Plant-a-Row For Hunger

For thousands of local families, putting healthy food on the table continues to be a daily struggle. Rising costs, limited resources and gaps in assistance programs mean many households turn to the TrueNorth’s Hunger Prevention Programs for support, especially when it comes to accessing fresh produce.

That’s why programs like Plant-a-Row for Hunger are so important.
Each year, generous local gardeners and farmers plant extra rows specifically to donate fresh vegetables to TrueNorth’s Food Center. These donations provide nutritious food that is often difficult and expensive for families to obtain. Last year alone, the campaign brought in more than 9,000 pounds of fresh produce for local households.

Financial supporters also help provide seeds to families interested in starting home gardens of their own — creating opportunities for healthier meals, greater self-sufficiency and even stronger family connections.

One local family used seeds from TrueNorth to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli and herbs for the very first time. They preserved food for the winter and even shared extra produce with four other families in need.

You can help local families access healthy food this growing season. Whether by making a gift to support Hunger Prevention Programs, donating fresh produce from your garden or planting an extra row to share, your support helps neighbors experience nourishment, dignity and hope — one row at a time.

COE Celebrates Volunteers

We often say volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. The fact of the matter is; we wouldn’t be able to accomplish a fraction of what we do without them. In 2025, 383 individuals gave almost 10,000 hours of their time and talents to TrueNorth. 

Every year, TrueNorth honors several individuals and organizations with public recognition at our Community of Efforts celebration. The event, which features live music and a catered meal, in addition to the awards presentations, is designed as a well-deserved thank you to TrueNorth’s many volunteers and donors.

The event featured a delicious dinner, courtesy of Taste of Home Catering and dessert provided by The Great Bakes. Jazz vocalist Marquita Bernard accompanied herself on the 1912 TrueNorth Steinway and provided the perfect atmosphere and entertainment.

Community Awards this year were given out as follows: Kurt Sanderson (pictured above) received the Bessie Slautterback Award for lifetime service; Judy Chelsey received the Gene Cotton Award for creating a brighter future; Croton Township received the Peggie Stone Award for commitment to youth; and Darren Walker and the Healthy Plant Worm Farm received the Community Partner Award for generosity.

The following individuals received Program Awards: Bridget Fitzpatrick received the Camp Newaygo Award; Ruth Betar received the Children’s Services Award; Dennis and Phyllis Sano received the Community Connections Award; Lori Eslick received the Cultural Arts Award; Leighan Campeau received the Hunger Prevention Award; Greg McAllister received the Out-of-School Time Program Award; Jayne Elenbaas received the Spirit of TrueNorth Award; and Kathy Machuta received the TrueMentors Award.

To learn more about getting involved with TrueNorth, contact Madison Butler at (231) 924-0641, ext. 112 or mbutler@truenorthservices.org.

Student Art Exhibit

TrueNorth recently celebrated the creativity and talent of local middle and high school students during its annual student Art Contest and Exhibit, a long-standing event that gives young artists the opportunity to share their work with the community and earn scholarships to support their artistic growth.

This year’s exhibit featured artwork from students across Newaygo County, with awards recognizing outstanding individual pieces, senior artists and student portfolios. Scholarship winners received cash awards to help fund art classes, camps or supplies as they continue developing their creative skills.

The exhibit was judged by Lindsay Isenhart, Program Coordinator for the Newaygo County Council for the Arts.

Beyond the ribbons and scholarships, the event celebrated the imagination, hard work and personal expression of local students.

The exhibit is important to youth, as Newaygo High School art teacher Casmara Karrip shares, “An art show is so important because it gives students the chance to truly be seen for their creativity, ideas and individuality. Watching students gain confidence and pride in sharing their work is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching art. The exhibit reminds them that creativity matters and that their voices and talents deserve to be celebrated.” 

One Director’s Choice winner will also have their artwork purchased by TrueNorth to become part of the organization’s permanent collection of student artwork.

A full list of award winners can be found here. A video can be found here.

Jerry Secures Housing

Sixty-six year old Jerry used to drive a truck and made a good living at it, but found making ends meet in retirement much more difficult. He and his wife, who was battling serious health concerns, were living in a rented trailer, which was in pretty bad shape, with several broken windows and holes in the floor. That’s when things went from bad to worse. 

Jerry shared, “It all started in March (of 2025), my dog died, then my car burned up, then my wife died… and then I had to have a tumor taken out (of my brain). After the surgery, they sent me home but I wasn’t doing too good. Come to find out, my brain wasn’t sending signals to my adrenal glands… and I got really sick from it.” 

Due to these personal tragedies and health issues, things got so bad for Jerry, he even considered ending his own life. Thankfully, through word-of-mouth, Jerry had heard of TrueNorth and decided to walk into the Oceana County housing office, located at Love INC. in Shelby, to see if he could get help finding a new place to live. He had been trying to navigate the complicated systems and procedures involved but felt he wasn’t getting anywhere.

