Highlights from Women’s Service Day 2022!

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.

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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

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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! 

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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.

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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!

Here are a few more shots from that day:

Thank You for an Amazing 21st Women’s Service Day!

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

What to Expect on Women’s Service Day 2022 (10.6)!

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.

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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.

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Donation Drive

We’ll also collect items to donate to Period Project 49423. Here are the items they need most:

1. Summer’s Eve Cleansing Cloths (individually wrapped wipes)

2. Always Radiant Teen Pads

3. Tampax Radiant Tampons regular absorbency, unscented

See the full wish list of items here. Please bring your donations to lunch! We’ll have boxes ready to collect them. 

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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!

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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

Full List of Lunch Fundraiser Prizes

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

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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

Crane’s Basket

6. Coral Yeti 45 Cooler. Donated by Nancy Corvers. Value: $32

Coral Yeti 45 Cooler

7. Large Bella Russo Rolling Duffle Bag, donated be Larry & Sue Wolters. Value: $40.

Large Duffle

8. Medium Bella Russo Rolling Duffle Bag, Donated by Larry and Sue Wolters. Value $29.

Medium Duffle

9. Quilt. 56” x 72”, donated by Judy Hoeve. Value: $100.

Quilt

10. 14” Portable Charcoal Grill. Donated by Larry and Sue Wolters. Value: $29.

Portable Grill

11. 10” Ceramic Plates and Matching 10-Ounce Ceramic Mugs. Donated by Richard and Linda Berglund. Value: $49.

Ceramic Plates & Mugs

12. Double Sided Cast Iron Griddle. 29” x 9”. Donated by Richard and Linda Berglund. Value: $37.

Griddle

13.Glass Bowls. Donated by Waltraud Beckman. Value: $50.

Blue Bowl

Blue and White Bowl

16. Lawn Art # 1. Donated by Nancy Kempker. Value: $30.

Lawn Art #1

17.  Lawn Art # 2 . Donated by Nancy Kempker. Value: $30.

Lawn Art #2

18. Clay Banks Pottery Bird Feeder. Donated by Anonymous. Value: $40

Bird Feeder

 19. Clutter Keeper 15-Pocket Hanging Organizer. Donated by Carrie Ypma.

Clutter Keeper #1

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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

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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!

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As a reminder, Women’s Service Day is October 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.

Questions? E-mail the Women’s Service Day Planning Committee. Or visit our website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for more information. Let’s keep making a difference in our community!

Center for Women in Transition Will Receive Funds Raised at 2017 Raffle

Our annual raffle is one of our favorite parts of Women’s Service Day because everyone has fun and we raise money for a great cause. So remember to bring your checkbooks! Once again this year we’ll have two raffles featuring fabulous donations from local artisans and businesses, and designated by white and red tickets:

• Red raffle tickets are $5 each or 3 for $12
• White raffle tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25

Check out this sneak peek on Facebook of a few of the items you can win. Money raised this year will benefit the Center for Women in Transition (CWIT).

Specifically, the money will be used for costs associated with providing activities and safe spaces for children whose lives have been impacted by domestic violence.

Last year, CWIT served 77 children in its emergency shelter (Ginny’s Place), 38 children in its Supportive Housing program, and 30 children in its Children’s Therapy program. In addition, CWIT provides free childcare service and dinner during support groups. This allows the parent to focus fully on sharing their experience, establishing a support network, and taking steps towards a healthier future. The agency embraces a holistic approach to healing, walking alongside the families it serves and providing assistance to both parent and child as needed.

Funds from the raffle will support a variety of activities, including day passes for educational/entertainment opportunities for the children living at the shelter; upgrades to spaces at both CWIT’s emergency shelter and its Holland program office to make them more child-friendly and trauma-informed; the purchase of new, age-appropriate and therapeutic toys and games; and needed safety improvements to its playground.

We’re excited to support CWIT in this important work!

Thank you!

We are overwhelmed by your generosity—and so are the agencies we served!

Every year we think it can’t get any better. And every year, all our volunteers prove that it can, and it does. This year more than 180 of you–a record since Women’s Service Day began–showed up with willing hearts and hands and did more than ever before. What a way to celebrate our 15-year anniversary! Here are the nonprofits that benefited from your hard work:

• Center for Women in Transition for the Girls on the Run program.
• Eighth Day Farm
• Holland Rescue Mission
• Kids’ Food Basket
• Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity
• My House Ministry
• Camp Sunshine
• Community Action House
• Nestlings Diaper Bank
• Pathways, MI
• Ready for School
• The Salvation Army

The lunch raffle fundraiser was a huge success, raising over $2305 for Pathways MI. You also donated a mountain of diapers and wipes for the parents and children served by Nestlings.

Stay tuned for the full story–with photos–to see all you accomplished in just one day! For now, here’s our anniversary video. Thanks to each of you, to the hundreds of women who have participated over the years, and to Rasikas Films for producing a video that captures our “can do” spirit.

Also, for those of you who wish you had ordered a commemorative T-shirts (or two), good news! We’ve decided to re-open the campaign. Order by October 19! Proceeds will still benefit Pathways, which works to improve life for children and families by providing services like counseling, foster care, and education. Visit https://www.booster.com/wsd-2016 for full details and to place your order.

Finally, we’d like to know what the WSD experience was like for you. How can we make it better next year? Please take this quick survey so we know.

Thanks and see you next year!

Recent Raffle Additions

We’ve added more prizes including some beautiful handcrafted items for the raffle on Women’s Service Day, October 6. Proceeds will help support continuing renovation work at Pathways MI, with some portion covering minor event costs.

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You can also view additional items for auction.

Preview This Year’s Raffle Items!

Our annual raffle is one of the highlights of lunch (along with the food, of course). Once again this year it features a variety of items, including some beautiful, handcrafted items. Proceeds will help support continuing renovation work at Pathways MI, with some portion covering minor event costs.

We have two raffles, featuring fabulous donations from local artisans and businesses, and designated by white and red tickets:

• Red Raffle Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $12
• White Raffle Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25

The slideshow below gives you a sneak peek of a few of the items you can win. Bring your checkbook and your generosity!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Order Your Pigs-in-Blankets by October 1!

The pigs are back in town! We’ll be making Dutch pigs-in-the-blankets* on Women’s Service Day again this year. Cost is $12 per dozen, and all proceeds will support our continuing renovation work at Pathways. Volunteers will be preparing your orders in the Hope Church kitchen on October 6.

Using our online form, please enter the required fields and submit the form no later than October 1.

Your purchase of pigs must be picked up on October 6 between 3 and 6 p.m. at Hope Church, 77 West 11th Street, Holland. Payment is accepted by cash, credit card, or checks written to Arbor Circle Corporation, with “Women’s Service Day” in the memo line.

And, if you’re interested in selling to your church or book club, let’s talk! Please e-mail us at womensserviceday@gmail.com.

Bon appétit!

*For dietary concerns, pigs-in-the-blankets contain: all-purpose flour, margarine, salt, eggs, milk, and spiced pork sausage.

Last Chance to Order T-shirts!

Show some heart! Thursday, September 15, is the deadline for ordering commemorative T-shirts. We’re offering long-sleeved, short-sleeved, v-neck, and crew-neck shirts and even a hoodie! Proceeds benefit our renovation project at Pathways, which works to improve life for children and families by providing services like counseling, foster care, and education. Don’t delay just a few more days! Visit https://www.booster.com/wsd-2016 for full details and to place your order.