Operation United and Veterans
The Salvation Army in Kent County partnered with other non-profits April 26th to give back to those that served our country. The annual project brought almost 200 volunteers together from several agencies, including the Home Depot Foundation and Heart of West Michigan United Way to complete landscaping and outdoor home repair projects for local military veterans, current service members and their families.
(Home Depot and Heart of United Way representatives & Major Tim Meyer) (Michael Hyacinthe, co-founder, and chairmen of HAS HEART & Major Tim Meyer)
The event began early in the morning at Has Heart coffee shop located in Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Grand Rapids. The veteran-run nonprofit opened in November of 2023.
A volunteer rally kicked things off with opening remarks from Home Depot and Heart of West Michigan United Way. Grand Valley Area Commander Major Tim Meyer, who is also a veteran, then delivered the opening prayer. "United Way has done such a tremendous job and it’s such a blessing what you are doing for the community.” Meyer said. As an organization that also helps veterans, we are so thankful to be a part of this project.”
After the rally, volunteers went to work on numerous projects that lasted all day. The Salvation Army provided and delivered lunches to all the volunteers at different sites. In total, volunteers completed landscaping and outdoor home repairs for 36 different families throughout Kent County.
At one veteran’s home, a donated American flag was even presented and raised as Major Meyer who is also a veteran, led everyone in singing “My Country Tis of Thee”.
