We’re still buzzing from the success of this year’s Women’s Service Day and wanted to share some of the stories about our incredible volunteers! Below is just a sample – if you have any special moments from your experience as a volunteer, we’d love to hear! Send an email to womensserviceday@gmail.com.
Harvest Stand Ministries
“I just wanted to share a story with you from this last week. We absolutely loved having the volunteer group here and they were wonderful to work with. They served doing things that are not the most fun things to do and they did it with a smile. The ladies asked a lot of questions and we loved the opportunity to meet them and share with them about our mission. One of the things that they asked was what items we have the greatest need for, they noticed working in the pantry that we have a lot of some items but hardly any of others. I shared with them that we are often low on things like pasta sauce, cooking oil, snacks, breakfast items, condiments, etc. When I came in on Saturday to get ready for an event, we had entire cases of these items on our shelves. Now I don’t know if these ladies dropped the donations off, but it was such a blessing to us either way. I wanted you to know that THEY were such a blessing to us. Thank you”
– Jessica Starks | Office and Communications Coordinator
Kids Food Basket
Our incredible volunteers packed packed 741 meals for that evening PLUS 626 meals for the following night in one session! Way to go!
Nestlings
The morning crew at Nestlings set an agency record for the most diapers wrapped in a session: 14, 412 diapers total! Our agency contact stated that they usually can wrap about 20,000 in a week, but our volunteers nearly hit that number in just a few hours!! Way to go!
The Period Project
The Period Project was very happy with the collection of personal care products–nearly everything was suitable for their purposes! Thanks to all of your donations, we donated 4 large boxes of supplies for girls in need.
Eighth Day Farm
The Eighth Day Farm team was so appreciative of all volunteers and for the donation from the charity fundraiser, which was matched by MillerKnoll Cares and equaled $4875.86 in total!
Community Action House Kitchen
The leftovers from lunch were sent to Community Kitchen. Their chef was so grateful! We donated two large pots of chili, sugar, flour, garlic, dessert, etc. Enough to feed quite a few.
Thank you again to all who donated, participated, and showed up to support Women’s Service Day 2022! You are the reason we are able to help so many in our community!
Yesterday wrapped the 21st Women’s Service Day and we wanted to extend a HUGE thank you to our volunteers, participating agencies, and all who attended any portion of this incredible day of service!
130 volunteers across 13 agencies
(To see our historical numbers of hours volunteered, funds raised, and gifts in kind donated, visit our History page that highlights two decades of philanthropy from our community.)
This year was a beautiful, sunny fall day that featured 130 volunteers registered to serve 13 agencies in the morning and afternoon. Many participants and agency representatives joined us for our networking and charity lunch to benefit Eighth Day Farm.
We are thrilled that our volunteers raised $2875.86. Along with a match and bonus from the MillerKnoll Foundation, the grand fundraising total was $4875.86! Plus, volunteers donated a several boxes of feminine products for The Period Project.
Stay tuned for the full story with event photos to see all we accomplished in just one day!
For now, we just want to say thank you for opening your hearts, pulling on your work clothes, and supporting your community!
– The Women’s Service Day Organizing Committee
Nancy Corvers, Harris Hof, Marcia Davis, Cindy DeGraaf, Sue Gadbois, Alison Lechner, Lois Maassen, Carolyn Maalouf, Angie Martin, Jill Ryan
Join us as we celebrate our 21st year! Women’s Service Day 2022 is planned for Thursday, October 6, and it’s time to sign up! To be a part of this West Michigan day of volunteering and networking, pleaseregister by September 27.
New this year! If you’re on the east side of the state, consider joining the Southeast MI sister event! Read about it and register through this link.
How to Register
We’re again using online registration by Sign Up Genius, which allows you to choose specifically where and when you’d like to volunteer on Women’s Service Day. Volunteer opportunities are limited; they’ll be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Safety is our priority! We follow CDC and State of Michigan DHHS guidelines for recommended protocols
Please keep two things in mind: Most agencies require that volunteers be 18 or older; look for notes on the few that are available to younger volunteers. And because some of our volunteers have physical limitations, please choose options that align with your capabilities.
If you’re not familiar with Sign Up Genius, just follow these four easy steps:
GO TO THE FORM: Click here to go to the WSD 2022 Registration Form on Sign Up Genius.
