West Michigan Church Raises Funds for Men’s Shelter

This summer, Sheila Warners and 9-year-old Karlee French went knocking on doors, asking people how many pillows they had in their home. Then they asked if homeowners would be willing to donate $1 for each pillow to raise funds for Love INC’s new men’s shelter in Grand Haven, Mich.

“One home gave us $32. We just picked pillows because that is an item that would be bought with our money to equip a room at the shelter,” said Warners.

The idea was just one of many creative ideas that members of Second Christian Reformed Church of Grand Haven (a 449-member congregation) came up with for their six-week “Make Room” fund-raiser to support Love INC.

The final tally of funds raised is revealed at Celebration Night.

“We felt that we could ‘Make Room’—not only a room at Love, but room in our hearts for people in need,” said church member Julie Hordyk. “We challenged all our members to do just a little bit. The idea was that if everyone did a little, together we could do much. Every member of the congregation, regardless of age, was encouraged to participate.”

Small groups, families, and individuals came up with creative ideas such as hosting a bike-a-thon and getting sponsors, doing chores around the house, collecting money for each book read, and making and selling blankets and wooden vases.

“I really felt the need to participate because God has given me so much, including the ability to ride a bike, so why not ride it for him and his kingdom,” said Jason Zuidema, who organized a 40-mile bike ride. “We are called to use what he has given us to benefit his kingdom. That is partially what kept me going throughout the ride.”

Second CRC also sponsored a pop can and loose change drive that brought in $1,000. The goal was to raise $3,870 to furnish one room of the homeless shelter. After six weeks, the grand total of $4,272.09 was revealed at a Celebration Night, with a bit more coming in that night to raise the total to $4,376.74