Posted on October 09, 2009

Give Time, Get Candy: Local Volunteer Challenge on October 31

Grand Rapids, Michigan. October 12, 2009 – The Grand Rapids Community Foundation’s Youth Grant Committee (YGC) is hosting an “Upside Down Roof Sit” at The Adobe Restaurant, 617 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids, on October 31, 2009 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to raise awareness about opportunities for young people to volunteer. To reach their goal of 500 new volunteers, the YGC will reward those who pledge to volunteer with candy and other incentives.

The event also marks the launch of the website, www.ivolunteergr.org, which serves a portal for youth volunteers to connect with one another and find volunteer opportunities that match their interests. Through the site, new volunteers may join an online social networking group to track their hours and share their volunteer experiences with one another.

The Upside Down Roof Sit will feature representatives from organizations that are seeking volunteers. The first fifty new volunteers will receive a free event t-shirt, and chips and cider will be provided.

“We want to increase awareness of volunteer opportunities for teens in the Grand Rapids area,” explains Grace Feenstra, co-chair of the Youth Grant Committee. “Many young people are interested in volunteering, but don’t know how to go about it.” Feenstra and other YGC members began planning the event earlier this year, with the goal of getting 500 people to pledge volunteer hours. They initially wanted to hold the event on a roof to draw greater attention, but adults nixed the idea. The name still stuck, but with a twist. “It is Halloween, after all,” said YGC member Jenna Rood.

  • For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:
  • Cris Kooyer, advisor to the YGC at 616-454-1751 or ckooyer@grfoundation.org
  • Grace Feenstra, YGC Co-chair at 616-334-4591
  • Kierstdea Furey, YGC Volunteer Coordinator at 616-828-8200.

About the Youth Grant Committee:
The Youth Grant Committee provides funding for programs that address youth needs while teaching youth about leadership, philanthropy and responsibility. It is a permanently standing committee of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and over the past 15 years has awarded over $850,000 to programs that benefit youth.