Food for Life - Evangelist Tracy Dillon Discusses Sunday Dinner at Kingdom Embassy Covenant Church

 

Meet Tracy Dillon.  Tracy reached out to us to tell us about her work in helping those in need in and around Muskegon when it comes to food insecurity.  We are an amazing community who knows the value of what it means to "circle the wagons" and take care of one another.  We're so good at it in fact, it's the reason we launched all that we do with this site, and all of the people who believe they are called to do more.  People who are not looking for a lot of credit, just a way that they can know that they are giving back to their fellow man with the best they have.

Food 4 Life came about when Tracy noticed that our abundance of relief organizations were not regularly serving on a Sunday and that with the food drives we have around town, there may be a gap in what people can do with the food they are given if it's raw.  This is starting to dip down in to the idea that the homeless issue here is growing and while it might seem that needs are being met, it's pretty difficult to cook if you are living in a tent in the woods somewhere with a family.  Food 4 Life is designed to not only fill the gap on Sunday, but bring people into a little deeper understanding of what's "out there" and how they can best utilize it. 

"My Grandma used to say".....there really can't be 5 more words of wisdom that come from anyone.  In the case of Tracy, her grandma used to say "give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day, teach a man to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime."  With the meal that comes at Kingdom Embassy Church in Roosevelt Park, comes a supply of personal hygiene items, a Bible to help them understand the giving beyond the food and supplies and the examples set forth within.  They offer pick up service at both the men's and women's shelters on Peck and Laketon Streets at 1p on Sunday and the service and meal begin at 1:30.  3p things are wrapped up, no one is hungry, no one feels alone and we've found yet another way to protect our most vulnerable in our community while they are in a time of need. 

Tracy works over night.  Tracy also stayed up until we could meet up at the Hackley Library to film.  Tracy isn't a superhuman, multi-millionaire or philanthropic giant.  She's out to do as it was taught.  "Love one another as I have loved you."  She's putting her faith into practice and turning love into action.  This is a miracle happening right here.  This is how simple it is to make life a little easier for someone, once a day.  I love finding stories like this as really, that was all I ever set out to do when I decided that I was going to have a career in broadcasting.  To remember that somebody out there, somewhere, needed that moment of respite.  I was given the opportunity to do what I wanted to do for work instead of what I HAD to do for work.  Tracy, takes it one step further.  Let's all try to be a little more like Tracy.  

You can find Food 4 Life happening at Kingdom Embassy Covenant Church in Roosevelt Park  located at 3025 Glenside Blvd.  If you need transportation, call 231-220-7797.  If you would like to contact the church itself and see if you can be of assistance, I am sure they would love to hear from you.  231-747-6862

Your A- TENT- Shun Please - Lisa Keck Kujawa is Attempting Another World Record! Help if You Can November 2nd at the MKG Farmers Market

 

It was a couple of years ago that Lisa Kujawa brought her mission back to Muskegon to see about helping set a world record for collection canned goods and how far they could make a contiguous line of them.  Those who are "townies" may remember Lisa as a member of the Keck family.  Lisa now lives and works on the east side, but she's also continuing to push for attention and reach all across the state for help with her calling, Golden Key Camp.  Located in Gladwin, Golden Key Camp is a respite for kids with cancer and their families. To have someone from Muskegon making the push, we all know success is on the way.  

While the non perishable food item drive didn't quite work out as hoped, this time, the drive is for tents and the number isn't quite as high.  Lisa is reaching out to different communities across the state including her hometown right here in Muskegon to make the goal of 800 tents.  800 tents collected and set up together at Camp Golden Key will not only get them the world record, it will be a HUGE amount of publicity and attention for this camp, and in turn the idea will grow as will awareness.  Then kids with cancer will have a spot to call their own. 

From the Camp Golden Key Website - "What we do is gift the saddest and most difficult gifts ever, precious time together, but that is also the greatest gift. Will you please help by being a TEAM sponsor, we have made it easy to help, just seek people or businesses each willing to pledge toward your goal of $250 or a tent or maybe you decide to donate a few tents. Ask friends and family customers coworkers clients etc. to come together for YOUR team to make a gift so special its doesn't seem impossible in fact with you and yours impossible REALLY SENDS THE MESSAGE OF, I'M POSSIBLE!  Thank you so much for making the world a better place for these special children who have had their childhood stolen from them, your kindness will gift these families some childhood memories they wouldn't have gotten without you.

