United Way of Southwest Michigan announces 2019 Live United Scholarship winners
The LIVE UNITED Youth Scholarship Award recognizes one self-nominated winner from Berrien County and one from Cass County who demonstrates a commitment to volunteerism through innovation, dedication, and advocacy for community improvement throughout their high school career. This year’s Berrien County winner is Caleigh Dahn. Caleigh is a home-schooled senior who will be attending Northern Michigan University in Marquette this fall. Her volunteer work includes raising $15,000 for the Coloma Amicus Dog Park as well as helming its construction for her Girl Scout Gold Award. She also organizes food drives for area pantries, makes cancer clinic blankets, helped with United Way’s School Supply Spectacular, attended a sea turtle conservation volunteer program with Outward Bound, and worked on repair and conservation projects in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
“Seeing the impact that I have on other people by doing simple things opens my mind up to how others live differently because of their circumstances. This motivates me to continue volunteering because I know that simple things done by individuals make a big difference,” says Caleigh. The Cass County winner is Bailey Anson, an outgoing senior from Edwardsburg High School. Bailey has organized weekend backpacks of food for children in need, set up awareness events for Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), cleaned up trash along area highways with the Edwardsburg Lions Club, and volunteered at local basketball and softball camps for youth. She plans to continue her volunteer work when she attends Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids this fall, and into her adult life.
“I intend to find volunteer work within my college community and later on in life whether that is through church, the local food pantry, a homeless shelter, a club or organization based on community service,” says Bailey. “I see volunteerism as a huge part of my life ahead of me. Not only does it impact the community and people who are in need, it helps me to know I am doing my best to serve and give back to those less fortunate and to the community where I live.” Each winner has received a $1,000 scholarship made out to their chosen college on their behalf. The Berrien County winner was chosen by a panel of their peers through the T.E.A.M. (Teams Exhibiting Able Minds) program with Berrien Community Foundation, and the Cass County winner was chosen by the Y.A.C. (Youth Advisory Council) at the Michigan Gateway Foundation. The winners will be officially recognized at the United Way Volunteer Recognition Event on October 3, 2019. For more information, visit uwsm.org/nominate-a-volunteer.
Berrien Community Foundation awards $117,651 in “For Good” Grants
Coloma receives funding for Randall Park and schools; Watervliet for a kids playground The Berrien Community Foundation recently awarded “For Good” Grants totaling $117,651 to 25 Berrien County nonprofit organizations. In Coloma, grants were made to City of Coloma DDA for Randall Park equipment and landscaping and to Coloma Community Schools to purchase sound equipment for the performing arts department. In Watervliet, a grant was made to Watervliet Free Methodist Church to build a community outdoor playground for kids. Brian E. Hall, Pastor of Watervliet Free Methodist Church, said, “What a blessing to receive grant monies from the Berrien Community Foundation to help us with our new community playground area. This is one of many steps forward to build our campus to meet the needs of the community.” Berrien Community Foundation received applications from 32 service organizations requesting more than $200,000. There will be a second round of grants this year. Those applications are due by September 10. “We are pleased to partner with so many service agencies to make Good happen in Berrien County.” said Lisa Cripps-Downey, President, Berrien Community Foundation (BCF). “Thankfully the many generous gifts made to the BCF Endowment Fund will allow us to support even more organizations who apply for ‘For Good’ Grant funds in the future.” BCF Program Manager Susan Matheny explained that community volunteers make the grant decisions. “We rely on people from all over Berrien County to volunteer their time and knowledge of their communities to help us prioritize and make great decisions,” she said. “We continue to work to grow our Community Endowment to meet more needs, but those volunteers do the hard work of grant review.” For information about BCF call 983-3304 or visit www.berriencommunity.org.
Brat & Corn Roast in Berrien Springs July 30
On Tuesday, July 30, 2019 the Berrien County Shrine Club is holding their annual Brat & Corn Roast fundraiser at the Sportsman’s Club in Berrien Springs starting at 6:00 p.m. Tickets for this event are $10 for adults; children under 10 eat for free. The meal includes brats, sweet corn, baked beans and potato salad, plus condiments and beverages. There will be raffle drawing. Winner need not be present to win. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Berrien County Shrine Club. Payments are not deductible as charitable contributions. Call Jim Cobianco at 269-214-4646 for tickets and more information. Berrien County Sportsman’s Club is located at 2985 E. Linco Road in Berrien Springs.
Berrien County Youth Fair Home Ec Clinic
Interested in entering a BCYF Home Ec exhibit but have some questions? Learn what to do and what not to do, tips and tidbits on Thursday, July 18, 2019 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Berrien County Youth Fair Youth Memorial Building. This clinic is open to Berrien County youth ages 5 – 20 (as of January 1, 2019) and their families. Topics of the evening will include baking, cake decorating, candy making, canning, knitting, crocheting, sewing, table setting, and basic entry day info. Exhibitors are welcomed to bring a project or idea for review and feedback. Questions can be addressed by contacting the Fair office at 269-473-4251. Berrien County Youth Fair dates are August 12-17 with the theme “Country Nights and Carnival Lights.”
