Off-Site Meeting at SLHS
We met with the Spring Lake High School Interact Club at Spring Lake High School for our weekly meeting. We also heard from Tami Elhart, Foundation Specialist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, after she was presented with the “big check” for the Bayou Battle fundraising proceeds.
Here’s a little history on the Bayou Battle event for those of you who may be new to the club or the area. Fruitport is Spring Lake's oldest rival in our school's history, and this year was the 52nd time the two schools have met on the gridiron. In 2012, Ed Grafton worked with the athletic directors from each school to make the rivalry game into an annual fundraiser, called the Battle of the Bayou, with Rotary and the Spring Lake High School Rotary Interact Club as a the main fundraising coordinators. The winning school gets bragging rights, and they get to take home the canoe paddle trophy. Spring Lake pulled out a huge overtime win in this year's game, 21-20, at Grabinski Field, and has held the trophy back to back years now.
For the past few years, all funds raised for the Bayou Battle have been donated to the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Foundation. The total of all funds raised for that event was $4,909.13. Funds came from a variety of sources, not the least of which was Orchard Markets donations accepted at the checkout the week leading up to the game. The total raised at Orchard Markets’ Fruitport and Spring Lake stores was $2,574, with the remaining funds raised by way of the car-smash event, Rotary Club donations, game night donations, and then through the SLHS Penny Wars. Thanks to all those involved, including Orchard Markets’ Owner, Alex Rogalla, Tracy Straight, Dave Stocking, John Nash, Julie Bunke, the SLHS Interact Club, and their advisors, Emily Nieboer and Jen Gutierrez. Thanks also to our sponsors who assisted with the car smash event, including Joe’s Auto Parts, Lakeside Towing and Spring Lake Ace Hardware.
50/50 Winner: TBD 11/1