They are your neighbors, your friends, your coworkers. They sit in our classrooms. They bag your groceries or work in our factories. People who carry on with their daily lives while at the same time touching the lives of others. The person who faces adversity and is inspired to help others. The person who devotes themselves to making life better for someone else. They are the EVERYDAY HEROES who make our Lakeshore a better place to live, work, and play.
Each year, United Way of the Lakeshore honors the everyday heroes that live and work among us.
Who is an Everyday Hero?
Each day on the Lakeshore, citizens, and organizations are changing lives and solving community challenges. Everyday Heroes work quietly to heal, unite and improve our communities through their volunteerism and philanthropic work. Their generosity and kindness are even more inspiring–and sorely needed–during this time of a global pandemic, economic turmoil, and social unrest.
![Jen](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/jenn_bailey_211.png?itok=xWO2PwLm)
211, Community Access Line of the Lakeshore - Jen Bailey
![Lori Smoli](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/Lori%20Smolinski.png?itok=aptINshK)
Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired - Dr. Lori Smolinski
![Bill Kordupel](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/Bill%20Kordupel.png?itok=m0RnVjpP)
Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County - Vicki Price
![Bill Kordupel](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/Bill%20Kordupel.png?itok=m0RnVjpP)
Every Woman's Place - Rita Howard
![Wilcox](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/wilcox_kfb.png?itok=fFzpbGke)
Kids' Food Basket - Priscilla Wilcox
![Carolyn](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/carolyn_smith_geddes.png?itok=Er_EwB8a)
Mediation & Restorative Services - Carolyn Smith-Gerdes
![Bill Kordupel](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/Bill%20Kordupel.png?itok=m0RnVjpP)
Newaygo County Compassion Home - Dr. Douglas & Lou Ann Johnson
![Bill Kordupel](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/Bill%20Kordupel.png?itok=m0RnVjpP)
Pathfinders - Tayonna McQuarter
![Alicia](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/alicia_wiggins_step_up.png?itok=q7szUkfl)
Step Up - Alicia Wiggin
![Jelanie Bush](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/jelanie_bush.png?itok=0A0ppxxo)
TrueNorth Community Services - Jelanie Bush
![Bill Kordupel](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/Bill%20Kordupel.png?itok=m0RnVjpP)
AgeWell Services of West Michigan - Zeke Johnson
![Kim Watson](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/kim_watson.png?itok=0-jhaK5L)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lakeshore - Kim Watson
![Thomas Evans](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/thomas_evans.png?itok=zdR6oxYx)
Community enCompass - Thomas Evans
![Kristy Wygaarden](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/kristy_wygaarden.png?itok=Il1x40Fr)
Girl Scouts MI Shore to Shore - Kristy Wyngaarden
![Eric Hood](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/eric_hood.png?itok=6vCwLXZR)
Lakeshore Regional Community Development Corporation: Eric Hood
![Heidi](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/heidi_bolema.png?itok=iUbwVJUb)
Michigan Education Corps / Hope Network - Heidi Bolema
![Jeff Wright](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/jeff_wright.png?itok=CUe8JFG_)
Newaygo County RESA - Jeff Wright
![Tashina](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/tashina_kerr.png?itok=lQQmjxRZ)
Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect: Tashina Kerr
![Rita](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/rita_cavinass.png?itok=EXXym__Z)
The Hope Project - Rita Caviness
United Way of the Lakeshore - Jason Finch
![Bill Kordupel](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/Bill%20Kordupel.png?itok=m0RnVjpP)
American Red Cross - Carol Norwick
![Laura Hardy](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/laura_hardy.png?itok=Zk7CiOA5)
Boys & Girls Club of the Lakeshore - Laura Hardy
COVE - Nicole Young
Goodwill Industries of West MI - Brad Hulce
![Alvin](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/alvin_bacon_jr.png?itok=1z_81N4Y)
Legal Aid of Western Michigan - Alvin Bacon
![Linda](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/linda.png?itok=cIU8uPup)
Mission for Area People - Linda Alexander
![Eva](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/eva.png?itok=glGgTdQ0)
Oceana County Community Foundation - Eva Berumen-Reyna
Read Muskegon - Matt Anderson
The Salvation Army - Steve Rogers
![Carrie Autman](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/carrie_autman.png?itok=GA4uE9XD)
Volunteer for Dental - Carrie Autman
![Bill Kordupel](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-11/Bill%20Kordupel.png?itok=m0RnVjpP)
Arc Muskegon - Robert Hosler
Catholic Charities West Michigan - Barb Grice
Disability Network of West Michigan - John Taylor
Helping Every Living Person Survive - Darvenna Mallard
Love INC of Muskegon County - Betty Shafer
Muskegon YMCA - Liz Trzaska
Orchard View Community Education - Melissa Randles
![Sarah Rudat](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/sarah_rudat.png?itok=3daBVP-N)
Staircase Youth Services - Sarah Rudat
Senior Resources - Patricia McNeill
![Billie Brown](/sites/unitedwaylakeshore/files/styles/large/public/2023-05/billie_brown_0.png?itok=XgXGKbV8)
White Lake Area Community Education - Billie Brown