By: John Gonzalez | The Grand Rapids Press "American Idol" Season 8 finalist Matt Giraud will return to West Michigan next month to perform the National Anthem on Aug. 15 at Fifth Third Ballpark. The Kalamazoo resident will also meet fans and sign autographs during his guest appearance at the West Michigan Whitecaps' minor league baseball facility in Comstock Park, just north of Grand Rapids. According to officials of the Whitecaps, a Single A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, Giraud will also throw out the first pitch. Also, Giraud is appearing as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters Day at the Park, organized by Big Brothers Big Sisters of D.A. Blodgett-St. Johns. The outing allows kids and mentors to spend a day at the ballpark. Admission to the Day at the Park, plus food and t-shirt, is free to all pre-registered Big Brothers Big Sisters' participants. The game begins at 1 p.m. game against the South Bend Silver Hawks. Tickets can be purchased by visiting whitecapsbaseball.com, by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131, or in person at the Fifth Third Ballpark box office. Giraud is no stranger to singing the "Star-Spangled Banner." He performed the anthem in April at the Detroit Tigers home opener at Comerica Park.

The 24th Annual Bowl For Kids' Sake event is kicking off tomorrow at Eastbrook Lanes! Here are the dates and times: Friday, March 5 - 5:45PM, 8:30 PM Saturday, March 6 - 12:00 PM Sunday, March 7 - 12:00 PM Friday, March 12 - 5:45PM, 8:30 PM Friday, March 19 – 5:45PM, 8:30 PM Funds raised go to our Big Brothers Big Sisters Program to help match some of the 600 children currently waiting for a Big Brother or Big Sister match. Here is a link to watch our interview yesterday on WOOD TV8's EightWest: http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/eightwest/Bowl_for_Kids_Sake

Written By Joyce Conley, MSSW Feelings of love fill my heart I have a new family and a brand new start Wrapped with warmth and filled with care Family and friends and people who dared… To step outside the box of life No matter the struggles, the pain, the strife Have come to love me as their own Offered me safety, comfort and a home Now here we sit not only for the season, But to celebrate my life that now has new reason. So I say thank you to those who love me dearly To give much of themselves through foster care clearly Sets a tone for others to see, By providing love to a child so freely The holiday time was hard enough Now with family and friends it is not so rough Happy Holidays to my family that has taken me in And who demonstrates love through thick and thin.

1. Know the age and gender of your child first, and make sure the gift is appropriate for him or her. 2. Look at the toy advertisements in Sunday’s newspaper to see what is popular this holiday season. 3. Avoid toys that require a lot of assembly. 4. Steer clear of controversial or violent toys. 5. Make sure the child can play with the toy now – don’t give a gift for Christmas that the child can’t use until spring or summer. 6. See if the organization has a “wish list” from the child to give you a better idea of what he or she likes. 7. If the toy requires batteries include them with the gift. 8. When in doubt, stick with the classics – Barbie Dolls™, board games, or a basketball.

D.A. Blodgett for Children has a wonderful opportunity and an important need to provide Christmas gifts to our community’s most fragile children. Many of these children have been abused or impoverished and may be living in a foster home or in a family struggling to make ends meet. With your help, our goal is to provide Christmas gifts to 850 children this year. Please consider involving your family, employer or church in purchasing Christmas gifts for a specific child or sibling group. Your help by spreading the word at your workplace or church can help bring the spirit of Christmas to a child in need. If you are interested in partnering with D.A. Blodgett for Children this Christmas season, or have questions, please contact: Shelly McLain at phone: 616.774.461 email: smclain@dablodgett.org You will be provided with some specific ideas about sizes and identified needs/interests/wants for each child. Your help with making Christmas extra special for disadvantaged children is greatly appreciated. Your gifts provide a lesson in giving to the children who receive your support. This is an opportunity to bring your family, coworkers, and church group together to support a very worthwhile cause.

Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. A federal holiday, it is usually observed on November 11. Veterans Day, unlike Memorial Day, honors all American veterans, both living and dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country. November 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made in the lives to keep our country free. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. The United States Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting the President issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. An Act approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday. This day we honor the 24.9 million military veterans in the United States. Thank You!

D.A. Blodgett for Children hosted their 4th Annual Color Their World Benefit dinner on Thursday, October 8th at Cascade Hills Country Club. This year's event, which was sold out, was a huge success! During the event, Mrs. Edith Blodgett presented the 2009 Edith Blodgett Compassion Award to an amazing couple who have been married for 76 years – Bill and Inetta Martindill. The Martindill’s still actively volunteer their time to help various organizations and causes. Next April, Bill will celebrate his 100th birthday and Inetta her 99th. Bill and Inetta’s 65-year-old adopted son Roger flew in from Virginia to attend the event; during the evening, he publicly voiced his gratitude to his parents for adopting him and giving him a wonderful life. The Martindills are strong advocates for caring for children in need and long time friends of D.A. Blodgett for Children. Their dedication and commitment to our mission of providing for the children we serve is truly appreciated. In honor of the Martindills, who are passionate about higher education, Mike Fraser of Out On A Limb Playhouses in Grand Haven, constructed a one-room schoolhouse/playhouse. Lumber from an original 100 year old one-room schoolhouse was used in the construction of the playhouse. The original one room schoolhouse, donated by Steve and Betsy Van Antwerpen of Conklin, was falling apart and needed to be torn down. When the Van Antwerpens learned of our plans to build a one-room schoolhouse/playhouse, they were very eager to share lumber from the schoolhouse with us. The playhouse was auctioned off during the benefit for a generous bid of $5,600 and then donated back to D. A. Blodgett for Children. The playhouse will be housed on the St. John’s Home campus for the children who live on site to enjoy. The event featured interviews with several D.A. Blodgett for Children adoptive parents, foster parents, a Big Brother match, a young man in foster care and an update from a young lady in our independent living foster care program who is a sophomore at WMU. All were great testimonies for their dedication and hard work towards a better future for themselves and those entrusted to their care! Also featured at the gala was the band Midlife Crisis, one of Grand Rapids’ hidden gems in entertainment. Midlife Crisis provided classic hits to help dance everyone into the night, including the Martindill’s who enjoyed a few moves on the dance floor as well!

We are happy to announce that D.A. Blodgett for Children's website now has a blog to update you on programs, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, agency news, and more! We will be updating this blog every couple of days so be sure to check back for new and exciting things the agency is doing. Thank you for your support!