Step Up Flower Auction – Help Young People Blossom and Bloom

Planting seeds of hope

At any given time, there are approximately 400 children living in foster care in Muskegon County, Michigan. For many of these young people, making the transition out of foster care and into adulthood can be fraught with difficulties.

Several years ago, my friends Dr. Dick Kamps, Lynn Kamps, and Carolyn Walker, along with many others, decided to help. They created Step Up, a faith-based nonprofit, to help house and mentor young adults making the challenging journey out of foster care and into the real world.

Helping them grow

With the help of numerous volunteers from our Muskegon community, faith community, and medical community, Step Up was able to purchase, renovate, and open a house for young women in 2015.

I am excited to announce that Step Up just recently purchased and is renovating a house for young men.

Step Up, in many ways, is like a community garden. When you plant the seeds of caring, love, and hope, it is amazing to watch what can grow!

Watch them bloom

If you would like to learn more and support the mission, join us for Step Up’s first annual fundraiser – the Flower Auction – Saturday, September 15th, from 10 a.m. until noon. The event will take place at the newly remodeled Muskegon Surgery Center on 1400 Mercy Drive in Muskegon and there is no cover charge to attend.

Save the date: Flower Auction, Saturday, September 15th!

The event will begin with an update on Step Up’s community efforts followed by a special flower presentation. Retired local pathologist Dr. Rick Peters and Step Up Board Member Greg Genevith will share their respective expertise on growing dahlias and daylilies.

Attendees will learn how Rick and Greg got started and how they develop variations and unique strains of each flower. The pair will also share their secrets, so you can succeed in growing these flowers yourself.

Bouquets of flowers, rootstock, and bulbs will be available for sale with the proceeds supporting Step Up.

Sweet buds: Flowers and chocolate

Also for sale at Step Up’s fundraiser will be our newly created Dr. Stork’s Happy Hive Honeycomb Toffee with a portion of the proceeds supporting the men’s house.

A portion of the proceeds from our original Happy Hive Honey Chocolates and Honey Drenched Pears will support the women’s house.

Both chocolates are the creation of Patricia Christopher at Patricia’s Chocolate in Grand Haven, Michigan. Patricia will have other chocolates available for sale as well.

Step Up Flower Auction: Create a buzz!

Join us on September 15th to celebrate the success of Step Up and treat yourself to some beautiful blooms and delicious chocolates.

Please pass the word about this unique and exciting event and share on social media. Let’s continue to create a buzz around Step Up!