It Works Gives Back
It Works strives to enhance the lives of others in our community by touching the lives of those in need financially, practically, and emotionally through our It Works Gives Back program. By joining hands with the disadvantaged, we bring comfort and service to those in need through various outlets, and our lives are enriched by it each time. We believe that this is not just our civic duty, but also our calling as human beings.
Kindsey Neeson is the head of our It Works Gives Back Program. Her sensitivity toward others’ needs and her passion for finding ways to help the disadvantaged helps us engage in meaningful projects throughout our community.
Winter 2008
A Walk in Their Shoes
This winter, It Works joined together to raise money and collect food to donate to a local homeless shelter, Mel Trotter. We went to a moving informational exhibit called “A Walk in Their Shoes” that was put on by the shelter and displayed the moving circumstances in which homeless individuals must survive.
During the holiday season, the It Works office housed a “giving tree” on which ornaments were hung that listed items for different families in need. The It Works team came together to provide clothes, toys, and food for these families during the holiday season. It Works also hosted a sock drive for homeless people in the Grand Rapids area. As we learned from the Mel Trotter exhibit, socks, while practical and inexpensive, are often high on the list of needs for the homeless who are on their feet all day during the cold winter months.
For more information on how to help homeless people in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, visit: www.meltrotter.org
Fall 2008
Miles for MPS
This fall the It Works team came together and participated in a Walk for MPS. Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) and related diseases are genetic lysosomal storage diseases caused by the body’s inability to produce specific enzymes. Although there is currently no cure for MSP, research is making great strides. We’ve made major advancements in research thanks to the fundraising efforts of the society and its members. It Works was proud to give back to the community by supporting MPS financially through corporate sponsors and individual efforts.
If you are interested in getting involved or in supporting MPS families, you can find more information at http://www.mpssociety.org
Spring 2008
Penny War for Homeless Youth Graduation
The It Works! Family teamed up in the form of a penny war to raise money for the Homeless Youth Graduation Party in June 2008.
We raised a total of $546 for the program, which has never been given to the Homeless Youth Program in the form of cash. The program manager was ecstatic because they really wanted to buy special gifts for the youth this year. These youth have overcome adversity many of us cannot fathom and have earned their high school diploma or GED. We are working to make sure that they know how proud we are of them!
Grace Hunger Walk
In May 2008, It Works teamed up with other business partners in the community to raise money for the shelters and food banks in West Michigan as well as in Central American and African countries.
We participated in the Grace Hunger Walk, which has helped people in need for the past 31 years. At the event we had 11 staff members and distributors raise money to walk the 5K in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We also set up a health and wellness booth to raise awareness of the importance of being fit. It Works was also one of the largest corporate donors this year. (Altogether we raised $1,467! ) Here at It Works we care about others, and we are striving to help in every way that we can. We challenge you to help where you can as well!