November 2nd is the day that Muskegon is being called to action.  The Muskegon Farmers Market is where the tents will be collected.  New, gently used or a cash donation toward one is fine.  Please, however, don't bring in broken or ripped tents.  Asking a non profit to sort out your broken stuff is really in poor form.  The best way to keep up with Lisa and Camp Golden Key is by FOLLOWING THEM ON FACEBOOK.  They also have a website that you can visit to learn more.  CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CAMP GOLDEN KEY WEBSITE. 

Lucy Plont - Family Rallies Around Little Girl With Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis - June 1st Motorcycle Run Planned

 

The title of the article alone should tell you that it's a pretty rare condition that Lucy Plont is facing.  To know that she's missed too much of kindergarten because of this affliction too, well that tells you that there's a need to be met and when that happens, Muskegon goes to work.  In this case, the work extends over into Sparta too where Lucy's grandparents live and between the two places, there's a lot of great space for motorcycles.....so, let's ride!

From KidsHealth.org - "Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). JIA is a group of disorders that causes arthritis (stiff, swollen, painful joints) in children.  Children with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (systemic JIA) have periods of arthritis along with a fever and rash. They also may have swollen glands and problems with the heart, lungs, and blood.  Treatments can help with symptoms, so children can live a full and active life. The symptoms can go away for a time (called remission). In some kids, the condition goes away permanently.  All types of JIA happen when the immune system, which normally attacks germs, mistakenly attacks the joints. This causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) in the joints and other problems. Systemic JIA can start anytime in kids 1 to 16 years old. Most cases start when a child is around 2 years old. The condition affects boys and girls equally.  Doctors don’t know exactly why kids and teens get JIA. “Idiopathic” means “from an unknown cause.” It can run in families but often does not. It’s likely due to a combination of: genetic (inherited) causes the way the immune system responds to infection and illness a trigger, such as an infection."

As any parents would understand, the onset caught Jodi and Miles Plont completely off guard.  How to handle a problem of such epic proportion and cost in finding out initially what the problem is and then how to treat it.  A grueling task and an immense weight to bare.  While they struggled to find an answer, the staff at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital became very familiar with the Plont family and treatments continue for Lucy to this day.  Lucy will have to give kindergarten another go next year, and that's ok, but the problem will persist for a while and that's where the community will come together to help.

June 1st there's a charity biker benefit which kicks off at 7 Mile Inn on S. Warner in Fremont.  It will be a picturesque ride to Jimmy's Roadhouse, Old Iron Bar and Grill, Kent City Lounge and then back to 7 Mile with cool events along the way.  Registration is at 9a and the bikes roll at 10:45.  When everyone is back at 7 Mile, food, raffles, silent auction, 50/50, gift baskets and more.  It's just the kind of benefit we can all pitch in on in some way shape or form and if you'd like more info on it, you'll find numbers in the photo below. 

Our kids, they are the most important part of all of our future.  Lucy is a tough, spunky little customer according to all accounts, but to see any child facing this kind of struggle, it's too much for anyone to be able to process.  It's a lifelong journey for Lucy and to show her early on that she's from a community that truly cares....it's what we can do.  

You can follow Lucy's journey on Facebook.  CLICK HERE TO VISIT HER PAGE. 

Benefit for Brett Belmarez June 29th at the Fruitport Eagles

 

The most essential part of any line of work is remembering the root system.  In 2015, all that we publish began with a video camera the size of a box of tacks and an idea.  How could we not only help make things in Muskegon a little better, but how could we utilize skills and ability to help anyone's cause get a little notice?  Through that, the idea would be to show the drive of a community.  Show those who take action that there's nothing they can't accomplish and that they deserve that moment in the "spotlight" for their efforts. 

We stand by that today, and it's not always the easiest.  Case in point, our story today.  Brett Belmarez isn't quite 40 yet and has been stricken with cancer.  A young husband and father, Brett is like so many of us here in Muskegon that would give the shirt off his back for someone else, and has more than once but now finds himself in need of the community to gather around him and help.  We found an entry from the Muskegon Pub Pedal site which is helping out too, that explains the situation best.

"Brett Belmarez was born and raised in Muskegon. He has been married to the love of his life, Desiree for 10 1/2 years. They have a 6 year old son named Roman. In the middle of December, 2023, Brett started experiencing flu-like symptoms.  Near the end of December, in addition to the flu-like symptoms, he began experiencing shortness of breath and lung pain. After having his blood work checked and a ct scan, they discovered a mass (6.1cm) on his right lower lung and some enlarged lymph nodes. After a biopsy, it was determined to be lymphoma. It is still early, so they do not have results on what stage or what specific type of lymphoma it is. A meeting is scheduled with the cancer center to begin working towards a treatment plan and obtaining a 2nd opinion with more information from U of M. They are not sure what the future holds, but they are remaining positive and keeping their faith in God."  We've got the pub peddlers in, that's great news. 

