WSD History

A grass-roots event that began in 2002 with 50 women who responded to a call to build a Habitat for Humanity house for a single mother has blossomed into an annual event: Women’s Service Day. The spirit of giving—time, talent, and donations—in the West Michigan community is astounding:

The History of Women’s Service Day at a Glance

YEAR 21 – 2022

It was a beautiful, sunny fall day!

  • Over 130 volunteers
  • Event date: October 6, 2022
  • 13 agencies served
  • Raised $4875.86 (with help from the MillerKnoll Foundation) to benefit Eighth Day Farm
  • Donated several boxes of feminine products for The Period Project

YEAR 20 – 2021

We weren’t quite “back to normal” in 2021, but we were well on our way to forging a post-pandemic path:

  • Over 100 volunteers
  • Event date: October 7, 2021
  • Raised $3,540.67 (with help from Herman Miller Cares) and a pallet-full of snacks, both for in support of Resilience, which works to prevent and counter domestic violence
  • Weathered a deluge of rain during our lunch at Community Action House’s Food Club. Thank heavens for the capacious tent, sponsored by Herman Miller Cares.
  • Saw the launch of a sister event in Southeast Michigan, where 35 women volunteered their time at five regional nonprofits

YEAR 19 – 2020

Everyone knows 2020 was…..different due to a global pandemic. This is how we adapted our event:

  • Event date: Women’s Service Season, from August through October
  • Offered ways to volunteer in person, give financial support, collect in-kind donations, and promote nonprofit agencies
  • Created our first-ever Volunteer Appreciation Awards
  • Raised over $4,000, along with Herman Miller Cares, in support of the Community Action House Hunger-Free Thanksgiving campaign

YEAR 18 – 2019

  • 180 volunteers
  • Event date: October 3, 2019
  • Raised over $5,000 for Hope Pkgs (with support from Herman Miller Cares)
  • Collected hygiene supplies for Community Action House

YEAR 17 – 2018

  • 175 volunteers
  • Event date: October 4, 2018
  • Raised over $5,000 for Camp Sunshine (with support from Herman Miller Cares)
  • Collected bras, underwear, and children’s pajamas for Holland Rescue Mission
  • Read more

YEAR 16 – 2017

  • 180 volunteers
  • Event date: October 5, 2017
  • Raised $3,200 for Center for Women in Transition
  • Collected 3,284 diapers and wipes for Nestlings Diaper Bank
  • Read more

YEAR 15 – 2016

  • 180 volunteers
  • Event date: October 6, 2016
  • Raised over $3,000
  • Collected diapers and wipes for Nestlings Diaper Bank
  • Read more

YEAR 14 – 2015

  • 160 volunteers
  • Event date: October 1, 2015
  • Raised $2,400 for Pathways MI
  • Collected 10 boxes of personal and household supplies for My House Ministry
  • Read more

YEAR 13 – 2014

This was only the second time the event was held in the summer.

  • 120 volunteers
  • Event date: August 14, 2014
  • Raised $1,248 for Kelly Markatos Memorial Build through Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity
  • Collected school supplies for Sylvia’s Place
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YEAR 12 – 2013

  • 140 volunteers
  • Event date: October 3, 2013
  • Raised over $1,800 for Nuestra Casa
  • Collected gifts for Nuestra Casa through a registry
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YEAR 11 – 2012

  • 125 volunteers
  • Event date: October 4, 2012
  • Raised $2,500 for Nuestra Casa
  • Collected two months’ worth of diapers for the Breakfast with Baby program
  • Read more

YEAR 10 – 2011

  • 111 volunteers
  • Event date: October 6, 2011
  • Raised $2,400 for Nuestra Casa
  • Collected 10 boxes of children’s books were collected for the future Nuestra Casa library
  • Read more

YEAR 9 – 2010

  • 90 volunteers
  • Event date: October 1, 2010
  • Raised over $1,000 for Hospice of Holland
  • Collected donation drive for Sylvia’s Place and Rick Rack
  • Read more

YEAR 8 – 2009

This year the name of the event changed to Women’s Service Day.

  • 93 volunteers
  • Event date: October 1, 2009
  • Raised $1,000 for Holland Free Health Clinic
  • Collected clothing and supplies for Women’s Resource Center in Grand Rapids
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YEAR 7 – 2008

During the first several years of the event, it was organized as a grassroots effort among women at Herman Miller. In 2008, the event expanded to include all women in West Michigan. 

This was the first year we hosted a networking breakfast rather than a luncheon. 

  • 98 volunteers
  • Event date: September 25, 2008
  • Raised around $700 for Holland Rescue Mission
  • Collected 10 boxes of household items for Holland Rescue Mission’s Family Hope Ministry Center
  • Read more

YEAR 6 – 2007

  • 139 volunteers
  • Event date: September 27, 2007
  • Raised $1,700 for Community Action House
  • Collected 12 large boxes full of women’s and children’s household and office supply items for Sylvia’s Place
  • Read more

YEAR 5 – 2006

This was the first year we began hosting a raffle and/or silent auction during the WSD luncheon to raise money for a local cause. 

  • 149 volunteers
  • Event date: October 12, 2006
  • Raised over $1,200 for Habitat for Humanity
  • Collected 12 large boxes full of women’s and children’s personal care items for Muskegon Rescue Mission
  • Read more

YEAR 4 – 2005

  • 138 volunteers
  • Event date: October 6, 2005
  • Collected 12 large boxes full of women’s and children’s personal care items and school supplies for Muskegon Rescue Mission
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YEAR 3 – 2004

  • 126 volunteers
  • Event date: October 7, 2004
  • Collected 10 large boxes full of women’s and children’s personal care items (deodorant, disposable diapers, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, tissues, make-up, razors, and over the counter medications such as pain relievers, cough drops, cold remedies, cough syrup, and vitamins), as well as old cell phones and chargers for Center for Women in Transition
  • Read more

YEAR 2 – 2003

The event was moved to October this year to coincide with two major events affecting women—Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month

  • 122 volunteers
  • Event date: October 9, 2003
  • The celebration lunch was moved to Hope Church in Holland.
  • Collected 10 large boxes full of shoes, purses, belts, pants, shirts, skirts, dresses and suits were donated by the volunteers to the Working Women’s Clothes Closet in Grand Rapids
  • Read more

YEAR 1 – 2002

When the event was founded, it was initially called Women’s Volunteer Day.

  • 50 volunteers
  • Event date: June 25, 2002
  • A celebration lunch was held at Huizenga Park in Zeeland.
  • Collected six large boxes of professional clothing for the Center for Women in Transition
  • Read more