We may not have the annual holiday parade or the Holly Jolly Trolley this year, but Kalamazoo has a parade of ugly sweaters! If you follow this blog or have walked around downtown enjoying the Christmas lights, you probably already know about the 2020 Ugly Sweater Contest and Exhibit.
“Given these challenging times, we had to reimagine this event,” says Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS) Executive Director James Devers, in referencing the ugly sweater party that CIS has hosted for the past five years. The event brings awareness to the CIS “whole child” approach of supporting students, which includes providing essentials that—when missing—can get in the way of learning. “We had to figure out a new way to raise both awareness and funds for the work we do throughout 20 Kalamazoo Public Schools.”
Reimagine, indeed. Toss in loads of creativity, a handful of mannequins, and a host of elves, er, sponsors, and you have one friendly, yet ugly competition and exhibit to help support the 12,000 students CIS works with throughout the year.
Kalsec is the presenting sponsor helping to transform this Ugly Sweater event into a new and beautiful thing. Kalsec CEO Scott Nykaza says, “There is, quite simply, no better way to support the success of students in Kalamazoo than through supporting efforts performed by everyone at CIS.”
Some of the ugly sweaters on display at the Exchange Building.
Thanks to in-kind sponsors PlazaCorp (providing the storefront window) and Memories Bridal & Evening Wear (providing the mannequins), the community can visit these unique sweaters in person now through December 18th. The window display is located downtown at the Exchange Building, on the southeast corner of W. Michigan and S. Rose, across from Bronson Park. These ugly creations are also being featured on the CIS Facebook page during “12 Days of Sweaters.”
The sweaters are also on virtual display, here on the CIS website through the end of December. You can visit the sweaters virtually or in person and then cast your vote for the ugliest sweater. Each dollar donated in support of a sweater is considered a vote. The first $2,500 raised will be kindly matched by Kalsec. Voting concludes on the last day in December and, at that time, the sweater with the most in donations/votes will be crowned the winner.
“The sweaters may be ‘ugly,’ but the cause is beautiful,” says Devers. “Every vote, which translates into every dollar given, supports students in our community, empowering them to stay in school and succeed in life. It doesn’t get more beautiful than that.”
[You can catch this recently aired video of Devers speaking about the event with Fox 17 here.)
Today is #GivingTuesday: a “global day of giving” fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.
Last year, CIS of Kalamazoo launched an initiative to do the “giving” on #GivingTuesday, surprising an individual who has gone above and beyond for students in each school building with a card and gift from the CIS site coordinator. The huge smiles and joy we witnessed last year ensured that it would become an annual activity.
We’re thrilled to continue this initiative in 2020. Though it may look different, our purpose remains the same: to honor and recognize someone at each school who is going above and beyond. Each CIS site coordinator has selected a KPS staff member who has demonstrated a commitment to working with CIS to help students succeed and/or make sure students’ needs are met. A personal note and e-gift card will be sent to each recipient. Check out the descriptions below to learn about the inspiring work being done by school staff.
This year has been especially challenging for schools and school staff, and we also want to take a moment to say thank you to EVERY individual who has worked so hard for students. From all of us at Communities In Schools, thank you. We are proud to partner with you.
Arcadia Elementary – Donia Ali has been a true partner for CIS when it comes to connecting to Arcadia’s Arabic speaking families. She has the best interest of Arcadia students and families in her heart with all that she does. Thank you, Donia, for all you do for Arcadia students and families!
Edison Environmental Science Academy – Head Secretary, Tonya Orbeck, is the most helpful head secretary we could possibly imagine. She always has a million things to do, and yet always finds the time to help in whatever way she can. She is truly the embodiment of teamwork and selflessness.
El Sol Elementary – Secretary, Graciela Arevalo, is a bridge between El Sol staff and families. She is a vital resource to distributing information to families and maintaining a connection between El Sol families and CIS.
Hillside Middle School – Melinda Long, Counseling Office Secretary, is a constant support to CIS at Hillside. She is always very positive and cheerful. Ms. Long works tirelessly as the secretary for the counseling office; she is patient and compassionate when working with students and her professionalism and demeanor makes her a wonderful role model for the young people she supports every day.
Kalamazoo Central High School – Bilingual Home School Liaison, Rebeca Arevalo-Visuet, has been a precious resource. She helps communicate with families where English is a second language. She consistently responds to requests for assistance. Rebeca makes our jobs and the jobs of many other KPS staff much easier. The service she provides is priceless. We are especially grateful!
