Change-Ups: Donated semitrailer filled with 900 pounds of ham

Change-Ups: Donated semitrailer filled with 900 pounds of ham

The Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Agent Charitable Fund donated a refrigerated semitrailer to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. The trailer was delivered to the Battle Creek-based South Michigan Food Bank. Michigan Pork Producers and Clemens Food Group partnered with ACF by donating 900 pounds of ham to fill the trailer. South Michigan Food Bank was launched in 1982 to provide hunger relief and nutrition education. The hunger-relief network of more than 285 partner agencies operates in eight counties in Michigan, including Barry, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph.

ARCHITECTURE & ENGINEERING

Eduardo Barcenas joined Driesenga & Associates Inc. as a CAD Designer 1 in the firm’s civil engineering department in its Holland location.

ARTS

The Grand Rapids Public Museum recently published a series of digital lesson plans in partnership with Groundswell, an environmental education program housed in the College of Education at Grand Valley State University. The lesson plans were developed for students in grades five through 12, adhering to Michigan curriculum standards and focusing on creating meaningful watershed experiences and are available to educators nationwide on PBS Learning Media at: bit.ly/groundswellGVSU

The Holland-based Tulip Time Festival announced new board members for 2020: Rosemary Ervine, educational consultant; Leesa Schram, community member; and Jodi Owczarski, Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce. Matt Holmes joined Tulip Time’s 2019 -20 executive committee.

AWARDS

Allegan-based Perrigo Co. plc announced its Quitting is Better nicotine replacement therapy campaign won a national award for the Best OTC Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign by a panel of volunteer judges comprised of industry representatives who are members of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.

The Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan announced the recipients of its 2019 Torch Award for Ethics: Sharp Construction, Exalta Health, and West Michigan Urban League.

BANKING

Kent City-based ChoiceOne Investment Center announced financial adviser Justin Mohr earned his CFP Certification.

EDUCATION

Kalamazoo Valley’s Sustainable Brewing Program obtained the licensing to sell beer crafted by its students.

The Grand Valley State University College of Education received national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for successfully meeting all CAEP standards: content and pedagogical knowledge; clinical partnerships and practice; candidate quality, recruitment and selectivity; program impact; and provider quality, continuous improvement and capacity. 

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Walker-based DeHop’s Brewing Co. & Café recently was awarded several international titles for their lagers. Its German Black Lager was judged the Best Dark Lager in the United States from the 2019 World Beer Awards lager and won a silver medal in the 2019 World Beer Championship along with other DeHop’s brewery favorites, Brahm’s Best Vienna Style Lager and Maibock. Its Schwarzbier German Black Lager was awarded the silver medal at this year’s U.S. Beer Open Championship; Schwarzbier also was awarded the silver medal at the 23rd annual Great International Beer, Cider, Mead & Sake Competition, and DeHop’s Rauchbier Smoked Lager was awarded gold. The brewery was inducted into the Brotherhood for the International Embracement of the Reinheitsgebot, based out of Munich, Germany, for creating lagers that support the German Purity Law.

GOVERNMENT

The city of Grand Rapids Office of Communications launched an online hub, grnewshub.grandrapidsmi.gov, that serves as a one-stop place for residents and other community stakeholders to get city news and other important information.

GRANTS

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids received a two-year, $50,000 Grief Reach grant from the New York Life Foundation. The grant will allow GCGR to extend its in-school emotional health care program to additional classrooms and schools in West Michigan.

HEALTH

Dr. Valencia Agnew opened an additional Adolescent & Family Behavioral Health Services location at 493 Century Lane, Holland.

Jeff Regan joined The Center for Physical Rehabilitation as a physical therapist; Ben Eggleston was hired as a physical therapy assistant. Both treat patients as its Cascade clinic.

The Derm Institute of West Michigan’s new location is 6750 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Suite D, Grand Rapids, 49508. For more information, go to derminstituteofwmi.com.

INSURANCE

Jamie Van Nest joined Olivier VanDyk Insurance Agency as director of human resources.

LEGAL

Robert A. Hendricks, senior counsel with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, was re-elected to the council of the Marijuana Law Section of the Michigan State Bar.

Warner Norcross + Judd LLP partner Brian P. Lennon was elected president of the West Michigan Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

LEISURE & RECREATION

Wayland-based Gun Lake Casino’s annual Lakeshore Toys for Tots campaign continues through Dec. 15. In 2018, over $11,000 in new toys were raised for children in Allegan County. Guests with new unwrapped gifts, accompanied by a receipt, may receive up to $50 in free slot play for their donation this year. For more information, visit the Rewards Center located within the casino.

MANUFACTURING

Riverside-based Lindberg/MPH announced the shipment of a Gas Fired Aluminum Stack Melting and Holding Furnace to the secondary smelting industry. This stack-type central melting furnace will be utilized to produce aluminum ingot and sows. The furnace has a melt rate of 4,500 pounds per hour.

MILITARY

Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Jon Tellier, founder and president of JetCo Solutions, recently was elected adviser for the West Point Association of Graduates, the alumni association for the United States Military.

NONPROFITS

Perrigo donated a former plant to Safe Harbor in Allegan — a nonprofit that works with neglected and abused children — which provides 6,000 square feet of space for counseling rooms, forensic interviews and a medical suite.

Varnum LLP attorney Barbara Moore joined Westside Collaborative’s board of directors and serves on the committee for Finances and Sustainability.

Wedgwood Christian Services is requesting people give joy to kids over the holidays by: putting together a gift basket for one of Wedgwood’s Residential Home, purchasing a $25 gift from a child’s wish list or donating to Wedgwood Christmas/Birthday Fund. For more information, contact Marah at mbowser@wedgwood.org or (616) 831-5620.

Wedgwood Christian Services achieved national accreditation through the New York-based Council on Accreditation to demonstrate the implementation of best practice standards in the field of human services. COA evaluated all aspects of Wedgwood’s programs, services, management and administration.

SUSTAINABILITY

Pontiac, Illinois-based Advanced Technology Recycling, which has a facility in Grand Rapids that is part of the Amplify GR program, announced it has successfully certified its eighth noncampus location in the U.S., which ties for first place in the number of R2 Certified Electronic Recycling and ITAD management facilities.

TECHNOLOGY

CapinCrouse announced a new brand for its information security division. Traina & Associates is now CapinTech. Traina & Associates joined CapinCrouse in January 2017, allowing the firm to provide nonprofit clients with a broader range of information security consulting and risk management services.

ITPartners+ announced it achieved exclusive Blue Partner Status with Datto, the world’s leading provider of IT solutions delivered through managed service providers. Datto Blue Status represents the top 5% of the company’s partners worldwide.

Muskegon-based EarthTronics introduced its new PAR30 and PAR38 EarthBulb LED floodlights to replace incandescent floodlights for more than 85% energy savings. The LED PAR lamps are for interior and exterior architectural, office, retail, house of worship and residential applications where high lumen output is required.

WEBSITES

Drive Michigan Forward created a website to advocate for its Drivers Licenses for All campaign. For more information, go to drivemichiganforward.com.