Local Drive Prepares Muskegon Area Children for School

In just a few short weeks, local children will be back to school and in their classrooms, learning and growing, but many Muskegon area students will start school without the needed school supplies. For this reason, Mercy General Health Partner’s Mission Services team has engaged hospital associates in collecting school supplies for kids in need.

“It’s incredible what the associates at Mercy General have been doing.  A few weeks ago I sent a simple email asking our associates to consider picking up some extra supplies when they are out shopping, taking advantage of the school supply sales this time of year,” says Tom Powers, Mercy General’s Mission Services Director. “They have responded with boxes and boxes of school supplies.”

This school supply drive is one of several outreach initiatives over the past several years by Mercy General associates.  Many Mercy General associates participate in a program called the Power of One.

“The Power of One is all about encouragement and personally acting for change in West Michigan. The idea is if each of our Mercy General associates donates one afternoon in a soup kitchen, delivers meals to the elderly, or gives needed funds or supplies, the local community would be a stronger, more vibrant place to live and work. We believe that one smile, one touch, one meal or one backpack full of school supplies can make a powerful difference,” says Roger Spoelman, President and CEO of Mercy Health Partners.

Hundreds of school supplies, from pencils and notebooks to backpacks and markers have been collected.  Mercy General’s associates are donating the supplies to Loaves and Fishes Pantry for their Back-to-School sale, where children in need will be able to get all their school supplies for just a few cents.

Through the Power of One program, Mercy General associates regularly donate time and resources including working in local soup kitchens and providing hygiene kit supplies to International Aid. Current efforts include; supporting a Muskegon area youth hygiene event on August 11 by supplying middle school girls and boys with health and hygiene education and supplies, a benefit car wash on August 9 for a fellow associate stricken with cancer, and supporting MHP associates who are participating in the local Juvenile Diabetes walk on September 29.

“Not only do our associates have big hearts, but Mercy General does as well.  Through our Mission Services work, Mercy General supports many important community initiatives, including the Health Project, health clinics, the uninsured, and community health outreach projects,” stated Powers.