King-Westwood Elementary – There is no task too big or too small for Jennifer Diget, King-Westwood secretary. Whether it is getting information about a family, accepting a delivery, getting instructions on how to do absolutely anything—or who to contact for absolutely anything—Ms. Diget is the one to call. Not only is she willing to help with anything, she always does it with a smile. She is priceless!
Lincoln Elementary – TaKarra Dunning goes above and beyond to serve the students and families of Lincoln Elementary. As the school’s Behavioral Specialist, she not only helps to support families with clothes, food, and visiting homes, she also supports staff by thinking outside the box to get the job done!
Linden Grove Middle School – Kelly Reimink at Linden Grove has been the missing link necessary in connecting us to students and families. While we’re working remotely, she has been the LG staff member keeping us in the loop about resources available to continue our connections with students and families. Her extensive knowledge and diligence allow us to continue the good work that we do.
Loy Norrix High School – GSA advisor and Library Media Specialist, John Krieder, is always there for students in any capacity. He is always in good spirits and welcomes everyone with a smile.
Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts – Our secretaries, Dillon Boyd and Nicole Degraaf, have been allies for CIS from the day they both entered Maple Street. Their willingness to connect families to CIS whenever possible helps to seamlessly provide much needed services to students. We really appreciate them for being kind-hearted and available when we have questions or if we need anything. We are grateful for all that they do. Thank you!
Milwood Elementary – Leroy Green, Behavioral Aid at Milwood Elementary, is awesome! He is the rock of our school. He is respected and loved by all; the school would not be the same without him!
Milwood Magnet Middle School – KPS IT Specialist, Jacob Cieslak has been a necessary lifesaver when helping CIS implement our groups, CIS After School, GSA newsletter, and more! His patience and willingness to be available whenever we need him has helped us to reach students. He is dedicated to CIS and our students.
Northeastern Elementary – Judy Morin, the Behavioral Specialist, has constantly supported CIS and our students since we’ve started working together. She frequently refers families that are in need to our office. Ms. Morin is extremely devoted to our students and is passionate about what CIS can do to help. She is always promoting us, our services, and utilizing them for students in whatever way possible.
Northglade Elementary – Principal Re’Qwal Duckworth has worked hand in hand with CIS through the pandemic. Through meeting with site coordinators to help meet students’ needs, delivering supplies to students, making home visits, and leading the site and students in the midst of a global pandemic, Mrs. Duckworth shows a commitment to working with CIS and helping students succeed.
Parkwood Upjohn Elementary – Paraprofessional, Jane Metzler, has spent many years working within our school district. Ms. Metzler has readily made herself available to assist in meeting the needs of our students. When we moved to remote learning in the spring, Jane could regularly be counted on to deliver food and school supplies to students without hesitation. Special Education teacher, Ms. Forbes, says that Jane is “amazingly compassionate and caring. She goes above and beyond to make sure the students have not only academic resources, but also words of encouragement. She is a true gem.”
Prairie Ridge Elementary – Home Support Specialists, Terry Hess and Amy Triemstra, have gone above and beyond to coordinate with CIS staff to make sure our work has the greatest positive impact for our kids, families, and staff. They are the glue that holds the school together. The Prairie Ridge CIS team is so grateful to them both.
Spring Valley Elementary – School Psychologist, Michelle Youngs, goes above and beyond to make sure that our students’ needs are met and is always there to support staff with encouragement. She truly does understand the CIS vision and what an important role we are in the students’ success and well-being.
Washington Writers’ Academy – Ms. Joy Vandepol and Mrs. Yolanda Kirk do everything possible to help the school run smooth. They are a great team and always going above and beyond to help and support me (CIS site coordinator, Fredrick Daniel) as I am new in this position. When frustrations and uncertainties kick in, they help to calm things down. I love them to death.
Woods Lake Elementary – Teacher, Alex Miller, is always advocating for her students. She is always going above and beyond to make sure her students are logging on with her every day. If students are not logging online, she is trying to figure out why and identifying anything they may need in order to be successful!
Woodward School for Technology and Research – Kindergarten Teacher, Asha Epp, regularly goes above and beyond to make sure her kindergarten students feel at home with her and in her classroom. During COVID times, this has been no different. Asha makes deliveries, ensures ALL students are feeling connected to each other and to the class, and works tirelessly to build that loving and accountable classroom culture that is essential to learning, especially during these hard times. Asha is an essential part of the Woodward Wolf Pack, and we are grateful to be able to honor her and say “Thank You” for being so strong for your students and the school community!