Free soccer camp for kids
Midway Baptist Church is offering their annual soccer camp for kids from 5 to 10 years old. No prior soccer experience is necessary. The camp is for both the athletic and non-athletic. The camp will be Monday thru Friday, August 5-9 from 9 a.m. to noon. Organizers have singing, skits, Bible lessons, drill and games planned. Kids are encouraged to invite their friends. Parents are invited to meet in the hospitality area to build friendships. There is no cost and the participants will receive a camper kit, t-shirt, water bottle, and soccer ball. Pre-register online at www.midwayministries.org. Midway Baptist Church is located at 7517 Red Arrow Hwy. in Watervliet. Call the church at 463-3195 for more information.
Free library opens in Watervliet
The River church has officially opened a free Christian based library. This library has thousands of books (fiction and non-fiction), DVDs, Sermon Series and study materials that anyone can check out at no cost. Authors include John Bevere, Joyce Meyer and many more powerful writers and speakers. To take advantage of these amazing resources, the Resource Center is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday each week. It is located at 8712 Red Arrow Hwy in Watervliet. Please call (269)463-3224 for more information.
Community Calendar
Thursday, July 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m. “AUTO INSURANCE & ROADS FORUM” organized by Rep. Pauline Wendzel at Kinexus, 499 W. Main St., Benton Harbor. For more information, you may contact Rep. Wendzel’s office at 517-373-1403 or via email at PaulineWendzel@house.mi.gov. Thursday, July 18, 6 p.m. “TIMOTHY EVANS LECTURE” on NASA experience at Coloma Public Library; free program open to the public. Saturday, July 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. “CAR WASH” at Watervliet Free Methodist Church, 7734 Paw Paw Ave. Fundraiser for children’s Ark Encounter trip. Saturday, July 20, 1 – 3 p.m. “APOLLO 11 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION” at Watervliet District Library Sunday, July 21, 2 p.m. “VB HISTORICAL MUSEUM SPEAKER” is Steve Rossiio presentation on World War I. Call 269-621-2188 Wed., Fri., or Sunday for more information, noon to 5. Admission is $5 for 12 and up, $2 for 5-11. July 22-27 “VINTAGE SALE” fundraiser for Hartford Public Library community center building project during regular library hours. For more information contact the library at (269)621-3408 or email hartfordlib@yahoo.com. Monday, July 22, 7-8 p.m. “UFO’s OVER MICHIGAN” presentation by Bill Konkolesky at Watervliet District Library. Monday, July 22, 7 p.m. “VB REGIONAL GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY MEETING” at Van Buren Conference Center, 490 S. Paw Paw St., Lawrence. Free event; public invited. For more information about this and other programs, email to vbrgs@yahoo.com, visit vbrgs.org, or check out their Facebook page, VBRGS Southwest Michigan Genealogy. Thursday, July 25, 3 p.m. “TURTLES OF SARETT” naturalist program at Sarett Nature Center, 2300 Benton Center Rd., Benton Harbor. Adult nonmembers cost is $5 and children are free. Friday, July 26, 4:30-7 p.m. “SALAD & DESSERT SUPPER” at the Van Buren County Historical Museum, 58471 Red Arrow Highway in Hartford. Free will donation. Saturday, July 27, 4-9 p.m. “WHS CLASS OF 1977 60TH BIRTHDAY PARTY” in the banquet room at Chief’s Bar, 4790 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor. More details may be found on the “WHS Class of 1977 Reunion” page on Facebook; by contacting Greg Krell at thekrell59@yahoo.com, or by calling Greg at 269-876-8260. Sunday, July 28, 1 p.m. “KAYAK TRIP FOR ADULTS” with Sarett Nature Center naturalist. Meet at Sarett to be shuttled to Jasper Dairy boat launch in Berrien Springs. $20/person; call 927-4832 to register. Tuesday, July 30, 6 p.m. “BRAT & CORN ROAST” annual fundraiser for Berrien County Shrine Club at Berrien Springs Sportsman’s Club, 2985 E. Linco Rd. Tickets are $10 each (children under 10 eat for free). Call Jim Cobianco at 269-214-4646 for tickets and more information. August 5-9, 9 a.m.-noon “SOCCER CAMP” at Midway Baptist Church, 7517 Red Arrow Hwy, Watervliet, for kids ages 5-10. FREE. Pre-register at www.midwayministries.org August 8-10 “VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL” at Calvary Pentecostal Church, 13 South Haver St., Hartford. Thursday & Friday 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday Fun Fair 11 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information contact Kerri Archie at (269) 254-5929. Friday, Aug. 9, 9 a.m. “COMMUNITY GOLF MIXER” hosted by NB Community Development & Coloma Watervliet Area Chamber of Commerce at Paw Paw Golf Club, 4548 Forest Beach Rd., Watervliet. 4-person scramble; $60/person. RSVP to Chana Kniebes at 269-757-2457 or chana@coloma-watervliet.org by Aug. 1 Saturday, Aug. 10, 4 p.m. “CHS CLASS OF 1979 REUNION” at 10023 Rose Hill Rd, Berrien Springs. RSVP required. For more information contact Debbie Becker, debbecker@rocketmail.com or Debbie (Ory) Beckert, debbeckert@gmail.com. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2 p.m. “VB HISTORICAL MUSEUM SPEAKER” is Tyler Sleep presentation on Van Buren County police agencies. Call 269-621-2188 Wed., Fri., or Sunday for more information, noon to 5. Admission is $5 for 12 and up, $2 for 5-11.