CHOOSE YOUR ASSIGNMENT: Click on the green “Sign Up” button next to a volunteer opportunity you’d like to do. To volunteer all day, choose both a morning and an afternoon assignment.
If you have a physical limitation and don’t see an appropriate task for your abilities on the list, please contact us at womensserviceday@gmail.com. We definitely have a place for you!
Once you’ve picked your assignment(s), click on the big purple “Submit and Sign Up” button.
SET UP YOUR ACCOUNT: Create a Sign Up Genius account (or log in if you already have one). This will allow you to get email reminders and other important messages about the event.
Complete the remaining questions on the form and click the big green “SIGN UP NOW” button.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: You’re now all set for WSD on October 6! We’re counting on you, so make sure you add your assignment(s) to your calendar.
And by all means, please invite your friends to sign up — the more the merrier!
Pleasenote that we may add more volunteer activities in the next few weeks, so feel free to check back and see what’s new.
Once you sign-up, you’ll receive confirmation that we’ve received your information, and you’ll be on an email distribution list for future event communications. Remember, we’re counting on you! We plan our agency projects based on the number of registrants, so please be sure it’s on your calendar.
What to Expect on October 6
We are so excited for your enthusiastic participation on Women’s Service Day this year. Here’s what to expect….
For a morning or all-day session, plan to arrive at your worksite in Holland at 8:30 a.m (or 9 am if volunteering with Kids Food Basket). For an afternoon session, plan to arrive at our lunch location by noon for a celebration lunch. A $10 donation will cover your lunch.
We’ll hold a raffle to support Eighth Day Farm. Proceeds from our raffle (tickets are $5 or 3 for $12; or $10 or 3 for $25) will support Eighth Day Farm in providing donating fresh, locally grown produce to Community Action House and their Food Club. Bring your wallet!
We’ll also collect items to donate to Period Project 49423. Here are the items they need the most:
1. Summer’s Eve Cleansing Cloths-individually wrapped wipes
This year’s participating agencies are here! Women’s Service Day isOctober 6, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Here are the agencies we will support with our volunteer efforts that day:
Sign up starts on September 6th so be sure to check your email that day to have the first pick of your favorite agency.
Join us on Women’s Service Day to support these vital local agencies!
Please help us stay in touch with women whose email addresses have changed. Forward this email to friends and colleagues, and opt in to our email communications with your preferred email address to be certain.
Aaaand we’re back! This year marks 21 years of Women’s Service Day, a one-day volunteer event for nonprofit organizations that support women and children in Holland, MI. We have an exciting lineup of agencies to volunteer with in person, but there will also be great opportunities to help with fundraising or donation drives for participating nonprofits that are doing amazing work.
Mark your calendars for October 6, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as we look forward to providing service opportunities for you to support nonprofit organizations in Holland.
Now is the time to recruit your friends and colleagues! There will be more communication throughout the summer about Women’s Service Day, including a registration email – so feel free to forward this announcement to anyone who might be interested. We will be sharing the date on all of our social media accounts as well (details below).
Please help us stay in touch with women whose email addresses have changed. Forward this email to friends and colleagues, and opt in to our email communications with your preferred email address to be certain.
In spite of our most rainy event in 20 years, more than 100 volunteers had smiles on their faces as they helped 11 nonprofit agencies on Women’s Volunteer Day October 7–all so women and children in our community could benefit from the organizations that support them.
Focused on their assignments, volunteers diligently completed tasks like pulling tomato plants to prep a farm for winter; organizing a food pantry; cleaning up at a farm that provides therapeutic horsemanship; yard work; assembling backpacks for foster kids; wrapping 7,000+ diapers for distribution to social services organizations; building food storage racks for the new Community Action House Food Club; and even painting birdhouses to adorn an outdoor setting at an agency that helps children and families achieve change in their lives and communities.
During our lunch raffle–when we experienced the biggest downpour–spirits weren’t dampened. Volunteers raised over $1,500 to benefit Resilience, which advocates for ending domestic and sexual abuse in Ottawa and Allegan Counties. (In fact, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, even more poignant now with an increase in incidences since the pandemic began in 2020.)
