The Community Involvement Committee would like to thank all our volunteers that took a Saturday morning on May 3rd to donate their time and efforts to help get Camp Blodgett open for the season. Volunteers spent time painting, doing yard work, and putting together kitchen cabinets. Camp Blodgett allows children that otherwise would not have the means to attend summer camp, the opportunity to have the experience at a very reduced rate. The remaining expenses are made up by community contributions. They rely on those contributions and volunteers to keep the camp going. Thanks again to our GRYP volunteers!

Thanks to all the GRYP members that came out to support Rock The Block on April 25th. This was an event honoring Habitat for Humanity of Kent County and their 25th Anniversary. Proceeds went to help Habitat continue their efforts in our community. For more information on Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, go to www.habitatkent.org.

Thanks for your support, donations and attendance at the GRYP Clothing Drive & Fashion Show. The energetic fashion show featured GRYP’s own members modeling the latest trends in fashion from Jade Boutique and Blue Avenue. Discover more great looks and accessories when you visit their home locations.

Our sincere gratitude to Emily from Fox 17, Jill Wallace from Goodwill’s Workforce Development Program and Montes for once again setting the stage for a great event. Thanks to our membership for your generosity and donations to this very worthwhile cause.

The next event will be the Relay for Life Wine Tasting/Fundraiser. Join us on Thursday, May 29th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Details to follow…Hope to see you there!

In need of a little comic relief? Join other GRYP’s for a night of laughs. Attend the GRYP Night of Comedy on Friday, April 11th at Dr. Grin’s in the B.O.B. Socializing will take place in the Monkey Bar located on the lower level of the B.O.B. from 6:30pm-8pm. Drink specials ($2 domestic, $2 Bob’s brews, $2 wells, and $3 house wines) will be offered. The comedy show, featuring comedian Jimmy Shubert, will follow starting at 8pm. Tickets for the comedy show can be purchased in advance through the B.O.B. or E-tix.com.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Lunch Roundtable on March 6th. At this event, Janet Korn, Vice President of Marketing for the Grand Rapids & Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau, spoke on what it takes to bring events to Grand Rapids and how Grand Rapids competes with hundreds of other cities for this business. She also touted Michigan's West Coast, the Frederick Meijer Gardens, Childrens Museum, Gerald R. Ford Museum, and many other points of interest as attractions that help make Grand Rapids a destination for many of these events. Janet asked GRYP members to keep Grand Rapids in mind as a future venue for national conferences and events for organizations in which they participate.

A great time was had by all who attended the March 27th Business Promotion Event and Unwind at McFadden's on March 27th. As usual McFadden's was a wonderful host to the GRYP - providing drink special, complimentary appetizers and giving away a $25 gift card. Thank you McFadden's!

Nineteen local businesses were on sight promoting their products and services. Businesses in attendance were: K Force Staffing, Hillmount, Office Staffing Division, Venture Imports LLC, Economic Development Foundation, Celadon, Crown Jewel Spa, Plaza Towers, The Loft's Apartments, Clothing Matters, Partners in Technology, Saint Andrew's School, Center for Community Leadership, Aspen Surgical, Smith Barney, Complete Source and The Yoga Studio.

Thank you to all of the businesses in attendance - it was a great event and the evening was enjoyed by all! Please join us on April 24 at Montes for our annual fashion show, Goodwill clothing drive and unwind. See you there!