Zeke Johnson – Everyday Hero

Zeke Johnson, a volunteer driver for the Senior Medical Transportation Program, was honored as an “Everyday Hero” at the 2023 United Way of the Lakeshore Heroes Celebration on May 4. He was among more than 40 volunteers at community organizations nominated for the award. Zeke, who attended the evening event with his wife Theresa, wore…

Donor-Advised and QCD Funds for Charitable Giving Making an Impact

A growing number of donations to AgeWell Services of West Michigan and other nonprofit organizations come directly from donors’ investment accounts. Changes in tax laws in recent years have given some donors considerable tax advantages using donor-advised funds and gifts made directly from some investment accounts. Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) In 2021, donors gave $45.7 billion…

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Heels for Meals & More was Outstanding!

To say the 8th Heels for Meals & More fundraising event was amazing would be an understatement. It was an absolute blast and definitely knocked our socks and shoes off! On Saturday, April 22, over 260 guests joined AgeWell Services of West Michigan to raise critical funds to support adults 60 and older in Muskegon,…

Unprecedented Need: Rising Costs, Increased Demand and Shrinking Funds Means Some Seniors Waiting for Services

This is the story of two seniors. These women, aged 78 and 86, live alone and have trouble fixing meals to keep their nutrition levels where they should be. Both women suffered from being underweight and malnourished. Both women called to request Meals on Wheels, and that is where the similarities end. For Doris Hagood,…

Making Wishes Come True

Many of us wish for things we would like to have or have happen. AgeWell Services’ Wish Lists are tangible items to help us support adults 60 and over. Generous donors have funded many wishes and made dreams come true. Since 2016, $38,017 has been donated to fund 24 wishes. From home delivered meals for…

Spring 2023 Letter from the Director

The predictions all look grim. Demand for services is increasing dramatically, and we are burning through our funding faster than expected. For a service nonprofit like us, that means we could be forced to turn away people who need food, who need transportation, who need US! Imagine having to tell you grandmother at the family…

Giving Tuesday Impact

Since 2012, the Tuesday after the Thanksgiving holiday, known as Giving Tuesday, has been a unique community engagement tool for many organizations, including nonprofits, schools, universities, local businesses, foundations and more, around the world. Giving Tuesday was established at the 92nd St Y and its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact in New York…

Establishment and Growth of the Aging Network Part 2 – Administration on Aging (AoA)

Founded in 1973, AgeWell Services of West Michigan’s mission invites adults 60 and older to redefine their age. We provide vital connections to keep one of our most vulnerable populations nourished, active, learning and living independently. In the first blog post of this four-part series, we learned about the Older Americans Act (OAA). OAA was…

Finding Non-Emergency Medical Transportation

Why is transportation a problem for older adults? Access to transportation gives people a sense of freedom. You can pick up and go on a whim. It is essential for maintaining independence and one’s health. If that freedom disappears, people can become isolated. Social isolation is an aging adult’s #1 enemy and without reliable transportation…

7th Heels for Meals & More: A Resounding Success!

After a two-year hiatus, the 7th Heels for Meals & More was an unparalleled success for people who attended and for the aging adults who will be served by the money raised. More than $68,410 was raised, including a $10,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor. “It was so amazing to see all the people…

Lessons I Learned From My Mom Brought Me to AgeWell

With Mother’s Day over the weekend, I naturally began to think about my mom and what I have learned from her over the years. My mom was a teacher who taught elementary school for over 30 years. She cared for every one of her students as if they were her own. I’m still amazed that…

Receiving the Keys to His Independence As He Helps Others with Theirs

February in West Michigan can be brutal. Cold temperatures, gloomy skies, and snow are typically in the forecast. February 25, 2022 was not a normal day, for many reasons. The sky was bright blue with barely a cloud to be seen. The temperature hinted at the coming spring. A group began to gather in one…

My Experience as an AgeWell Services Volunteer

I would like to take some time right now to tell you about my own experience with AgeWell Services of West Michigan. I started out as a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels in April of 2019. I absolutely loved delivering meals on my routes. There were so many grateful people each time I delivered….