holland Aquatic Center, Meijer,  Pine Rest Christian Services, Priority Health, STAR 105.7, Touchstone Energy Cooperative, West Michigan Whitecaps, USDA and the MI Department of Ed.    The get the full scoop of what it takes to make these events happen watch “Where You Live” on Saturday, July 31st we’ll be doing a special “Park Parties” by the numbers!!  The show airs at 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on WOTV 4 and 6:30 p.m. on WOOD TV 8.   Thanks again for being part of a great summer of Park Parties!!!

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It’s so hard to believe that on Thursday, July 29th we’ll be hosting our final Park Party of 2010!  It’s been an amazing summer so far and I can’t wait to head out to the Allegan County Fairgrounds for an afternoon of FREE fun!  Once again we’ve really spread things out so there’s plenty of room for everything and everyone!   The new features we have added to this year’s events including “Last in Line” signs, more activities, more space, more entertainment and more vendors has really made a big difference.   If you haven’t had the chance to join us for a Park Party yet this year this is your last chance!  Free lunches start at 11:30 for anyone under 18 and Park Party fun goes from noon – 2 p.m.  I’m looking forward to meeting you on Thursday!

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On Thursday, July 22nd the Park Party team will bring the party to Upjohn Park in Kalamazoo!  The park is located at 1018 Walter Street on the corner of Walter and Crosstown Pkwy.  It’s a beautiful park with a boundless playground, basketball court, skate park and swimming pool!  Plus, huge green space for all our activities.   Free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 for anyone under 18 and Park Party fun will roll from noon – 2 p.m.  It’s the fifth Park Party of the summer and I hope to see you there!!

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The next Park Party of the summer takes place at Kollen Park in Holland on July 15th!  This party is often one of our largest and we’re looking forward to a great turn out and a great time!  The forecast shows hot and humid so be sure to bring a water bottle for everyone in the family and a lot of sunscreen!  There’s also a slight chance of rain but remember our Park Parties go on rain or shine.  Free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. for anyone 18 or younger.  Then, Park Party action takes place from noon – 2 p.m.  We have a full stage of wonderful local kid entertainment.  We also have great Produce for Kids from Meijer, the Fifth Third Super Slide, Pine Rest Ropes Course, Ferris State University Climbing Wall and more! Priority Health will have FREE backpacks for the kids!  My friends from the Holland Aquatic Center will be at this party with special fun for kids too!!  Hope to see you and your family Thursday at Kollen Park!

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We’re busy planning, packing and preparing for the third Park Party of the summer!  On Thursday, July 8th we’ll be heading to the Barry Expo Center on M-37 between Middleville and Hastings.  Free lunches for kids 18 and under will be available starting at 11:30 and all our activities and entertainment will go from noon – 2 p.m.   I’m excited for this event because we’ve never held a Park Party in this community before.    Of course we’ll have all the free items like the Priority Health backpacks, the Country Fresh Ice Cream, the Meijer treats and more.  Plus, great activities like the Pine Rest Ropes Course, the Fifth Third Super Slide and the Ferris State University Climbing Wall.  We’ll also have some extra special surprises for kids!  I hope to see you and your family this Thursday at the Barry Expo Center!

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On Thursday, July 1st we’ll host our second Park Party of the summer at Lamar Park in Wyoming!  It’s a beautiful park and we’re excited to offer an afternoon of free family there!  A few highlights-Craig’s Cruisers will give 5,000 go kart rides away at tomorrow’s event!!!   Goodwill Industries will be collecting gently used items-bring a bag of goodies and we’ll give you an Entertainment Book.   This park also features a super sweet Splash Pad for kids.   Free lunches will be served to anyone 18 and under starting at 11:30 a.m. and the party will begin at noon.

Come out and enjoy an afternoon of FREE Fun!!!

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