Great Start Family Coalition of Kent County

Starting this week! Our 9th Annual Charity Diaper Drive!

From the 1st of September to the 1st of October, we're taking diaper donations to help families in need!

Our annual diaper drive benefits Nestlings | Diaper Bank of West Michigan and Great Start Family Coalition of Kent County. Holland-based Nestlings has distributed over 2.6 million diapers and helped over 50,000 families since 2011. Nestlings Diaper Bank also works with 31 partner agencies to distribute the diapers to families in need.

We collected 13,372 disposable diapers and 67 packs of wipes in 2023. To celebrate our 9th anniversary, our goal is to collect 15,000 diapers to support families in need in Kent, Ottawa, and Allegan counties. We collect opened and unopened boxes and packages of new disposable diapers, used cloth diapers and cloth supplies, new cloth diapers, and new boxes or packages of wipes. We need your help to make this happen.

Diaper donations will be accepted from September 1 to October 1st at the following partnered drop-off locations:

In Zeeland:
Howard Miller Library
Lake Michigan Credit Union

In Holland:
Brann’s
EcoBuns Baby + Co.
The Insurance Group
R Lucas Scott. Co.
Harbor Health & Massage
Lake Michigan Credit Union

In Greater Grand Rapids:
Rise Wellness Chiropractic PLC
Hopscotch Children’s Store
Mind Body Baby Collective
Advent Physical Therapy
Mindful Counseling GR: Three locations
Fit4Mom Grand Rapids: Donations accepted at classes.

Gold Coast Doulas: Donations accepted at classes or left outside the door of our office.

We appreciate your support! You can donate monetarily directly to fill Nestling’s Amazon Wishlist or through their website via Paypal.

Fatherhood Friday

Teaching Tip Thursday

Reading Wednesday
Every Child is Unique! Whether they are big or small, short or tall, like to swim, dance, sing or bike. Perhaps they have a special need or disability, or have a different ethnic background. Maybe they wear glasses, talk differently or require a wheelchair to get around. The truth is that all children are different and their individuality should be celebrated, not shunned. And this inspiring and brightly illustrated rhyming picture book does just that.

Maker Monday!

Popsicles too messy for you? How about this fun craft. No melting popsicles here!

Summer Popsicle Tissue Paper Craft For Kids Celebrate Summer with this super fun Popsicle Tissue Paper Craft for Kids of all ages. Easy Summer crafts that you will all love to make.

Join us this Saturday For Books, Blocks & Balls!!!!

Great Start Family Coalition of Kent County The Great Start Parent Coalition comes together to share information about early childhood and to su

Reading Wednesday

With 9 Stories in 1, the fun never ends! What Should Danny Do? is an innovative, interactive book that empowers kids with the understanding that their choices will shape their days, and ultimately their lives into what they will be. Written in a "Choose Your Own Story" style, the book follows Danny, a Superhero-in-Training, through his day as he encounters choices that kids face on a daily basis. As your children navigate through the different story lines, they will begin to realize that their choices for Danny shaped his day into what it became. And in turn, their choices for themselves will shape their days, and ultimately their lives, into what they will be.

Maker Monday!

Not able to make it to the beach to build a sandcastle? Try this paper plate version!

Paper Sand Castle Art Project For Kids Keep the kiddos entertained this summer with this fun paper sand castle art project! Dive into the creative possibilities and let their imaginations run

Maker Monday!

What a cool & creative activity!

https://busytoddler.com/frozen-paint-summer-activity/

Reading Wednesday

Anika’s aunt Kiara is smart, funny, intelligent, and the coolest girl she knows. When the power goes out, she discovers something different and exciting about Kiara. She’s not sure how to react at first but quickly realizes that different isn’t sad or strange—it’s just different!

This rhyming picture book will help kids learn about disabilities, show them that they’re not scary, and teach them how to behave when they meet someone who has a disability. It helps overcome common myths and shows how a person with disabilities is just like everybody else.

Free Shoes for K-5th Grade in Kent County! Register Today!!!

Register for SHOES | In The Image Park using the ramp under DeVos Place. Parking is FREE for all participating families! Participants will receive a 2-hour parking voucher at the end of their appointment. Parking address: 7 Bridge St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Maker Monday!

Do you have pool noodles laying around? Check out all of these cool things you can do!

Can you believe it's a pool noodle?! Check out how much you can do with a pool noodle! These pool noodle crafts and activities are fun, eco-friendly, and unbelievable.

Would you family like to have some free fun!? What about a foam party!

kdl.bibliocommons.com

Reading Wednesday

The Magic of Reading: Introduce your child to the magic of reading with Katie Can: A Story About Special Needs. This 24-page book features colorful illustrations and short, simple language to practice early reading comprehension skills.

Hands-On Reading Adventure: Katie has Down Syndrome, but that's not what makes her so special. Find out what makes Katie so unique!

Maker Monday

These would be really cool to make! Drop your pictures if you decide to try it out!

Bouncing Bubbles | Easy Bouncing Bubbles Recipe Use simple kitchen ingredients to make bouncing bubbles! Hold a bubble in your hand and bounce it up and down. It's such a fun kids activity!