We love when our team members support the communities they serve, especially during the summer months when we can volunteer in the great outdoors. This summer, our Newport, Mich. Distribution Center team members spent some time just 20 miles up the road at Penrickton Center for Blind Children in Taylor, Mich., helping with various landscaping projects on the property where the children often play.
Carly Thorn, Operation Manager at our Newport Distribution Center leads the Center’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. Since starting the group in Feb. 2023, they look for opportunities each month to spread education and awareness around relevant topics, as well as partner with community organizations – most recently, Penrickton Center.
For over 70 years, Penrickton Center for Blind Children has been helping families and meeting the needs of visually impaired children in the Metropolitan Detroit area. Penrickton specializes in children, ages 1 through 12, who are visually impaired with at least one additional disability, such as deafness, cerebral palsy, developmental delay and seizures.
“It’s amazing to see how much the Penrickton Center impacts the community,” Carly said. “Our team was able to visit the facility multiple times this summer, and we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to assist in various landscaping tasks to help make its play areas more welcoming and accessible for these children and their families.”
Volunteers are vital to Penrickton Center. From assisting its therapy dog, adaptive horseback riding, and computer programs to more everyday activities like gardening, mail processing, maintenance and yard/grounds support, the Center welcomes individuals, workplaces, service organizations, churches, schools, clubs and foundations on a daily basis.
“There is no charge to families for any of our services,” said Sharlene Garcia, the Center’s Volunteer Coordinator. “We rely solely on volunteers and private donations to support our staff and programs, which also includes food, equipment and other essential items. We’re thankful for Meijer and their ongoing support this summer and are excited to continue partnering with them in the near future.”
Our Newport Distribution Center team members remain committed to supporting Penrickton and other organizations and causes in the Southeastern Michigan area.