Giving Back Christmas December 12th

Christmas means a lot to people.  It's a time of family, friends and community.  To some it's an extravagant affair...to others, it's a time of gratuity and simple pleasures. We can't forget the other celebrations of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and for some...Festivus.  However you celebrate, the importance is the same.  Giving a little of yourself for others.  It's a simple task and the amazing results of acts of kindness show the world who we would ideally be.

This year, there is a first time event called Giving Back Christmas happening at the VFW Hall on Apple Avenue December 12th from 4p-8p.  It's being organized by Andrea Rosema and her group of volunteers.  The idea is simple.

There will be chances for kids to make cards for veterans and first responders, there will be arts and crafts stations, story time, decorating bags for Kids Food Basket of Muskegon, cookie decorating, cake walks, reindeer games, elves workshops, gift wrapping stations, selfie booth and more.  Best part of it, it's all free.

Friends Making a Difference

I had a chance to visit Andrea today and learn a little more about the event and what inspired her to organize this event which she hopes, becomes an annual event and something families look forward to every year.  Have a look at the video below to learn more from Andrea!

This is something that Positively Muskegon is ALL ABOUT.  To see friends, neighbors and community members coming together to set a good example for kids, taking care of those in need and putting yet another signature event on the map right here in Muskegon!  Our sincere thanks to Andrea for taking charge and showing everyone the true meaning of Christmas!  Here's a list of the goings on!!

If you'd like to follow Giving Back Christmas on Facebook, please click on their logo below and hit like on their page!  You can contact Andrea through there if you'd like to participate or donate something to help the cause!

Sponsor Message

Up to 5 lines for $100 Bucks!

Hot Rod Harley Helps Some Have a Great Thanksgiving

All to often, we hear about local business and the "bottom line" as a measurement to their success.  Well, in as much as profits drive business, so do people and in a world filled with news about things like violence, anger, hate and fear dominate the news...knowing that a local company wen the extra mile to support their community....well, that's what this blog is all about.

Photo Courtesy Facebook/ Kyle Heller

I keep a pretty keen eye on things going on here in town, but this one slipped past me.  Maybe it was the intent of Hot Rod Harley-Davidson to just fly under the radar with their donation of 108 turkey dinners to the Rescue Mission on November 25th, and that's ok.  Charity in my mind isn't done for glory or notoriety, it's done because it's the right thing to do.  As you can see from the photos, Hot Rod brought the shop truck filled right up to make sure no one went hungry this Thanksgiving.

Photo Courtesy Facebook/Kyle Heller

Kindness seems to be abundant this time of year, and the hop remains that the holiday spirit continues all through the coming year.  Our thanks to Hot Rod H-D for their kind act for so many.

Sponsor Message

Positively Saving Muskegon on Wireless

Beach Youth Football - National Tournament Bound

The sun was going down quickly and the darkness of November 25th in Michigan took over.  There was to be a practice for the Beach Stampede but the gate was locked and everyone who had the keys was on their way out of town for a long Thanksgiving weekend.  Did that stop the Stampede?  Not for a second.  Up over the fence, under the rail or taking the "long way" to get to the practice field they came in force to squeeze in one more practice before the holiday.  Even the coach, just a couple minutes late as he was trying to wrap things up at work.  But it was happening!

If you have not seen, the Beach Stampede of the Beach Youth Football league, it's time you did. They are on their way to Dallas Texas at the end of December to represent our town for a national title for youth football.  They have been absolutely unbelievable in tournaments in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor....you name it...they went and conquered!  Beach scored 222 points in the tournaments and only allowed 21 points!  That's a good old fashion lake shore football drubbin!

The coach did finally make it and took a few minutes while the team completed warm up's to tell me a little more about the team, his time coaching them and the amazing journey to get to the road to Dallas.  Meet Coach Gary Brink.

If you'd like to help the team, you can stop into Whitlow's on Airline Road and make a donation or you could join them at a fundraiser there on December 19th.  They'll be having a special pasta dinner with music, raffles and more.  A great place to stop anytime, but if it can help these kids live out the dream of a national tournament...where we need to be on December 19th!  If you can't make it, you can click on the photo below to visit their Go Fund Me Campaign and make a donation!

Good Luck Stampede!  

Sponsor message

Positively Saving Muskegon On Wireless

The Night Before Thanksgiving

The night before Thanksgiving, let's take a quick second and take a very good look at what we have!

We have a great community made up of people who care, want to make a difference and look out for one another.  We have miles of beautiful shore for our use and the use of those who come to visit.  We have sports, we have entertainment, we have beer tents and bowling alleys!  We have our fair share of things to work on but we also have the tools to do it.

What we have the most of......is the future.  It's been a growing experience over the last few years but the momentum is real.  The changes coming will be many and we'll become the best city on the shore!

Courtesy Mlive

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!  Positively Muskegon is proud to be here to tell the story and represent the side of Muskegon that some elect to ignore.  May your blessing be many and your heart filled with joy!

