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My Town Wyoming: Health and Wellness Day returns to Metro Health Village July 31

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger
Wednesday, July 30th, 2014, 7:00am
My Town Wyoming: Health and Wellness Day returns to Metro Health Village July 31

WYOMING, Mich.-- Take advantage of free health screenings Thursday, July 31 during Metro Health's fourth annual Health and Wellness Day.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., visitors to Metro Health Village may also watch four local chefs compete to create delicious, healthy food with items and fresh produce from the farm market. Guests will have the opportunity to sample and take home their recipes.  Health and Wellness Day will also include games and face painting.

Metro Health Village is located at 5900 Byron Center Ave. SW in Wyoming.  The event runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information www.metrohealth.net/livehealthy/farm-market/

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My Town: Consumers Energy Foundation awards nearly $39K to nonprofits

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Tuesday, July 29th, 2014, 10:15am
My Town: Consumers Energy Foundation awards nearly $39K to nonprofits

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Dozens of nonprofit organizations that are close to the hearts of Consumers Energy employees are getting a financial boost.

The Consumers Energy Foundation recently awarded 78 grants worth $38,350 to organizations in Michigan where Consumers employees and retirees volunteer.  Last year, nonprofits in the state received more than $8 million from Consumers Energy and its employees, retirees, foundation and parent company, CMS Energy.  

The 2014 second quarter grant recipients include:

Allegan County

  • $450 to Fennville Public Schools Youth Baseball (Loren Barnes)
  • $550 to Fennville Public Schools Youth Football (Loren Barnes)

Ionia County

  • $550 to Portland Public Schools Wrestling Club (Chad Miller)

Kalamazoo County

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My Town: GVSU and DHS awarded research grant for family support program

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Monday, July 28th, 2014, 2:15pm
My Town: GVSU and DHS awarded research grant for family support program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—The Michigan Department of Human Services is teaming up with Grand Valley State University to measure the success of a family support program in more than 150 Michigan schools.

A three-year, $1.05 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will go toward measuring the impact of the Pathways to Potential program in Michigan.  The program places DHS case workers in schools to make it easier for children and their families to address barriers to their safety, health, education, attendance and self-sufficiency.

“We know that many children struggle in school because of outside of school challenges affecting both students and their families,” Gov. Snyder said. “The goal of Pathways to Potential is to reduce or eliminate those challenges by conveniently connecting families to the services they need to help everyone become more successful.”

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My Town: Our Kitchen Table improves lives through the power of plants

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Saturday, July 26th, 2014, 5:13pm
My Town: Our Kitchen Table improves lives through the power of plants

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.— A leafy green initiative to improve the lives of Grand Rapids families is leading to a plant free-for-all this weekend.

On Saturday, July 26, Our Kitchen Table will be giving away a variety of vegetable plants to those who rely on the United Church Outreach Ministry and the Asian West Michigan Association for support.  Kale, collars, broccoli, cauliflower, Bok Choy, chard, lettuce, cabbage and Brussel sprouts will all be available on a first come, first serve basis. The plant pick-up will take place at Gerald R. Ford Academic Center, 851 Madison Ave. SE from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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My Town: Health phone survey in Kent County largest of its kind in the world

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Saturday, July 19th, 2014, 7:00am
My Town: Health phone survey in Kent County largest of its kind in the world

GRAND RAPIDS – Starting this week, people in Kent County will be receiving letters and phone calls asking families to take part in the 2014 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

This health survey is the largest-conducted telephone survey in the world. The survey will help the KCHD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to track critical health issues, as well as creating and evaluating public health programs in Kent County. Issues and Answers, a phone marketing research firm, will be conducting the survey on behalf of the Kent County Health Department (KCHD).

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My Town: Park patch to help fight hunger in West Michigan

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Wednesday, July 16th, 2014, 12:57pm
My Town: Park patch to help fight hunger in West Michigan

WYOMING, Mich.—United Church Outreach Ministry is getting down and dirty to help fight hunger in West Michigan.

As part of their newest project, Growing Green Neighbors, ministry members teamed up with community members, Metro Health employees and other volunteers Tuesday to turn a patch of Wyoming’s Marquette Park into a thriving garden.

The food will be donated to Feeding America West Michigan, increasing the amount of healthy fresh vegetables available to pantry visitors.

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My Town: Be mindful of your health during storm cleanup

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer
Saturday, July 12th, 2014, 8:00am
My Town: Be mindful of your health during storm cleanup

WYOMING, Mich.—If you plan to spend the weekend cleaning up damage from Sunday night’s tornadoes and storms, the American Heart Association wants you to be mindful of your health.

Cleaning up storm damage can be physically taxing, leading to a higher risk of heart attack.  Residents should take plenty of breaks, carry smaller loads and drink plenty of water.  The American Heart Association says most importantly, residents should listen to their bodies. 

The warning signs of a heart attack include:

  • Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest that last for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
  • Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck and arms.
  • Chest discomfort with light-headedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

People who experience the warning signs of a heart attack should stop what they’re doing immediately and call 911.

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