Out and About: Grand Rapids Ballet

The Grand Rapids Ballet is teeming with exciting new performances under the exuberant guidance of its new artistic director, James Sofranko. Innovative, exclusive premieres are debuting, and the classics are being reimagined. 

Focus On: Patricia’s Chocolate

Over the course of two years, Patty Christopher honed her art and focused on chocolate - high-quality chocolate. As she continued to study, she began buying supplies, equipment, and ingredients, creating her own special melt-in-your-mouth treats and sharing with family and friends for taste-testing.

Building Community: Local First

The budding group of members experienced exponential growth, so, in 2007, four years after its inception, Local First hired Elissa Sengalli Hillary as director and acquired nonprofit status in order to begin fundraising. In just two years, Local First membership grew from 150 to over 500 locally owned businesses and was able to hire additional staff to assist Hillary in brainstorming new undertakings the organization could sustain.

Building Community: The Storehouse

Various nonprofit organizations and churches can now pay a small fee and receive access to household goods, personal hygiene products, and teaching supplies for free. The Storehouse distributes the goods, and World Vision replenishes the supplies as needed.

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