The 67th annual Children’s Christmas Programs & Toys for Tots toy and gift drive is under way and runs through December 2, with distribution from December 9 to 12 at the TrueNorth Service Center in Fremont.

Please drop off donations of new, unwrapped gifts and toys at Children’s Christmas Programs & Toys for Tots (CCP) drop boxes located throughout Newaygo County ⁠— in Croton Township, Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo and White Cloud.

Applications for CCP are available at Newaygo County schools and libraries, FiveCAP Newaygo County and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Newaygo County in White Cloud, the TrueNorth Service Center and online at truenorthservices.org. Applications should be turned in to schools or TrueNorth by November 25.  

The corporate sponsor for CCP is Gerber Life Insurance Company. Program sponsors are The Gerber Foundation and the Fremont Area Community Foundation. Our program partner is Toys for Tots.

TrueNorth Community Services' emPower heat and energy assistance program assists people struggling to afford their utility and deliverable fuels bills in Michigan, helping them to become self-sufficient.

emPower is working to provide help across Michigan for 2019-2020 in partnership with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services,  the Michigan Agency for Energy and utility. energy and deliverable fuels providers across the state.

These are the steps to discover success with emPower’s assistance through its Self-Sufficiency Services:

1. Complete and be approved for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ State Emergency Relief (SER) assistance. Apply through MI Bridges
2. Choose TrueNorth Community Services as your referral partner
3. Get contacted by emPower to start your self-sufficiency journey

For more details, visit our emPower information page ; visit emPower's website or call 231.355.5880.

Circles Newaygo County strives to end poverty one family at a time. 

Our program is focused on personal exploration and growth, working with Circle Leaders (heads of families) to help them achieve self-sufficiency. We provide dinner and childcare for our Circle Leaders. You can take steps toward a better life by getting involved with Circles.

Or become someone who supports those efforts by becoming an Ally, volunteering to work alongside them on their journey forward. 

Or support the Circle Leaders and Allies as a volunteer with one of our resource teams. We are in also in need of childcare volunteers, who work with children at our weekly Circles meetings and volunteer from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays (with dinner included and the curriculum provided).

Join us for a community discussion on Tuesday, November 19, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the TrueNorth Service Center, 6308 S. Warner Avenue in Fremont. Please RSVP by November 15 with Michelle Marciniak, (231) 924-0641, ext. 220, or mmarciniak@truenorthservices.org.

To get involved with, to find more details on, or to volunteer with Circles Newaygo County, call (231) 924-0641, ext. 220, or email circles@truenorthservices.org.

Circles is funded by a grant from Fremont Area Community Foundation​.

TrueMentors is focused on nurturing kids.

TrueMentors' community mentoring volunteers are matched with Newaygo County youth between the ages of 5 to 14 years old in a one-to-one mentoring relationship for a minimum one-year commitment. We've got kids awaiting a match.

We particularly need adults as volunteers with TrueBlue Academy, an after-school mentoring program done in partnership with Newaygo Public Schools and the Newaygo Police Department. The program meets once a week on Tuesdays from 3:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Newaygo Middle School in Newaygo.

To apply to be a mentor with TrueMentors and for more information, contact us by email at truementors@truenorthservices.org or call (231) 924-0641, ext. 109.

You can help support TrueMentors by making a financial contribution to the program; get the details here.

There are a range of community activities and offerings to enjoy at Camp Newaygo. Discover someplace special.

The upcoming events and offerings include:

Ridge Specialties' Thanksgiving Bake Sale, order by Saturday, November 16; pick up orders after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, or Wednesday, November 27 at Camp Newaygo or TrueNorth. Bring something special to your holiday gathering, with everything fresh made and baked in our kitchen by Ridge Specialties. Whatever you choose is sure to be a crowd favorite. To order, call (231) 652-1184 or email campbiz@campnewaygo.org.

Camp Newaygo's Poinsettia Sale has an order deadline of Saturday, November 16. Pick up orders in Grand Rapids on December 4; or at Camp Newaygo in Newaygo or TrueNorth Community Services in Fremont on December 5. Delivery can also be arranged. The cost: 6-inch red, white, blue or purple poinsettias, $10; 8-inch red or white poinsettias, $18. To order, contact Caitlin at (231) 652-1184 or email campbiz@campnewaygo.org.

Brunch with Santa, Saturday, December 7, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Spend the morning with Santa and enjoy a buffet brunch prepared by Ridge Specialties in Lang Lodge. Seatings are at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 noon. Registration is required. Cost: $24.95 ages 13 and older, $14.95 ages 4-12 and free ages 3 and younger.

Gingerbread House Make and Take, Saturday, December 7, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Create Christmas memories and a one-of-a-kind gingerbread house in Peggie Stone Center, with everything provided; includes admission to Santa and S'mores. Cost: $40 for two participants per house.

Santa and S'mores, Saturday, December 7, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Meet Santa Claus, take a picture with him and Mrs. Claus, enjoy s'mores and other treats at Lang Lodge and check out the reindeer. Cost: $7 per person or $25 for a family of four.

Christmas & Cocktails, Friday, December 13, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with fantastic food, drinks, fun and your girlfriends at Lang Lodge. Advance registration is required. Cost: $22 per person through November 27; $28 per person November 28 through December 11.

For more information, call (231) 652-1184 or email campbiz@campnewaygo.org. Camp Newaygo is located at 5333 South Centerline Road in Newaygo. 

When people ask: "Why should I support and/or volunteer for TrueNorth Community Services?" We say: "Because ..."