Along with a match and bonus from Herman Miller Cares, the grand fundraising total was $3,540.67! Plus, volunteers donated a pallet full of items to stock the pantry at Resilience in support of kids in need.
We are also grateful to Herman Miller Cares for providing the tent that allowed volunteers to socialize safely outside and stay dry.
We appreciate Community Action House for use of their outdoor space and tours of their new facility (a real asset to our community) and Joe2Go–a woman-owned local business–for going the extra mile to assemble our lunch wraps!
Thank you, everyone, for your energy, open hearts, hard work, and good spirits to make Women’s Service Day 2021 a success! You are the ones who have built the reputation around town over the past 20 years as the hardworking volunteers our agencies rely on. Check out the slideshow to see all the great things we collectively did that day.
Even in our 20th year, we still see the same level of generosity and hard work Women’s Service Day volunteers have been known for. (To see our historical numbers of hours volunteered, funds raised, and gifts in kind donated, visit our History page that highlights two decades of philanthropy from our community.)
This year, despite the challenges of a lingering pandemic and a noontime downpour, 100+ volunteers registered to serve 11 agencies in the morning and afternoon. Many participants and agency representatives joined us for our networking and fundraiser lunch to benefit Resilience, which advocates for ending domestic and sexual abuse in Ottawa and Allegan Counties.
During such a critical time when abuse incidence numbers are up, we are thrilled that our volunteers raised $1,540.67. Along with a match and bonus from Herman Miller Cares, the grand fundraising total was $3,540.67! Plus, volunteers donated a pallet full of items to stock the pantry at Resilience in support of kids in need.
Stay tuned for the full story with event photos to see all we accomplished in just one day!
For now, we just want to say thank you for opening your hearts, pulling on your work clothes (and mud boots), and sharing your love!
We are so excited for your enthusiastic participation on Women’s Service Day this year!
Here’s what to expect:
Volunteer Crews
Please review your SignUpGenius communications to be sure you know what clothing or equipment might be helpful to your specific assignment.
For a morning or all-day crew, plan to arrive at your worksite in Holland at 8:30 a.m (or 9 a.m. if volunteering with Kids Food Basket).
For an afternoon crew, plan to arrive at our lunch location by noon for a celebration lunch. If you are unable to attend the luncheon, please arrive at your worksite by 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Details
Our lunch celebration will be from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hope Church, centrally located at 77 West Eleventh Street in Holland (between River and Pine Avenues, just south of downtown Holland and west of Centennial Park).
Note that Pine Avenue is closed for construction from 10th Street south. Enter 10th Street from the east to park on the street or in the church parking lot, or park in the west lot (furthest from the building) of the United Methodist church, just north of Hope Church between 9th and 10th Streets. Overflow parking is available in the back lot of the Methodist Church across the street from Hope church. Please do not park in the front lot of the Methodist Church.
A $10 donation will cover your lunch, with any surplus to be donated to Eighth Day Farm.
We’ll hold a raffle to support Eighth Day Farm. Proceeds from our raffle (tickets are $5 or 3 for $12; or $10 each or 3 for $25) will support Eighth Day Farm in providing donated fresh, locally grown produce to Community Action House and their Food Club. Bring your wallet! (We’ll accept cash, check, credit card, and Venmo.)
More details on lunch and the charity fundraiser can be found here.
Donation Drive
We’ll also collect items to donate toPeriod Project 49423. Here are the items they need most:
1. Summer’s Eve Cleansing Cloths (individually wrapped wipes)
See the full wish list of items here. Please bring your donations to lunch! We’ll have boxes ready to collect them.
Last-minute change in plans (sickness, business crisis, etc.)? Please update your registration in SignUpGenius or email us as soon as possible. To contact event organizers the day of the event, call or text Angie at (616) 283-3341.
Follow the day through photos on Facebook and Instagram (@womensserviceday) and updates on Twitter (@womenserviceday). Share your experiences with the hashtag #WSDHolland!
Looking forward to seeing you Thursday!