At the 13th Annual Champs Celebration, presented by Kalsec, Mikka Dryer was honored with a 2020 Champ Award which was sponsored by Fifth Third Bank. Milwood Magnet Middle School’s CIS Site Coordinator Missy Best introduced us to this CIS volunteer who is a champion for children. [If you didn’t get a chance to learn about the great work Mikka is doing with students in Dr. Brandy Shooks’ ESL classroom, click here to watch the Champs Celebration. This video will remain accessible throughout November. Mikka’s award is at the 14:33 minute marker.]
Mikka Dryer, 2020 Champ Award recipient
Born and raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, Mikka lives in Portage with her husband Cory. She says she’s “grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer with CIS as my job as Supervisor of Community Health, Equity and Inclusion at Bronson provides me the flexibility to do so.
We sat down with Mikka at Milwood Magnet Middle School, shortly before the pandemic hit and schools were closed.
You’ve been volunteering out at Milwood Magnet Middle School for the past four years, with the last three of those years supporting a small group of young ladies who are part of KPS teacher Brandy Shook’s ESL [English as a Second Language] class. How did you come to volunteer through CIS?
When my daughter was in middle school and upper hours, I had an hourly job and couldn’t take off time from work to volunteer in her classroom or at her school. With my job now, as a salaried employee, I have that flexibility and wanted to start volunteering through CIS. For me, it’s a way to give back to kids whose parents are in the same position I was in…I know there are parents just like me, that want to volunteer in their child’s school but just can’t give back because of their job.
I want to give back and am grateful I have the opportunity to do this now, even though I couldn’t do it with my own daughter.
What insights have you gained from volunteering?
There is a difference between raising my own child and coming into a volunteer experience where you are interacting with kids you don’t know. So I’m learning about them and asking them questions. It’s not intuitive to me because I don’t know their lives and what they are going through and dealing with. I’ve gained understanding and tolerance. Also, as I’m walking through the halls and the bell rings, it brings me back to my own middle school days. Some things haven’t changed.
What are you currently reading?
I just finished a book called On the Come Upby Angie Thomas. It’s a young adult book and the follow up to her book, The Hate You Give. I’ve really enjoyed both of the books. I wanted to read her latest book because last year, we all read The Hate You Give as an all-school read. We really bonded over they book. [We ran this post about last year’s Reading Together book and how students had lots of love for The Hate You Give.]
What is your favorite word right now?
Through an equity lens.
I say this and think about this often in the work I’m in. I’m always considering what I’m doing through an equity lens. Am I considering all people, all voices, historical events, oppression, people who have had experienced life in different ways than me? Am I taking into account the whole situation? Whether I’m at work, volunteering, or how I’m spending my money, am I approaching what I’m doing through an equity lens?
Taking into account the whole situation and various perspectives is a much fuller way to experience life.
Yes, you feel fuller because you are considering others and their perspectives, not just one’s one. I can relate to people better because of it.
What question have you asked recently?
Can you tell me more about that? Why do you feel that way?
I’m trying to ask more questions at home. At work and out in the community I’m accepting, tolerant, and open, but at home, well, it’s a space I need to work on. I want to be more tolerant and understanding of my family members and asking them questions helps me do that. And they are less likely to shut down. Instead of responding with “Get over it,” “That’s not important,” or “Move on,” I’m trying to ask more questions and really listen to what they have to say.
Where is one place in Kalamazoo you love hanging out?
I love walking my two dogs. I love Portage trails, being out in the sun and walking outside trails, biking paths, and enjoying the sunshine.
Behind every successful person is a caring adult. Who has been one of your caring adults?
As a young person growing up, I’d definitely say my parents, James and Tako Keller. They had five kids and I was the middle child. They loved and supported me, and still do. I had a good childhood even though I probably wasn’t the easiest adolescent to parent, and yet they still supported me. They have always had my back.
Anything else should we know about you?
My daughter Nayah wants to open her own bakery one day and I’m happily obligated to be her taste tester. She recently moved out on her own, and one thing I’ll miss is having tasty treats at least three times a week!
Thank you, Mikka, for hanging out with us at Ask Me About My 12,000 Kids.