Brett also has his family in overdrive working to plan and pull off a benefit at the Fruitport Eagles on June 29th from 2p-8p.  If you've ever been to a benefit at the Fruitport Eagles, you know it's a day filled with family, community and love.  I have been to one or two there and seen the unimaginable happen by witnessing the generosity of friends family and strangers overflow and make a world of difference.  Brett's aunts, Sharon Shanafelt and Victoria Belmarez Brezina joined me to talk about the event.  Take a listen. 

Want to help? We all do, in some way or another.  It's a massive undertaking in a time of immense stress and emotional turmoil for anyone to put on an event like this.  To see it unfolding for Brett speaks volumes of what he must have paid forward already because the ground is rumbling loud for this event and there will be an incredible outpouring come the end of June.  It will be another day when collectively as a community we show the rest of the world that nowhere else can anyone circle the wagons and take care of our own like Muskegon.  

If you'd like to help you can reach out to Victoria at 231-740-1021 or Sharon at 231-769-9799

Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Brian Packard - Planting Seeds in Fruitport

 

We were invited to meet an exceptional individual who carries the title Girls Varsity Basketball Coach at Fruitport Schools.  By day, Brian Packard is a Landscape Designer at Mike Rose Landscaping in Norton Shores.  In his "spare time" he's found a calling that not many dare and in that, he's also found a purpose in life well beyond teaching things like dribbling, boxing out and lay up's.  His evolution as a coach, especially working his way up to helping craft young women, has become what movies are made of.  Meet Brian.

 

Beginning in much lower levels of coaching Brian worked his way up to the varsity role over time and found that's where his fit was best.  It was through experience and dedication that he also realized that there were some pretty remarkable challenges facing these young women at Fruitport and that coaching needed to be a little more than drills.  He was facing a struggling program, the effects of the pandemic and the inability for them to play and practice as well as keep that "teamwork" frame as tight as it should be.  There were also some immensely difficult life challenges for these young women to face with the loss of a classmate and a conference that they play in which is remarkably hard.  Loss, hardship, heartbreak and interruptions....not the key factors in putting up a seasonal record of wins and championships.  With a team of young women who wanted to win, there was a challenge set forth not many would have noticed, but Brian did.

As a team, Brian seemed to help everyone come to the understanding that a team is a perpetual endeavor.  It's a continuance of what was there and what's to come.  What was there...well, honestly, it wasn't much left to build on after all that they had been through collectively.  Brian brought wisdom to the forefront and said that only the understanding that rebuilding the team was going to be equilivant of planting seeds...and that it's going to take the current team, and their willingness to not only get out there and play like champions despite the scoreboard, but more importantly, it was on he and all he coached and saw over to be the foundation for the teams that follow.  Set the example.  Build from the ground floor with the basics and the support that entails the entire person through a sport.  Help the juniors and seniors of today be the leadership that the 7th and 8th graders will see, and emulate when they make it to the "big show" of high school athletics, and then on to life.  

This is a remarkable lesson in leadership that's being provided to an incredibly fortunate group of athletes in a school.  Where some only see trophies and titles, the true nature of competition is bring brought forth day after day and that is to not only achieve but to learn and lead.  To show the way for those to come and to share the understanding of winning in the "long term" is so much more than a buzzer beater.  Fruitport, these young women and our community as a whole....we're lucky to have the depth of understanding we do in people like Brian Packard.  Wisdom carries through generations because of people like him. 

A Benefit for Kenzie's Be Cafe October 28th at the The Starlight Room

 

From time to time, and then and again, our Positively Muskegon travels take us outside the county lines, but it's always for a purpose and this one is two fold as we're going to show you something amazing going on in Grand Haven and let you in on a benefit we're pretty dang sure you're going to want to be a part of when you hear all about it.  Welcome to Kenzie's Be Café on Washington in Grand Haven. 

Kenzie is a Junior at Mona Shores High School.  She just happens to have a café named after her "across the bridge" that is owned by her aunt, Erin Lyon.  Erin made a giant career switch not long ago from her chosen path of being an attorney when she saw a chance to get in to something a little more welcoming and less stressful.  She owned a Jumpin Java location, there was a desire to open another one, and the plan was reimagined to build a purposeful and sustainable place where people with different abilities of all levels could find a way to work, learn and see that those "different abilities".....well, they are not all that different after all.

