The Dollar Difference

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Zeeland, MI
The Dollar Difference

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You, along with many others, give $1 every month. It's that simple!

Each month, the funds raised will be used to support people doing work centered around adoption, foster care and family preservation in the West Michigan community.

10/03/2026

Meet the Dykstra Family…our October Dollar Difference recipient! ❤️

Megan and Barry have been married for 11 years and are raising their family in West Michigan. They are already parents to Brynlee (6) and Liam (3), who joined their family through adoption.

After months of praying and talking about whether to pursue adoption again, Megan and Barry felt God leading them to take a step of faith at the end of August. Within 24 hours of expressing their intent, they received a message through a friend about a sweet baby who was already born and in need of a family. The timing was so unexpected that it felt like a clear confirmation to take the next step.

And then everything moved quickly!

Within just a few days, they met the family, met this sweet baby, began the adoption paperwork, and started preparing their home to welcome a third child. Brynlee and Liam are thrilled to become big siblings and immediately began making room (literally) by switching bedrooms to open up the nursery!

This adoption is a beautiful and unexpected door God has opened for the Dykstra family. They are taking each step prayerfully and trusting Him with every detail. They are also praying for the baby’s birth family, asking that they would experience God’s love, peace, and provision throughout this process.

Because everything happened so quickly, the Dykstras have many unexpected expenses. We are so grateful for the opportunity to come alongside their family and help with adoption-related legal expenses and the practical costs of welcoming a new baby to their family.❤️

09/29/2026

This is why we do what we do. ❤️

This month, The Dollar Difference was able to be a part of helping a kinship grandma go back to college and work toward a better future for herself and her granddaughter.

Getting to read her words of gratitude was such a good reminder that sometimes just a little bit of help at the right time can mean a whole lot to someone.

I’m so thankful we got to be a small part of her journey. Thank you Dollar Difference community for showing up every month with your dollar donation and blessing the local foster and adoptive community. It matters. ❤️

09/21/2026

The backbone of our ministry is made up of the business sponsors who believe in this work and support us every month. A heartfelt ‘thank you’ to this month’s business sponsors. Thank you for cheering us on, investing in the local foster and adoptive community, and helping us spread joy and encouragement. ❤️

ProPhoto Sites
Allendale Acupuncture & Wellness
Borr's Shoes Holland & Grand Haven
3 Mile Project
Central Park Market

09/08/2026

For September, we had something completely different already picked out for The Dollar Difference, but God had different plans. ❤️

Last week, I received a message from a CASA worker who shared:

“I’m wondering if in your research and through all of the organizations that you support, if you have heard of anyone that offers scholarships to foster/kinship parents? I’m a CASA (thank you for your donation a few months ago!) and the little girl I work with is placed with her grandmother. Grandma is going back to school so she can give the little girl a brighter future, but is really concerned about finances and how that is going to impact them in the short term. I’m looking around to see if anyone might know of some scholarships she could apply for to help her.”

Wouldn’t you know that we have had something very similar on our list of initiatives we would like to support in the future — a scholarship for a child in foster care heading to higher education.

This opportunity looks a little different than what we originally envisioned, but the heart behind it is the same.

So, for September, The Dollar Difference is coming alongside this incredible grandma as she works toward a better future for herself and her granddaughter. We are honored to help ease a little bit of the financial burden as she goes back to school and works to build a brighter future for the little girl in her care.

We are so excited to support this family and be a small part of their story. Thank you to everyone who continues to donate $1 to The Dollar Difference and make moments like this possible. Your dollar really does make a difference. ❤️

08/28/2026

I received an email from our Dollar Difference recipient this month, the winner of an all expense paid weekend to the Replanted Conference in Chicago, and her message absolutely made my day. She shared:

“We are looking forward to going to the Replanted Conference, and it has blessed us already! This summer has been a really challenging season for us. We have been very discouraged and overwhelmed lately and this came at the perfect time!! Plus our anniversary is the weekend before the conference, so we get to sneak away together close to our anniversary too!”

Hearing this was such a sweet reminder of why The Dollar Difference exists.

Before I drew the winner’s name, I prayed that God would lead me to someone who could use a little extra encouragement in their journey. And I’m so thankful He did just that.

I’m praying that this weekend away will be a beautiful gift to the Brennans. A time to breathe, rest, reconnect, be encouraged, and feel refreshed for the road ahead. I hope they come home rejuvenated and reminded that they are not walking this journey alone.

Thank you to everyone who gives to The Dollar Difference. Your generosity makes moments like this possible. What may feel like a small gift can become a tremendous encouragement to someone who needs it at just the right time. ❤️

08/20/2026

💭 If you had $100 to bless a foster family, what would you spend it on?

Would you…

🍕 Bring them dinner for a night when life feels extra busy?
🛒 Fill their grocery cart with some much-needed essentials?
🎟️ Give them an experience they could enjoy together as a family?
☕ Treat the parents to coffee and a little encouragement?
🎒 Help with the everyday expenses that come with welcoming another child into their home?

There are so many ways to show up for a foster family, and sometimes the things that seem small can make a BIG difference.

We'd love to hear from you! If you had $100 specifically to bless a foster family, what would you spend it on? Comment below.👇

08/15/2026

And the winner for this month’s Replanted Conference giveaway is….Heather Brennan!

Congrats Heather! We will be in touch soon!

08/12/2026

📢 Calling all local foster families!! 📢

Registration is now open for Fostering Faith’s 2026–27 program year! This is a weekly respite program for foster families with children 3 years old - 5th grade. They will be kicking off the week of Monday, September 14, and will provide weekly support throughout the school year. Check out the attached flyer for more info.

Note : Registration stays open all year, and they are happy to receive referrals at any time.

08/07/2026

Every month, I’m reminded that The Dollar Difference isn’t just fueled by generous individuals (such as yourself), but it’s also powered by an incredible community of local businesses that believe in strengthening the West Michigan foster and adoptive community.

Check out this month’s amazing lineup of business sponsors!

Redmon Heating and Cooling
Allendale Acupuncture & Wellness
Buist
Yurware
Freightliner of Grand Rapids & Kalamazoo

To each of this month’s business sponsors - thank you! Your support is helping encourage families who are doing the hard, beautiful work of caring for vulnerable children, and that impact reaches farther than you may ever know.

If you’re looking for a way to thank these businesses, consider supporting them the next time you need a product or service they offer.

We are so grateful for each of them! ❤️

08/05/2026

We are so excited to giveaway an all-expense paid weekend to this conference in Chicago to a West Michigan foster, adoptive, kinship or safe families couple! ❤️

Check out our original post on our page to enter the giveaway.

Address

Zeeland, MI
49464

Website

http://www.thedollardifference.org/

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