Bring out the snacks and get ready to throw some confetti at your computer screen! Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS) hosts its annual Champs event tonight, Tuesday, October 27th at 6 p.m. and you can be a part of it! Just go here, to https://ciskalamazoo.org/champs. This year will look a bit different as CIS has elected to host a virtual celebration. For those who can’t watch tonight, the celebration video will remain on the CIS website through November.
Kalsec is the presenting sponsor for this event which honors community partners who share in the CIS vision— an engaged community where every child fulfills his or her promise— by actively putting forth time, energy, talent and resources to drive this vision to reality. “When I think about CIS, I think about an organization supporting education in every possible way,” says Dr. Scott Nykaza, CEO of Kalsec, Inc. “I think about equity and how CIS levels the playing field so that all students are set up to succeed, and I think about the kindness of our community.”
That kindness will be on full display during this thirteenth year of celebrating those who are making a difference in students’ lives. This year’s Champs who support our Kalamazoo Public Schools students are:
Mikka Dryer, CIS volunteer
Science Club facilitated by Zoetis, CIS volunteers
Family Health Center, a nonprofit, CIS health partner
Western Michigan University National Society of Black Engineers, CIS higher learning partner
Howard Tejchma will be honored with the Gulnar Husain Volunteer Award, a recognition established by Gulnar’s family to honor her long-time contributions to Communities In Schools and work as a CIS Site Coordinator at Arcadia Elementary School. This award recognizes CIS volunteers who emulate Gulnar’s belief that there is no greater calling than serving children. For the past decade, Howard Tejchma has been working with a small group of Arcadia students during lunchtime. His fifth grade “lunch bunch” looks forward to his weekly visits in which he facilitates games and weaves in life lessons.
The CIS Board will also be honoring Dr. Sandy Standish with the Diether Haenicke Promise of Excellence Award. This award is named for Western Michigan University President Emeritus Diether Haenicke. For 32 years, Dr. Standish shined her light as an innovative educator in Comstock Public Schools. Following her “retirement” from public education, she took on the role as the founding director of Kalamazoo County Ready 4s. She spent the next decade collaborating with community partners to build a system of high-quality pre-kindergarten programs accessible to all 4-year-olds in Kalamazoo County.
Keep following us at Ask Me About My 12,000 Kids. In the weeks to come we we will bring you more about these fabulous receipients.
While school is shaping up to look a lot differently this school year, one thing that hasn’t changed is that students still need basic school supplies to start their year off strong. This year, to make it safer and easier for the community to provide students which much needed school supplies, CIS has launched a virtual collection drive.
“Given these unprecedented times, we felt it paramount to review our current guidelines for donation collections and distribution to the 20 CIS supported Kalamazoo Public Schools,” says Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo James Devers. “Our top priority is the health and safety of the children and families we serve, our generous supporters, KPS staff and CIS staff.”
Now through August 28th, supporters can participate in the virtual collection drive by shopping on-line for items like notebooks, pencils, scissors and more. Donations can be made by visiting the donation page here. These purchased supplies will be delivered directly to the CIS Kids’ Closet for distribution.
While CIS highly recommends the virtual collection as the way to support students’ back to school needs, if individuals or organizations wish to support in alternative ways, they can reach out to us by going to the “Contact” page on our website, found here.
Thank you for being part of our community of support and tuning into our message from Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo Executive Director, James Devers.
Today, April 15th, we intended to come together to celebrate the 13th year of honoring those in our community of support that are champions for kids. We have a wonderful group of community members being honored this year.
Although we can’t celebrate with you today, please know we are grateful for each of you.
We look forward to celebrating together on October 6th.
Thank you to our sponsors of this year’s Champs Celebration for your kindness and understanding.
There was a whole lot of ugly going on in the backroom of Bell’s this past Thursday. Gaudy. Over the top. Tacky. Blinky. Jingly. These are just a few of the words that described the sweaters party guests donned on Thursday, December 5th. All the ugly was for a good cause: supporting CIS Kids’ Closet which provides basic need items of clothing, school supplies, and personal care products to help ensure all kids can attend school every day with confidence and dignity, ready to learn.
Guests poured into Bell’s, bringing with them new items from the “wish list” or $15. All these donations will directly support the CIS Kids’ Closet which distributes these items to 20 CIS supported KPS schools. Students and school staff can then connect with the CIS Site Team at their school to request needed items. This year, we welcomed over 140 guests who donated over $3,000 and 65 new items!