The Women’s Service Day Organizing Committee
Nancy Corvers, Harris Hof, Marcia Davis, Cindy DeGraaf, Sue Gadbois, Alison Lechner, Lois Maassen, Carolyn Maalouf, Angie Martin, Jill Ryan
Here is the complete list of all prizes that will be available to bid on during the lunch portion of Women’s Service Day 2022. In addition to morning and afternoon volunteer sessions with this year’s nonprofit organizations, the WSD hosts a networking lunch and charity fundraiser, which will benefit Eight Day Farm in partnership with Community Action House. This lunch is your opportunity to meet other folks in the Holland community and a chance to bid on some amazing prizes!
Furniture
1. Herman Miller Keyn Office Chair. $695.00. Donated by Office Outlet in Zeeland, MI. Value: $695.00.
Keyn Chair
2. Herman Miller Aeron Office Chair. Donated by MillerKnoll Foundation. Value: $1400.
Aeron Chair #1
3. Herman Miller Aeron Office Chair. Donated by MillerKnoll Foundation (Picture is only representative of product: colors and options may change.) Value: $1200.
Aeron Chair #2
4. Haworth Maari Chair. Donated by Marcia Davis. Value: $450
Maari Chair
Homewares & Food
1. Wine Basket#1 including three bottles of wine, air drying rack, wine opener. Donated by Nancy Corvers. Value: $50.
Wine Basket #1
2. Wine Basket #2 including three bottles of wine, bottle opener, three wine stoppers. Donated by Angie Martin. Value: $45
Wine Basket #2
3. Fustini’s Olive Oil Sampler, donated by Anonymous. Each bottle is 2 oz. Value: $35.00.
Fustini’s Sampler
4. Four Michigan wine glasses and a bottle of wine from Warner’s, donated by Anonymous. Value: $45.00.
Warner’s Wine & Glasses
5. Crane’s Preserve Gift Basket, includes: Three 12 oz. preserves. Donated by: Crane’s Pie Pantry, Restaurant & Winery. Value: $20
19. Clutter Keeper 15-Pocket Hanging Organizer. Donated by Carrie Ypma.
Clutter Keeper #1
20. Clutter Keeper 44-Pocket Hanging Organizer. Donated by Carrie Ypma.
Clutter Keeper #2
Treat Yo ‘Self
1. Spa Basket, includes: Custom made Libra candle, soy candle, body wrap, body lotion, HUM supplement, self-tan facial crème, towel, wax melts and hair band. Donated by: Nicole McAndrew with Furry Friends Pet Recovery & Stephen Ales. Value: $75
Spa Basket
2. Gift Bag from Harbor Health Massage containing healing balm, hemp muscle relief, hand & body soap, lip balm, & body butter bar. Donated by Harbor Health and Massage. Value: $75.
Harbor Health Gift Bag
4. Fall Spice of Life Gift Basket. Includes: Yankee candle, Bath & Body Works shower gel, bath bar, Hempz lotion and loofah. Donated by: Anonymous. Value: $75.
Fall Gifts
5. Mary Kay Timewise Miracle Set, package of 4. Donated by Nancy Kempker. Value: $120.
Mary Kay Gifts
6. Gift Card to Engels Jewelry in Grandville. Gift bag contains $50 gift certificate, jewelry cleaner, and cleaning cloth. Donated by Engels Jewelry. Value $50.
Engels Jewelry Gift Card Bag
7. Crazy Horse Gift Certificate (1of 2) . Donated by Sally & John Janssen. Value: $50
Crazy Horse Gift Card
8. Crazy Horse Gift Certificate (2 of 2). Donated by Sally & John Janssen. Value: $50
Crazy Horse Gift Card
9. An original artwork by local artist Erin Drews. “Macaroni & Magnolias,” 9″ by 12″ piece, Oil, Acrylic, and Oil Pastel on cradled Wood Panel. Donated by the artist. Value: $140.
Painting by Erin Drews
10. Scenery Photography Note Cards. Donated by Mary Hildore. Value: $24
Scenery Note Cards
11. Floral Photography Note Cards. Donated by Mary Hildore. Value: $24
Floral Note Cards
12. Hua Garment, can be worn 20+ different ways. Donated by Sue Gadbois. Value: $30.
Hue Garment
13. Liquid candle, crystal picture holder, and Iron Pillar Lantern Holder. Donated by Sue and Larry Wolters. Value: $45
Liquid Candle Gift
14. Certificate from Brewery Vivant. Donated by Kris Spaulding. Value: $50
Brewery Vivant Gift Card
Bring your checkbook, credit card, Venmo, or cash, and your generosity! Proceeds from our charity fundraiser (tickets are $5 or 3 for $12; or $10 or 3 for $25) will support Eighth Day Farm in providing donating fresh, locally grown produce to Community Action House and their Food Club. Please note, the ticket colors are changing this year, the red tickets are the $10 tickets and the teal tickets are the $5 tickets.
