616.846.2701 love@loveinactiontricities.org
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Thank you to our amazing volunteers!

To Our Amazing Volunteers, 

The heart of Love in Action beats because of you. Hundreds of individuals, choosing to put the love of Jesus into action by serving others – that’s the very essence of what we do. 

The numbers tell a story: thousands fed, hundreds housed, crucial healthcare provided. But those numbers only scratch the surface. The true difference lies in the compassion you bring to every phone call answered, every drop-in visitor greeted, every cry for help heard, every crisis navigated, every challenge met with kindness. 

Your love is the difference. It’s the foundation of the hope and support we offer. 

We simply cannot thank you enough for your selfless dedication and the immeasurable impact you have on our community. 

With deepest gratitude, 

Josh Bytwerk, Executive Director

Thank You From Our Directors:

A huge, heartfelt thank you to all those who volunteer by engaging our community through the Co-op and THRIVE!  You truly embody Love in Action’s mission statement of being “A Christ-centered ministry transforming lives by empowering people to thrive!”
 
You have made a remarkable commitment to generously sharing your gifts and abilities, while walking alongside others and helping them discover and utilize their own!  Whether you are teaching classes, coaching, welcoming members, talking with them at check out, stocking or bagging groceries, praying with those who stop in, or cleaning; you are making a tremendous difference in so many lives!
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being an integral part of the Co-op community and creating a space every day for people to belong and experience the love of Jesus!
 
~Laura Liu, Director of Community Engagement

“Donation Center volunteers share their unique talents while learning new ways to serve and always help each other grow closer together to meet the needs of our community!

·       Spring is coming! April 14 was kickoff for Garden Club at Lakeshore Middle School.  The students started plants for Grace Gardens in the school greenhouse. During the summer, volunteers will be receiving produce at the farmer’s market or growing it at Grace Gardens to help give access to fresh healthy food through our pantries!

·       Each Friday, we have Gracious Grounds volunteers prep Backpack Blessing food.

·       Pantry volunteers move approximately 1200 lbs of food per week as they pull orders!

·       Furniture Ministry volunteers work a full day, then deliver items to those without transportation.

·       Warehouse volunteers receive & sort amazing donations including books, clothes, household items, & check electronics for the stores.

·       Truck volunteers pick up donations, deliver store purchases, and pick up food for the Co-op & pantries in all types of weather. You may even see them moving furniture at the stores. 

·       Food truck volunteers face Michigan weather to insure the increasing number of neighbors in need receive drive-through service for fresh produce twice a month.

Donation Center volunteers provide the backbone of Operations!”

–Cheryl Younguist, Director of Operations

To our wonderful volunteers,
 
Your service and dedication are true examples of LOVE IN ACTOIN!   Every moment you spend, every smile you share, and every task you take on is a true expression of love for our community!
 
Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and commitment in keeping the stores running smoothly and being uplifting to those who walk through our doors!
 
Thank you for all you do!  Your impact is lasting and your love in action is deeply appreciated!  
 
With a grateful heart,
Julie DeBoer/Love in Action Stores Director, and
all Assistant Managers of the Stores
Professional, dedicated, generous, compassionate, and caring! These are the first words staff and patients use to describe medical and dental volunteers of the LIA Free Medical and Dental Center. Our volunteers go above and beyond with patients by devoting extra time, listening, educating, and providing hope. It is love in action. When you see a dental assistant, physician, nurse, dentist, hygienist, student, or other health person extending themself to help others compassionately and without pay, it speaks volumes. People see Jesus through the compassionate way our volunteers provide care and respect. Healing happens, and trust builds. They improve the community and how the LIA Free Medical & Dental Center serves. Our heartfelt THANK YOU, medical and dental volunteers! We love you and having you on this team is a privilege!
 
-Jody Buttery, Director of Clinics
It is a joy to express our appreciation to the incredibly dedicated LIA volunteers of Housing! Your faith, grace, service, generosity, and partnership are tangible expressions of what it means to “love God and your neighbor as yourself.” We “love because He first loved us.” So many of our neighbors are living without shelter. You support their felt needs like housing, food, and clothing through benevolent giving. You have provided such services as tax preparation, budgeting and life-skill classes, community through fun activities, healthcare and mental wellness support, transportation, cooking instruction, and administrative help just to name a few! As LIA Housing volunteers, you see Jesus in each individual and respond faithfully in love. For the many lives that are forever changed, we say thank you to All!
 
-Wendy McGregor, Director of Housing
“I’ve said it often (and embarrassingly displayed the fact) that it brings me to tears when I consider the faithfulness and sacrifice our volunteers give to our community. In Community Care and across Love in Action, we believe that every person has been created uniquely and in the image of God, deserving dignity and respect, honoring their experienced journey, and extending to them peace and hope. Each person has unique qualities, gifts, and talents that they bring to the table, and through which, I believe, God is at work to bring about restoration, hope, and love.
 
When I reflect on our volunteers and their dedicated service, sacrifice of time, energy, love, and giftedness, it’s evident that they are faithful and good. I see faithfulness in the way they show up – many who have set aside a consistent time each week. I see it in the belief they have in our community and the people we serve – that we all have unique stories and are all valued. They are good because they show up in ways they have been gifted – echoing their uniqueness, creativity, and heart for those in our community. Whether through an ability to sit with, see, and hear people, an incredible gift of detail, or informational organization, provide hospitality, evaluate financial needs, etc., we are ALL blessed.
 
So, to all of our Community Care volunteers – Receptionists, Client Advisors, Housing Ministry Collaborative Team, God’s Helping Hands Team, Delivery Drivers, Pantry Volunteers, Ministry Partners, and Office Helpers – THANK YOU. I am grateful to know each of you and believe we are better because of you! God bless you today and always!”
 
-Valerie Bender, Director of Community Care
Volunteer

 

Thank you for your gift. Lives are changed, not merely because resources make a difference, but also because compassion does.

Donation Impact

  • ♥ $25 one month of Backpack Blessings
  • ♥ $50 One night of shelter including meals and support
  • ♥ $231 cost per patient visit at the Health/Dental Clinic
  • ♥ $200 one week’s worth of groceries
  • ♥ $300 average cost of utility assistance
  • ♥ $1100 average cost of rental or mortgage support
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Love in Action is a non-profit ministry organized as a 501c3 in the State of Michigan.