Family Promise of the Lakeshore - Keeping Families Together If Homeless

I was in Meijer over the weekend and bumped in to Marian McDermed in the check out lane.  Marian is the Executive Director of Family Promise of Muskegon and I immediately invited myself over to see her and have her tell the story of the work she does to keep families together.

Homelessness happens, and sadly sometimes in the process families get separated because different missions don't allow men in them, or vice versa.  People need a place to stay and shelter is provided, but at the expense of breaking up a family.  Kids end up in foster care or in CPS, men and women are taken apart and valuable time is lost where people can learn and grow....together.  With the Family Promise mission, it's a little different.

Family Promise of the Lakeshore serves all families, traditional and non traditional.  They offer education programs in parenting, money management, nutrition, civic engagement and tenancy.   They have the connections to find medical care, counseling services, housing referrals and more.

Supplies like diapers and personal care items are always needed

In my visit with Marian, I was able to see first hand the hope provided.  I met a couple young families who are currently staying with them and for as humble as the surroundings they had....people were warm, dry, fed and most of all.....they were together.  They have private rooms, they have the tools needed to learn and they are getting an honest hand in becoming a sustainable family that has their feet planted and a direction to go in.



Family Promise is 100% community funded.  There is no state or federal money coming in.  Donations and churches keep the operating budget funded along with the grace of our community.  Have a listen to my chat with Marian.

Great work is being done in Muskegon to keep families together and give them the tools needed to become who they want to be.....a happy family able to face the challenges of life with the needed skills set and most of all... each other.  If you'd like to know more, clock on the photo below of the kids who have been served by Family Promise of the Lakeshore.  You can even make a donation via PayPal if you'd like!

Some of the kids served by Family Promise of the Lakeshore

If you'd like to follow Family Promise of the Lakeshore on Facebook, please click on their logo below to find their page.

Sponsor Message

Positively Saving Muskegon Money on Wireless

NAPA Thanks Customers With Thanksgiving Dinner - For Two!!

A while back, Scott and Tracy Cox who own and operate Muskegon Automotive Supply, NAPA on Laketon, called and asked if OMG! could maybe offer a hand with their social media and knowing them like I do....I jumped at the chance!

Scott and Tracy run the family business that was established in Muskegon in 1934 and has served the community with NAPA Know How and to be honest, integrity and customer service beyond all imagination and there is one thing for sure..,,they have earned the business they run.  I have even heard stories of Scott getting up in the middle of the night to make sure that some guy repairing vehicles on 3rd shift got the parts he needed.  You probably won't hear a story like that from Scott, it's his humble approach to make sure his customers are taken care of.  It's just good business to him.  They have also always tried to find a way to give back.

This year, they decided that in November they would provide Thanksgiving dinner and a NAPA gift card to a customer and if that wasn't enough, the also included a matching prize for the customers friend of choice so they could have Thanksgiving taken care of too.

Jaret Allen was selected form all the entries all month and came in this morning to claim the prize.  He's busy out helping a friend  get some work done covering boats and getting them winterized because "he needed a hand and he'd help me if I needed it".

Positively Muskegon - think about the title.  It's friends and neighbors helping each other.  It's a business grateful for their customers.  It's a simple way to show the rest of the world that the truly good things that happen in Muskegon, happen because of people like Jaret and places like Muskegon Automotive Supply.   We're proud to help tell the story!

Sponsor Message

Cricket Wireless!  Positively Saving Muskegon On Wireless!

12th Annual Holidays in Lakeside Coming December 5th!!

The Lakeside District in Muskegon is easily one of the best little neighborhoods an all of West Michigan and a great place for artisan shops, great entertainment and a place or two to wet your whistle or grab a something great to eat!

December 5th The Lakeside District is inviting everyone down to be a part of the festivities, get a little holiday cheer going and shop for unique and fun gifts.  Looking for something hand made?  The have it!  Maybe something dedicated to Muskegon?  Yup!  Items you can order and ship?  They have them.  Santa will be visiting The  Harbor Cinema and they will be presenting a free showing of "Frozen" for the kids!  There will be raffles, a bake sale, sleigh rides, specials and more!

Louise Hopson is the owner of the Art Cats Gallery in Lakeside and invited me down to talk a little about the shopping district, life in Lakeside and how the business in the area work together to promote their neighborhood and Muskegon in general.  It was a fun visit and I found out that Louise is a potter, which absolutely fascinates me.  I think there might be a return visit so I can watch her work.

Take a look at our chat about Lakeside and set aside a little time soon to visit the neighborhood.  December 5th would be a great day to do it and a great way to share a little cheer among friends and neighbors.

Take a minute to follow the links to know more about what's going on in Lakeside!

Click here for the Lakeside Shop Unique, Shop Local Facebook page

To visit the Art Cats Gallery page click here!

And the Art Cats Facebook page!!

The Lakeside District Facebook page can be found here -

Sponsor Message

Positively Saving Muskegon Money on Wireless