A few more notes about lunch:
Our lunch celebration will be from 11:45 to 1 p.m. at Hope Church, centrally located at 77 West Eleventh Street in Holland (between River and Pine Avenues, just south of downtown Holland and west of Centennial Park).
A $10 donation (cash collected upon arrival) will cover your lunch. Any additional dollars you give that exceed food costs will be added to our group donation to Eighth Day Farm!
As a reminder, Women’s Service Day isOctober 6, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please help us stay in touch with women whose email addresses have changed. Forward this email to friends and colleagues, and opt in to our email communications with your preferred email address to be certain.
Women’s Service Day is just 23 days away! Are you signed up yet? We still have spots available!
In addition to morning and afternoon volunteer sessions with this year’s nonprofit organizations, the WSD hosts a networking lunch and charity fundraiser, which will benefit Eight Day Farm in partnership with Community Action House. This lunch is your opportunity to meet other folks in the Holland community and a chance to bid on some amazing prizes!
Bring your checkbook, credit card, or cash, and your generosity! Proceeds from our charity fundraiser (tickets are $5 or 3 for $12; or $10 or 3 for $25) will support Eighth Day Farm in providing donating fresh, locally grown produce to Community Action House and their Food Club.
A few more notes about lunch:
Our lunch celebration will be from 11:45 to 1 p.m. at Hope Church, centrally located at 77 West Eleventh Street in Holland (between River and Pine Avenues, just south of downtown Holland and west of Centennial Park).
A $10 donation (cash collected upon arrival) will cover your lunch. Any additional dollars you give that exceed food costs will be added to our group donation to Eighth Day Farm!
As a reminder, Women’s Service Day isOctober 6, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please help us stay in touch with women whose email addresses have changed. Forward this email to friends and colleagues, and opt in to our email communications with your preferred email address to be certain.
Building networks among women has been a goal of Women’s Service Day (WSD) since the very first event in West Michigan 20 years ago. That network is now paying off in an unexpected way!
In late summer, the WSD planning team was contacted by several women who work for Yanfeng in West Michigan and in Novi; they’re a part of the Women’s Resource Network at that company. Several of them had participated in the West Michigan WSD event; others had heard about it from coworkers.
They didn’t want to miss out, and they saw an opportunity for women to come together on the east side of the state to do the same kind of good our volunteers have accomplished here! They’ve worked with local-to-them agencies to identify volunteer opportunities, and are ready to launch this first satellite WSD event this Thursday, October 14. Agencies supported are:
Earthworks, where volunteers will do seasonal garden maintenance
Crossroads in Michigan, where they’ll package condiments for the soup kitchen
First Step Domestic & Sexual Violence, where they’ll beautify the area outside of the shelter
Food Gatherers, where they’ll sort donations and pack food boxes
Michigan Council of Women in Technology, where they’ll pack bags for high school students
Like the “mother” event, the SE Michigan event is using SignUpGenius so volunteers can select the opportunity that’s most appealing, and one or two half-day crews. This event has been publicized within Yanfeng by the Women’s Resource Network; they welcome friends, family, and colleagues from other organizations.
Available opportunities are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that the Women’s Service Day Planning Team has put these protocols in place for in-person participation:
Mask wearing is required indoors regardless of vaccination status
Mask wearing is required outdoors when social distancing is not possible
Follow CDC and State of Michigan DHHS guidelines for recommended protocols
How can you help launch this SE Michigan event? Spread the word! The initiative to create this event demonstrates that our networks extend across Michigan and beyond.
Even in our 20th year, we still see the same level of generosity and hard work Women’s Service Day volunteers have been known for. (To see our historical numbers of hours volunteered, funds raised, and gifts in kind donated, visit our 
Women's Service Day 