Caledonia Cares: Coming Together for Community

04/28/2020

Even though the calendar says April, it feels like March 79...am I right!? This pandemic has taken its toll (physically, emotionally, or financially) on, I'd bet, the vast majority of us. But we wanted to create this space where uplifting and encouraging stories from our community could be shared. SO LET'S HERE 'EM!

What have you seen, heard about, or been apart of that has put a smile on your face during this season? Doesn't have to be earth shattering...could be anything!

Here's a few we've heard about...

- A distillery in Wayland is now producing gallons of hand sanitizer to help with the shortage!

- A church in our community is delivering or handing out over 300 bags of groceries EVERY WEEK!

- A group of volunteers from Caledonia has sewn together over 1,400 fabric masks!

And this doesn't even scratch the surface of amazing things that are happening around us! So post a story or an encouragement and let's all smile together!

04/24/2020

As the Caledonia Cares Team, we like to spotlight people and businesses doing good within the community and fantastic customer service experiences! As our kids have officially dove into distance learning for the remainder of the school year AND many of us are working from home, it’s more important than ever to have functioning laptops/ computers. If you are in need of fast, reliable and reasonably priced computer repair or maybe you just need a tune up to improve the speed and efficiency, call Dan Bolhuis at Moonlight404. He came direct to my office to rescue me (or better said, my laptop, which is a part of me! 🤷🏼‍♀️) a few months back, same day, and got me up and running (and with an operating speed that I hadn’t had in over a year) in no time. I found myself digging through my phone for his contact info again this morning as my 8th graders laptop would not start up. I texted him and he replied instantly. He offered to come and pick it, I set it on my porch and he had picked it up in less than 2 hours. SO super grateful for him and wanted to share his info with all of you! Thank you for what you do, Dan! 👏🏻

Have an awesome Friday everyone,
Dana

04/23/2020

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for nominating some amazing teachers for this week's drawing! Our community and families are so thankful for ALL that each and every one of you do for our kids.

This week's gift card recipients are:
Tony Silveri with a gift card to Nighthawk Grille & Bar
Tonya Heaton to Big O' Smoke House
Nichole Andrews Meurlin to Uccellos Ristorante
Sadie Bell to Brink's Ice Cream Express

We'll be in touch with each of you directly so we can get the info for where to send your gift card. Thanks for being amazing!

Dana, Jeff, Josh and Brad

04/20/2020

Our Thank You Campaign continues! Next we want to honor another group of superheros in our community...our TEACHERS and school staff!!!

As we enter our first official week of virtual learning to finish out the 2019/ 2020 school year, we KNOW that you are embarking on unfamiliar territory. We KNOW that you have been working diligently behind the scenes to learn a new way of teaching and that you worry about whether you'll still be able to impact your students and be effective. We KNOW that many of you are also juggling the distance learning schedules of the children within your own home while you are dedicating your time and attention to OUR children.**We want to shine a little happy in your week.** We will be giving away 4 more gift cards to support local businesses so PLEASE take a moment to nominate a Caledonia teacher or staff member (or a few) that are the most special to you and/ or have made a positive difference in the lives of your children. If you have a picture to share of them in their classroom/ school or with your child, than they will get 2 votes!

Voting will be open until Wednesday, April 22nd at 12:00pm. Lets light up this post and PLEASE VOTE!!!

Be Safe, Be Well and Keep on Keeping On:
Brad, Jeff, Josh and Dana

04/15/2020

This is really great of you Winding Lane Kennel! We know this family personally and have taken our dogs here many times. Beautiful facilities in Alto, loving owners. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Thank you for your ♥️ to serve and give!

Emergency Boarding - Daycare!! Are you a First Responder, Healthcare Worker, Person with Special Circumstances ? Winding Lane Kennel is offering to wave fees for Boarding/Daycare for your dog during this time. Please contact us for details.

04/13/2020

Drumroll pleeassee!! Thanks to all who nominated and more importantly, thank you so much to all of you on the front lines working to keep the world going round in these crazy times! We truly do wish there was more that we could do for all of you! But for tonight, the four people who will be receiving gift cards are: Sherri Klomp Dyer, Jenni Stout, Amy Green Backus, and Emma Wagner! Thank you so much to the four of you for all your efforts! We'll be in touch with each of you individually so we can get the gift cards sent your way!

04/12/2020

Happy Easter to everyone and their families! We GREATLY appreciate your support of this page and the likes/ follows/ shares in the last week. We are up to 310 since going live. Please keep em coming. The more people that we can collaborate with is the greater the impact that we will have!

We would like to extend a gift to four local establishments that ARE still operating during this time: Uccellos, Railtown Brewing, Biggby Coffee and The Alto Bar.

We have tagged Essential Workers that we know and we would like for you to do the same. You have 3 hours until the 9pm drawing. Please help us to say THANKS and tag someone who does not have the option to “Stay Home. Stay Safe.”

Kindly:
Brad, Jeff, Josh and Dana

04/08/2020

So, my kids are 11 and 13. I have always felt like writing letters is a lost art that needs to come back. So what better time for them to start than NOW. I’m {slightly} embarrassed to say that my youngest did not even know how to address an envelope and barely knew where to put the stamp 🤦🏼‍♀️ During our “writing” lesson last week, I told them to each pick someone to write a letter to. This was met with groans and an eye roll. Until TODAY when the letter returned and they were SO excited and couldn’t wait to tear into their envelope. I was so excited to see their excitement that I didn’t realize that I was holding a letter (card) in my hand addressed to me, from a friend of mine that lives in Hudsonville. It’s not my birthday and I didn’t mail her a letter first. She just wanted to let me know that she was thinking of me and to “Stay Safe and Be Well.” That one simple gesture MADE my day. So, we challenge you and your kids to grab a pen and paper and BE the reason that someone smiles today! 📝📪📬😊