Here's a digest of current business news and topics from Western Michigan:
Faith Hospice – West Michigan hospice provider announces capital campaign project to expand services and increase capacity
Faith Hospice has launched its Combining Care, Compassion, and Commitment Under One Roof capital campaign to expand its Trillium Woods campus, and increase services to serve more patients and families needing hospice care. Trillium Woods is Grand Rapids’ only inpatient hospice facility. The $2.86M campaign has already raised more than $1.5M in funds. Once complete, the project will include among other things a dedicated grief support center for individual, family and group bereavement counseling, a staff and volunteer respite and renewal center and a hospice training and education space, all to provide better and more effective patient and family hospice experiences. The campaign is taking place as Faith Hospice celebrates its 25th anniversary of serving the West Michigan community. Faith Hospice executives are available to comment on the details of the campaign and how they hope it will meet the needs of individuals and families requiring hospice care.
Mel Trotter Ministries – Movie filmed at Mel Trotter featuring Dean Cain debuts Oct. 8 at GR premiere party
A movie filmed in downtown Grand Rapids this summer will premiere at a special Oct. 10 showing at Celebration Cinema’s Studio Park location. The movie, “One Life at a Time” staring Dean Cain and Luke Schroder, tells the story of what homelessness looks like through the eyes of someone who had everything handed to him. Agency officials are available to chat about the film and special screenings. A trailer of the movie is available here.
Amway River Bank Run – Race organizers prepare for a different kind of finish line celebration
After announcing its intentions to be a virtual race, Amway River Bank Run organizers quickly got to work on coordinating a special Oct. 24 celebratory event for participants of all the races (5K, 10K and 25K) at Millennium Park in Walker. Organizers can discuss how the event will work and how they’re encouraging participants to do the virtual race. More information at https://amwayriverbankrun.com/.
Cruise the Great Lakes – Great Lakes cruise ship industry working toward safer 2021 cruise season
The cruise lines, ports, municipalities and travel bureaus serving the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway have released a list of safety protocols in effect for the 2021 cruising season. Organized by the international coalition, Cruise the Great Lakes, the group is focusing on getting the word out now so travelers can rest assured that 2021 cruising will be safe to enjoy. Coalition board chair, Travel Michigan’s Dave Lorenz, is available for interviews.
Noodles & Company –Michigan franchises urges guest to fight against childhood hunger in September by supporting “No Kid Hungry”
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the inequalities, like food insecurity, facing many Michigan children. Michigan Noodles & Company restaurants have joined the fight against childhood hunger for the fifth consecutive year. Between Sept. 4 and Oct. 15, guests can support No Kid Hungry® at area Noodles restaurants. By donating $2, guests will receive a coupon for a free Shareable on another visit, as well as Rewards points for existing Rewards members. Donations to No Kid Hungry® support Michigan schools and organizations like the YMCA, who provide meal assistance to kids. Since 2018, Michigan Noodles restaurants and guests have donated nearly $40,000 to No Kid Hungry®, the equivalent of approximately 400,000 meals. Noodles executives are available for comment on their role in this worthwhile cause.
Association for Corporate Growth – Sept. 24 webinar to focus on future of autonomous vehicles
ACG Western Michigan will facilitate a panel discussion webinar from 8 to 9 a.m. Sept. 24 around the current state of development, commercialization of, and major players in the autonomous vehicles space. Learn about the market influence of autonomous transport, the industry’s most likely to be affected, and the impact to the current automotive supply chain. The event is free to ACM WM members, and $20 for non-members. More info here: https://acgwm.wildapricot.org/event-3926277.
DO MORE GOOD - White House and Facebook executives speaking at Oct. 1 West Michigan nonprofit event
The 2020 DO MORE GOOD Nonprofit Conference will be held via livestream Oct. 1 and will host high profile speakers such as Nicole Frazier, the director of African American outreach for the White House, and Kendra Sinclair, the nonprofit program manager for Facebook. With an intent to be “exceptionally affordable” DO MORE GOOD will charge a ticket fee of $55 for access to the livestream, but is also offering free access to the livestream for new subscribers to their membership platform which costs $99/year/organization. The conference which was originally planned to host over 300 in person attendees in downtown Grand Rapids will now offer livestream access to nonprofit organizations from across the nation. A “watch party” in Grand Rapids will be held, if gathering restrictions allow. For a speaker lineup and additional information on the DO MORE GOOD Nonprofit Conference, please visit domoregood.org/annual conference.
