The holiday season is about celebrating with family and friends and looking forward to a new year full of possibilities. It is also a wonderful time to give back to our community.

Many families need basic supplies during the winter. I was proud to recently work with J&B Medical Supply to help our outstanding community organizations meet the needs of struggling Southwest Michigan families.

We donated 7,900 diapers to the Great Start Collaborative of Berrien County, which will distribute them to local families through shelters, home visiting programs and community organizations.

Residents wishing to donate may contact Amanda Williamson at 269-471-7725 ext. 1270 or by email at: amanda.williamson@uwsm.org. More information about the organization is available on their website at www.greatstartberrien.org.

Another way to give back is to contribute to a local food bank. The Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank in Benton Harbor is a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing donated food to people in need. In 2013, they distributed 2.63 million pounds of food through their partner agencies in Berrien, Van Buren and Cass counties.

Residents who would like to support this effort may mail checks to P.O. Box 825, Benton Harbor, MI 49023, or donate online at www.FeedingAmericaWestMichigan.org/donate. By giving just $21, you can send a week’s worth of meals to a family of four.

Finally, giving back can take many forms.

Volunteer Southwest Michigan has served the counties of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren since 1977 by connecting people with opportunities to serve, promoting volunteerism, building capacity for effective volunteerism and participating in strategic initiatives that mobilize volunteers to meet local needs.

To learn more about the organization or to find a volunteer opportunity that is right for you, visit www.volunteerswmi.org or call (269) 983-0912.

This holiday season, I encourage area residents to consider giving back and helping make Southwest Michigan a stronger community.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien and Cass counties and most of Van Buren County.