“I was just spinning my tires in the mud… but finally, we landed on some solid ground,” Jerry stated. Jerry says he simply wouldn’t have been able to do it all on his own, and he would have ended up homeless without the help he received from TrueNorth’s housing and emPower programs. He shared that his overall mental state changed from poor to excellent between August of 2025 and March of 2026. His hopes for himself a year from now are; “Getting back on my feet and trying to enjoy life.”

Golf Outing

This snapshot says it all – teams lined up, carts ready and a full day of purpose about to begin.  That’s the spirit of our annual Tee Up For TrueNorth golf outing and we are ready to do it all again!

This event is more than a great day on the course – it’s a chance to come together and support something that truly matters in Newaygo County. Proceeds benefit our Community Connections Program, which strives to create safe spaces for older adults to connect with and serve the community. It’s about building connections, encouraging growth and improving lives.

Whether you joined us last year or are thinking about signing up for the first time, this outing is for everyone. Looking at this photo, you can feel the energy, the anticipation and the sense of community. That’s what Tee Up For TrueNorth is all about – coming together to make a difference.

Grab your team, secure your spot and get ready to line up once again. Let’s fill the course, fire up the carts and tee off for something bigger than the game itself. Register today here!

STEAM Challenge

Annually TrueNorth’s Out-of-School Time Programs host their STEAM Challenge, a day full of projects, exhibits and, yes… challenges, surrounding Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics.   

This year’s event, held at Hesperia Community Schools, focused on the theme – “there’s a superhero in everyone!” Approximately 135 students from 13 different Project FOCUS and Project FOCUS Rural Grit sites gathered, along with 115 community members, for a day full of superhero-themed activities, contests, exhibits and surprise day-of challenges. 

For the Main Challenge, groups of up to five students were to create an original superhero character and provide a visual representation of them. Their hero had to have a unique name, powers or abilities and a clear purpose.

“We hadn’t done a superhero theme before, and we got to design and build our own shields and heroes. As a team, we saved the day, so we were the heroes rather than the ones learning about them,” stated Eliel Lopez, an 8th grader from Hart Middle School.

Students also entered artwork into the open art competition, and the 3D art challenges where students were directed to create a superhero shield. They had to include a one-dimensional “blueprint” of their design and had to follow strict rules on size and construction materials.

“Bringing students together for the STEAM Challenge is very important to our program, as it creates opportunities for kids to connect, collaborate and learn from one another,” said Kelly Pascavis, Hart Middle School Site Coordinator. “It encourages teamwork, creativity and problem-solving through hands-on activities. Events like this strengthen relationships between schools and show students that learning, innovation and working together can make a positive impact.” 

Getting Connected Through ENGAGE!

Sue Kommer moved back to Newaygo County after an extended time away. As she put it; she had always been involved in whatever community she lived in, often volunteering with various Veterans organizations. As a former combat medic with the Army, it is a cause close to her heart. “I always tried to stay engaged,” she stated.  

She moved back to Michigan to care for an aging parent, and after their passing, found herself in an empty house, alone. The idea of social isolation became very real to her.  “Especially moving (back) here to Fremont, where I was not part of a community. When I worked, I was always engaged with other people, but just sitting at home is a perfect way to social isolation…” Sue said.

She read about ENGAGE! and did a self-referral to the program. Sue shared with the ENGAGE! link worker about her past experiences volunteering and how she wanted to get involved giving back.

Due to some physical restrictions, Sue can only spend limited time on her feet. Recognizing this, she volunteers with the Call & Connect program, where she calls and checks on home-bound older adults. She also started attending various Community Connections activities, including Friday volunteering and occasionally helping out at TrueNorth’s front desk.  

Sue sums up her experience nicely, “I don’t need people to take me under their wing and make my life better… I just need to be able to give back and meet individuals who are in the same situation. The opportunities here, through ENGAGE! are awesome.”

If you are interested in learning more about ENGAGE! click the button below or call (231) 924-0641.

Bowlapalooza 2026

Strikes, spares and strong community connections are at the heart of Bowlapalooza, the annual bowling fundraiser benefiting TrueMentors, TrueNorth’s youth mentoring program. Each year, Bowlapalooza invites community members to come together for a fun night out while supporting meaningful connections for local kids.

This year’s Bowlapalooza takes place at Fremont Lanes on April 16th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, and April 17th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm or 8:00 – 10:00 pm. The event serves as a celebration of supporters’ annual fundraising efforts, bringing together families, friends and change-makers who believe in the power of mentorship.

