Check out Wishes For Kids!

http://www.wishesforkids.myevent.com/3/events.htm
Check it out! They are helping buy a local child a horse!

Wishes For Kids along with your help, is going to purchase Maddie her own horse and two years of boarding.  We have an opportunity to make Maddie's wish come true.  Maddie has no idea that she will be receiving her own horse!  I cannot wait to sit down next to her and give her the good news.

Fun to see our little heroes on the news!

See original article & a video here:
http://grcentral.wzzm13.com/news/news/man-donates-35-gallons-blood/57630

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM) - Every two seconds someone in this country is in need of blood.  While nearly 40% of the U. S. population is eligible to donate blood, less than 10% do.
One West Michigan man has dedicated most of his life to blood donation by donating 35 gallons of blood, that's the equivalent to saving 840 lives.
Recently, Dick Benjamin also began donating platelets because he wanted to help pediatric cancer patients who need it as part of their treatment.
We surprised him with a visit to the Helen De Vos Children's Hospital to meet one of the many patients who benefit from his generous donation.  We headed to the 10th floor - the home to pediatric cancer patients.
Dr. David Dickens is a pediatric oncologist and explains why people like Dick are so important, "Without platelet transfusions patients undergoing chemotherapy very commonly would have problems with bleeding that won't stop."
Gerrit Baas has brain cancer, he receives blood platelet transfusions an average of twice a week and is only able to continue chemotherapy because of donors like Dick.
"Meeting these kids just makes my day," says Dick. Gerrit tells him his brain tumor was discovered because his vision was getting blurry, "When they took the MRI they found out I had a tumor and they tried removing it but they couldn't take it all out so now I'm having chemo."
And Gerrit says receiving platelet transfusions is actually kind of fun, "It's pretty much just sitting in a chair watching TV all day.
Before it's time to say goodbye Dick gives his final hug of the day makes a promise to continuing giving Gerrit the platelets he and other pediatric cancer patients need for as long as he can.
If you've been inspired by Dick Benjamin's story to donate blood or platelets you're in luck. MI Blood is holding a blood drive May 24th - May 26th at its main location on Fuller Avenue in Grand Rapids.

Makeover & Limo party!

On May 17^th the For a Day Foundation of Grand Rapids hosted a private visit for 6 yr old "A", her 9 yr old sister "Z" and her mom. Due to conflicts in her schedule, mom had to back out at the last minute but dad was a trooper and stepped in to fill mom’s space.

Our event started out at S & S Salon in Byron Center, MI. Stylist, Denise, added Shimmerz to both girls along with make-up and a cute style. Tracie, nail tech, pampered our Queens with a pedicure. After the pampering, Tracie and Denise presented each girl with with a small bag of product. For a Day gave each girl a gift bag and presented our queen with a flower bouquet. The girls were all smiles. 

After an hour at the salon, the transportation arrived.  An Excursion Limo!!! The girls changed into new dresses that mom had bought for the occasion and piled into their elegant ride.  Adding to the feel of celebrity, the limo arrived at the same time a school bus was dropping off a group of kids. The girls enjoyed the looks from the moms waiting in the drive and the kids exiting the bus and pointing at the big, white limo in front of them!!!  Thanks to Affordable Limousine and our wonderful driver, Nick!!!

The limo transported the girls to the Grand Rapids Fraternal Order of Police Hall, donated by the City of Grand Rapids. There, police officer and photographer, John Riley, had a studio set up to snap some pics of the girls and their dad. While the pictures were being taken, I picked up dinner for the 3 of them. "A"s choice, a cheeseburger kids meal with only ketchup and pickle. The pickle was had to be taken off  though before she ate the burger. J  True “kid” style. Dinner and necklaces for each girl were donated by Holly Littell.

 The girls and dad had a wonderful afternoon and were a little worn out by all the excitement of the day.

Grand Rapids Hero for a Day!

Another great day at the Grand Rapids Fire Department!

Special thanks to:
GRFD (Honorary Fire Truck Ride to the Griffins!)
Grand Rapids Pizza Delivery
Grand Rapids Griffins (Tour, Photos, Goodies, and more)
West Michigan Whitecaps (autographed baseball)

Donation from Heather Frank

Thank you Heather for the donation of

Red, White, and Blue fabric!

We are still accepting donations of fabric! Your donations will help us reach our fundraising goals this fall, and will also be used in carepackages for children.

Thank you!

Donation from Theresa McMillen!

(Sorry about the photo, I didn't want to take them out of the packages.)

Thank you Theresa for the donation of these beautiful rings!
Our Queens will love them!

Thanks!

(By the way, if there is anyone out there with fabric that they aren't using please send it our way!)

Our return visit to Special Days Camp!

On January 29th For A Day of Grand Rapids made a return visit to Special Days Camp at Camp Pendalouan for their Winter Camp session. A total of 100 kids ages 5 to 18 attended camp during this weekend.

Rob Pease and Brad Brown of the Grand Rapids Fire Department came to join the children while sledding & on the toboggan run. The kids thoroughly enjoyed their company & were voting which fireman was the better sled pusher. Inside the dining lodge we set up games, treats, and makeovers. Miss Michigan, Katie Laroche and WOTV’s the Face of 4, Morgan Lind, were there for the crowning moment. Miss River Raisin, Tamara Korican, applied makeup. Other Volunteers in attendance included, Julie McGraw, Heather Dewey, Robyn Besteman, Vonnie Sypkens, Julie Sypkens (photographer), Danielle Woellper, Stacy Coilk, Jenifer Betteridge, Perla and Kimberly Scott, and 4 stylists; Colleen Ball Lauren LeClair, Jillian Rycenga, and Stephanie Willis. (A special thanks to Colleen for organizing the hair station!) The hair style station has proven to be among the favorite places for the girls. A few girls were thrilled to see familiar faces amongst the stylists and were happily showing off the same beautiful hair styles that they had during Summer Camp. In addition to our makeover stations we had tattoos, games, art projects, and cookie decorating.

The kids had multiple activities over a 2 and ½ hour time period and had a blast moving from one activity to another. Inside the lodge you could see boys walking past the windows outside sporting a pink boa or a shiny new tiara. It was quite a sight & great to see them join the make-over fun! A few of the young men walked around sporting their new polished nails as well. (I think we have started a new trend at Special Days!)