| 7/26/2010 8:44:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Organization reaches out to help local veterans
Valerie Clarke
Marketing consultant, Chuck Steigenga, of Rockford, has always had a heart for helping out veterans. But when he drove into the parking lot of a local client recently, he discovered a whole new avenue of giving aid to veterans in need.
His client, Brad Scott, of Scott's Design Center, had a new sign out in front which read "MVF Thrift." The acronym stands for Michigan Vets Foundation (MVF). The transition from floor covering store to thrift shop happened on March 8, of this year, when the larger MVF in Detroit paid a visit to perform the grand opening flag ceremony for them.
Now filled with racks of clothing, books, furniture, media, collectibles and antiques, all proceeds ran through the cash register are used to help homeless vets in West Michigan.
Scott has been working with the MVF in Detroit for the past year and was pleased when the organization decided to go into partnership with him.
"We have one store in Cedar Springs and another one in Detroit," Scott said. "We're also getting ready to open another one in Charlevoix soon."
The newly formed charity has its own board and the couple running most of the store operations are Vietnam War veteran Jim Ward and his wife Linda, from Sand Lake.
"We were thrilled to do something to help veterans," said Linda Ward. "We're looking forward to building an actual shelter for homeless vets. When an unemployed vet comes in the doors, we take care of them and their families."
According to Steigenga, who is now volunteering his marketing skills to the new thrift store, an 18-month shelter for homeless vets is in the plans. The shelter would be the only one like it on this side of the state.
Building their local clientele is part of the MVF Thrift plan in reaching out to area vets. They not only seek to reach veterans, but also local shoppers who provide the financial base for providing help and donations of used items to sell.
The organization has met successfully with the American Legion executive board in Cedar Springs and has recently begun working with American Legion Merritt Lamb Post #102, in Rockford. Commander Clyde Sinclair, of Rockford, gave the following statement: "The members of the Rockford American Legion Post sincerely appreciate the work of the Michigan Veterans Foundation and look forward to assisting them in any way we can."
The thrift store is located at 4780 Cornfield Drive, off Northland Drive, just north of M-57. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information call 696-1800, or visit the Web site www.michigan veteransfoundation.org.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
 |
|