Funds raised through Bowlapalooza support TrueMentors’ youth mentoring initiatives, including community-based mentoring, school-based mentoring and outdoor-based mentoring. These programs connect children in Newaygo County with caring adult role models who provide guidance, encouragement and positive experiences that help youth grow into confident, caring individuals.

“Many kids in our communities need supportive role models,” said Chadwick Walenga, TrueMentors Coordinator. “When our community comes together for Bowlapalooza, it not only helps ensure more youth receive the guidance they need, but it also shows them they are surrounded by people who care.”

Community members are encouraged to form teams and raise pledges to support the program. Individuals who raise $40 or more will receive two games of bowling with shoe rental, a Bowlapalooza t-shirt and a door prize entry on their designated bowling night. The top adult fundraiser (age 18 and older) will receive the event’s grand prize.

To learn more, register or start fundraising, visit truenorthservices.org/event/bowl.

Belonging Through Volunteerism

Belonging is built through shared experiences, hospitality and showing up for one another. At TrueNorth, placemaking means more than physical spaces. It’s about creating environments where people feel seen, valued and connected.

Doug Bonner knows firsthand the power of service to create belonging. For him, volunteering isn’t just about giving time, it’s about shaping spaces where people feel at home. “It takes time to get to know the people,” Doug shares. “We’re getting feedback on their stories. We’re building relationships that make this place feel like ours.”

Doug also emphasizes the importance of seeing and understanding the needs in our community. “We are not aware of the needs because we are not exposed to them,” he says. “We go about our daily life, go back to our little half-acre or whatever it is, and have blinders on. You don’t see the people in need because they’re not on the street. It’s not until you come here, to TrueNorth, that you start to see and get exposed to the need… and then you start to understand how many people in our community are affected. Part of belonging is being exposed to the need, and then you can’t put the genie back in the bottle.”

Food, Doug explains, is a common language that grounds us, reinforces our humanity and opens the door to connection. “The sharing of food is a basic act we need to do with our neighbors,” he says. Whether greeting families at our Mobile Food Pantry or helping in the Food Center, Doug shows how every smile, conversation and helping hand turns shared spaces into communities where everyone belongs.

This spring, we’re strengthening that sense of belonging by inviting families and youth to serve together during our extended Thursday evening hours. Being open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm makes it easier for busy community members to connect, serve and build relationships across generations.

But the impact doesn’t stop there! There are countless ways to make a difference in our community. From helping during a Mobile Food Pantry, to supporting special events and programs, every act of service turns our shared spaces into communities where everyone belongs.

We appreciate all of our volunteers, and National Volunteer Week, April 19 – 25, is a special time to specifically thank our volunteers for all the hard work they do for TrueNorth. We encourage you to try volunteering too! Reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at (231) 924-0641, ext. 112 or volunteer@truenorthservices.org.

Local Support Key

Before it was a gathering place for thousands each year, Camp Newaygo began as something much simpler; a promise. A promise rooted in Newaygo County, shaped by local relationships and realized through community support, starting in 1926.

That year, William J. Branstrom, a respected Newaygo County philanthropist, sold property on Pickerel Lake to the Grand Rapids YWCA for one dollar. The transaction reflected a shared understanding. The land would be thoughtfully stewarded and used to serve young people for generations as Camp Newaygo.

Branstrom was well known throughout Fremont and the surrounding area for his commitment to community spaces and civic life. His generosity supported Branstrom Park, the Fremont Arboretum and the Hesperia Library, honoring his mother, Amelia S. Branstrom. The gift of property to become Camp Newaygo fit naturally within that legacy as it was an investment in people, place and long-term community well-being.

The YWCA selected the Pickerel Lake site with intention. Access to clean water, wooded land and a setting that encouraged focus and connection made it well suited for a resident camp experience. At a time when
opportunities for girls outside the home were limited, Camp Newaygo was designed to provide structure, leadership development and independence through outdoor living. The natural environment was central to that purpose, shaping programs that emphasized cooperation, responsibility and growth.

From the beginning, Camp Newaygo was woven into local life in Newaygo County. Nancy Reber Johnson recalled how her father and William Branstrom would walk home together from their law offices on Main Street in Fremont, their lengthy conversations often delaying lunch. Nancy and her sister, Marge Salata, were among the first campers to attend Camp Newaygo, reflecting the close ties between the Camp and local families.

Camp Newaygo opened under the operation of the Grand Rapids YWCA, welcoming girls from Newaygo County and beyond. The original cabin structures were built to support shared living and time outdoors. All nine of those original cabins remain standing today and are fully in use by current campers and programs, providing a direct, living connection between Camp’s earliest seasons and its modern operation.

The acquisition of Camp Newaygo’s land in 1926 established a clear purpose that has guided the Camp for a century. One hundred years later, now a program of TrueNorth Community Services, that foundation
continues to support a thriving, community centered organization