As the band, Rock Rx, played, guests chatted and munched on appetizers. Throughout the evening, guests cast their votes for the ugliest sweater.
Here are the top three winners:
(Left to right: Dave Morgan, CEO of YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo, Lynne Melvin, Senior Administrative Assistant at Chase, and Dr. John Oliver, CIS Director of Quality and Evaluation.)
A hearty thanks to Janet and Scott Nykaza, the Kalamazoo Rotaract for another successful year of Kalamazoo Bundle Up, to all the businesses that served as Bundle Up locations, and party guests that showed up Thursday—all to benefit our kids.
Keep following us at Ask Me About My 12,000 Kids. We’ll soon be featuring CIS Board Member and Vice President, Financial Center Manager III of Fifth Third Bank Sara Williams. Seven Fifth Third Bank sites served as Bundle Up locations, making it convenient for the community to drop off a needed item or two.
Kalamazoo Rotaract members Evan Anderson and Liz VandenHeede
You’ll learn a bundle today as this post is packed with fun information on Bundle Up, a project of Kalamazoo Rotaract Club. You’ll also meet two of the club members working behind the scenes as members of this community service and social club composed of young professionals & students in the Kalamazoo area.
On the heels of Rotaract’s annual wrapping party, Ask Me About My 12,000 Kids caught up with club members Evan Anderson and Liz VandenHeede at Walnut & Park Cafe. Serving as President of Kalamazoo Rotaract Club, Evan Anderson grew up in Kalamazoo and went to the University of Michigan. He returned to his home town four years ago and is a mechanical engineer at Parker Hannifin. Member and former President of Kalamazoo Rotaract Club Liz VandenHeede hails from Niles, Michigan. She graduated from WMU in public relations and works in communications and marketing with Miller-Davis.
The week before, Evan and Liz had gathered with a dozen other Rotaract Club members at Wax Wings Brewing to decorate the donation boxes used for their annual Bundle Up winter clothing drive. One of those festive boxes was nestled just inside the front door of the café where we chatted over hot chocolate and a chai tea latte.
Tell us about Bundle Up. What is the history behind this project? How long has this partnership between the Kalamazoo Rotaract Club and Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo been going on?
Liz: And our club is always looking for ways we can participate in different community service projects. We do a lot of one-time events, such as park cleanups, and we also really wanted to do a signature project, something that we could have all hands on deck, and make a bigger impact in the community. We tossed around lots of ideas and arrived at winter weather gear drive.
We started doing Bundle Up with CIS in 2015. So we’re on our fifth year with this project. And it keeps evolving. Those first few years we were collecting for both adults and kids. As our partnership with CIS was strong, we really felt the need to focus in exclusively with CIS and put our energies towards the kids.
Evan: Bundle Up is a clothing drive for new and like-new winter wear and personal items that help stock CIS Kids’ Closet. We kick it off in October with our wrapping party and it runs throughout November. By the first of November we’ve placed boxes throughout the community at Kalamazoo business locations where people have volunteered to host a box. We list the needed items on the side of the box—and people can drop off the donated items at any of the Bundle Up locations. [Locations listed at end of this post.]
From the start, the community has been really supportive, dropping off these much needed items that our club members will eventually gather up to stock the CIS Kids’ Closet.
The project culminates in the Ugly Sweater Party. This year’s event—open to all—will be held on Thursday, December 5th from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Bell’s. People are asked to bring an item or make a donation of $15.
Liz: The first couple years Rotaract was doing the Bundle up project and CIS was also doing its Ugly Sweater Party. We talked with each other and said, hey, let’s weave these together and make it one project, with the Ugly Sweater Party culminating in the final celebration of our Bundle Up project.
Evan: It’s been a wonderful partnership. Each year, we adjust our list based on our conversation with CIS as to what items kids need most. For instance, this year, cloth headbands have been added to the list.
Liz: It’s been a terrific partnership all around. The Rotary Club of Kalamazoo is our sponsoring club and we have a great partnership with them as well. They have been such supporters of both us and our Bundle Up Project.
How many items do you generally collect during the drive?
Evan: Our fourth annual Bundle Up Kalamazoo drive in 2018 provided kids with nearly 2,000 items of winter wear, such as coats, boots, hats, snow pants, and gloves.
Liz: In addition to last year’s donated items, we also raised nearly $600 to purchase additional needed items for our kids.
Definitely a success! How did the name Bundle Up come about? It’s such a great name.