Kenzie and I go back a minute or two.  She's been nothing but an inspiration to me as she fits right in to where she's planted.  Singing Christmas Tree?  She's in it.  Varsity Cheerleader?  Yup.  Life of the party no matter where she goes?  Usually.  What makes Kenzie this way?  Her heart is so gentle, her approach to life is so kind and her willingness to not be anything other than a young woman with a bright future in front of her sends a message that resonates to anyone who meets her.  Naming a spot where others can learn some of the skills that Kenzie has and then go on to succeed in other areas too, it only makes the best of sense. 

Kenzie's Be Café serves all of the proper coffee's and teas, as well as a menu that they have learned to make in house, daily, just like any other spot.  The open feel and the close knit group gives people who sometimes shy away from things because of their "limits" a chance to break right through it and build the confidence needed to go on to much larger endeavors, and they have.  As you hear Erin talk about in the video, some almost unthinkable goals have been attained just by seeing that anything can be accomplished if you are given the chance, no matter the circumstance.

While the café might be just over the county line, Kenzie is quite proudly one of ours, and with that, Muskegon knows how to throw a benefit like no other.  October 28th, there will be a night of music and fun at The Starlight Room.  Kenzie's Be Café will be the beneficiary.  The music is from Rockford's "Puffin Down" who are an outstanding cover band and since we're in The Starlight Room just two days before the party, we'll welcome Puffin Down as the musical guests on the Muskegon Tonight Live show on Thursday the 26th.  A lot of fun to come at The Starlight Room!  Come and join us!   

It's been one of the greatest gift's I have been given to be among people who I will readily admit that at one point, I was uncomfortable around.  To open up just enough though.... to see that differences are what make all of us unique and that the necessity for anyone to just be who they are....it's paramount.  No matter what label may be placed, it can be torn off and the truly remarkable part of the removal of a label....it's the realization that we are all more the same than we are different.  Kenzie teaches that every single time I see her.  A stop into Kenzie's Be Café and you'll see just what I am talking about.  

Kenzie 

Halloween Fun at the Muskegon Lighthouse Saturday Oct 14th

 

It's something we see yearly, where we live gives us pretty much three perfect seasons of sugar sand beaches and fun for everyone.  Even today as we were filming, a pair of travelers from Indy  were seeking a parking spot to head down to the Muskegon Lighthouse for a view.  I stopped and talked with them for a bit and asked if they'd come back in July sometime, when we could show them a little more. Those three seasons are busy and no one really wants to let go.  Including the Lighthouse itself.

Now staffed by volunteers and always looking to grow that list of people who can spend a little time helping the cause, the Muskegon Lighthouse is boasting one of the most successful seasons on record.  Over 1000 people took the trip to the top to see the stunning view of where we call home from the top of the lighthouse.  The gift shop is now all sold out and packed up, the show fences are on the beach and we'd love to see you at one more event before the snow fly's.. a Halloween Party this Saturday.   

Kimberly Lange invited us down again to sum up the season and throw out the welcome mat for one more great chance at seeing the Muskegon Lighthouse, all done up in Halloween décor inside as a treat for the fans of the ghosting and ghouling that seems to have taken over the entire month of October.  The Muskegon Lighthouse will welcome guests from 1p-4p Saturday October 14th.  Kids in costumes, they get to go to the top of the lighthouse for a peek for free...and adults....a $5 donation is asked.  If you can swing a little more, go ahead.   Costume contests, Halloween treats and a fun atmosphere with a gentle "spooky" approach is what to expect.

The Lighthouse planned the 1-4 on purpose.  It seems that they are not the only ones working to have some fun for the peanut gallery.  The Muskegon Farmers Market will be hosting trick or treaters in the morning while their vendors are on site, the Hackley Library has things Halloween themed for kids to do as does the Lakeshore Museum Center.  Seems that just about everyone is rolling out the red carpet for some spooktacular fun this weekend.

The Muskegon Lighthouse goes in to "winter" mode after this weekend.  It can be opened for private tours in the offseason and the work during the offseason is to recruit more who might like to be involved in 2024 and beyond to help learn about, and share the rich history and splendor of one of the most unique things to our community.  No one hear has to drive from Indianapolis to see a lighthouse!  We can all get behind it and preserve our treasure.