Mich. farmers donate to local hospital

Dec 12, 2018

Producers made 100 backpacks filled with goodies

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Michigan’s ag community has stepped up to help put smiles on children’s faces.

In recognition of the Michigan Farm Bureau’s upcoming 100^th anniversary, farmers donated 100 backpacks to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Nov. 29.

Each backpack consisted of an ag coloring book with crayons, hand-stuffed teddy bear complete with a birth certificate, and a t-shirt for the recipients to decorate.

Farm Bureau members stuffed the teddy bears and backpacks during the organization’s 99^th annual meeting from Nov. 27 to 29.

“Each year, we look for ways Farm Bureau members can give back to the community during our conference,” Cathy McCune, MFB state promotion and education chairperson and organizer of the bear donations, said in a Nov. 29 release. “As farmers from across the state, we care about our communities and each family member — young and old — it’s important to our organization.”

Some Michigan farm families have a personal connection to the children’s hospital.

Gy and Tressa Hollinger, who also assisted with the backpack drive, spent time at the hospital in 2016 as their 11-year-old daughter received a kidney transplant.

They know firsthand the importance of having a supportive community.

“I joined Farm Bureau for the benefits to our farm and my career in agriculture but throughout Lyndi’s journey, we have received so much support from our Farm Bureau friends,” Gy Hollinger, said in the release. “When we were searching for a kidney donor for Lyndi, Farm Bureau created a video and shared our story. The care packages we dropped off today will mean a lot to families waiting at the hospital.”

Michigan Farm Bureau photo

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