Evan: It is a great name, isn’t it? Liz has been with the project from the start. She knows that history.
Liz: Yes, we came up with the name when we were meeting at Bell’s. We were brainstorming on what would be a good name for gathering up winter gear. We came up with Bundle Up. We want to keep Kalamazoo warm!
If some young professional wanted to become a member of the Kalamazoo Rotaract Club, what should they do?
Evan: If you are a student or young professional between 20 to 35 years of age, we encourage you to contact us. You can find out more on our website, our Facebook page, or just show up to one of our meetings. While we publicize meetings on both our website and Facebook page, we typically meet somewhere in the community two times a month, on the second Tuesday and fourth Wednesday of the month.
Okay, now we’d like to know a little more about each of you. What are you currently reading?
Evan:Atomic Awakening by James Mahaffey. It’s about nuclear power.
You’re reading that just for fun?
Evan: Yes.
Liz:Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. I usually boycott reading books about running. I spend so much time running I don’t need to spend time reading about it when I’m not running.
Evan: You should download the audiobook so you can listen to it while you run.
Liz: [Laughing.] I should!
What is your favorite word right now?
Liz: Bundle up!
Evan: CIS!
Behind every successful person is a caring adult. Who has been your caring adult?
Evan: I’d have to say my caring adults are my parents. Both have been very supportive throughout my life, education, and career. They have always been about giving back to others and value community involvement.
Liz: Maybe that’s how you ended up becoming involved in Rotaract.
Evan: You’re probably right.
Liz: Mine is my former teacher, Miss [Marilyn] Klimek. She was my journalism teacher at Niles High School. She took me under her wing and opened me up to opportunities I wouldn’t have known or done otherwise. “You should do this. You should try this.” She was always saying that and encouraged me to attend journalism camp and get involved in the school newspaper, where I ended up being editor-in-chief.
Anything else we should know?
Liz: We’re excited that Interact—the high school version of our service club—is in its first year at Loy Norrix High School. The students just had their own wrapping party to support the Bundle Up project. We provided them with boxes and paper and they decorated the boxes and even found their own locations! Deborah Harris is the person from the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo helping to support this initiative by local youth.
Thank you, Evan and Liz, for hanging out with us at Ask Me About My 12,000 Kids. And thanks to all Kalamazoo Rotaract Club members for bundling up our kids and keeping them warm this winter.
Are you a young person interested in serving the community, meeting new people, developing lasting friendships, and growing professionally? Consider becoming a member of Kalamazoo Rotaract Club today.
Interested in donating a much needed item (noted above) for kids this winter? Throughout November, drop off your donation at any of these locations:
Bundle Up Locations
Cityscape Event Center (125 S Kalamazoo Mall)
Crossfit Torrent (5033 West Main St., Kalamazoo 49009)
Discover Kalamazoo (240 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007)
Fifth Third Bank (Oshtemo, 6040 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49008)
Fifth Third Bank (Kalamazoo Downtown,136 East Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007)
Fifth Third Bank (Burdick and Crosstown, 101 East Crosstown Parkway, Kalamazoo, MI 49001)
Fifth Third Bank (Milwood, 4109 Portage Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49001)
Fifth Third Bank (Crossroads, 6488 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002)
Fifth Third Bank (Westwood, 4705 West Main St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006)
Fifth Third Bank (Gull Road 5653 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048)
Humphrey Products (5070 East N Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49048)
KPS Administration Office (1220 Howard St, Kalamazoo, MI 49008)
Old National Bank (5003 Century Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006)
Old National Bank (3201 Portage St., Kalamazoo 49001)
Pet Supplies Plus (5230 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002)
Read and Write Kalamazoo (802 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008)
Regus (251 N Rose St, Suite 200, Kalamazoo, MI 49007)
Sweetwater’s Donut Mill (2138 S Sprinkle Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49001)
Visiting Angels (120 South Main St, Plainwell, MI 49080)
Walnut & Park Cafe (322 W Walnut St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007)
And remember, you’re invited join Kalamazoo Rotaract and CIS on Thursday, December 5th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. to celebrate this year’s conclusion of Bundle Up Kalamazoo with drinks, food, and an Ugly Sweater Contest.
We may not have the annual holiday parade or the Holly Jolly Trolley this year, but Kalamazoo has a parade of ugly sweaters! If you follow this blog or have walked around downtown enjoying the Christmas lights, you probably already know about the 2020 Ugly Sweater Contest and Exhibit.
