Reaching Out
The Outreach Team connects C3 members with meaningful opportunities to support
causes that reflect C3’s shared values through service, partnership, and advocacy.
Our Purpose: Compassion in Action
The Outreach Team connects C3 members with meaningful opportunities to support causes that reflect C3’s shared values through service, partnership, and advocacy.
How You Can Help
- Support Week 3@C3
- Sign up for upcoming opportunities
- Suggest partner organizations and volunteering opportunities
Interested in learning more or getting involved with C3’s outreach efforts? Connect with an Outreach Team member or reach out by email:
outreachcommittee [at] c3exchange [dot] org
Outreach Team Members
Mark Smith, Team Co-Leader
Kathy Smith, Team Co-Leader
Chrys Moelter-Gray
Adam King
Lorie Gravitt
Annie Wassmann
Tom Edwards
Namaste C3 Community
As we continue into 2026, we want to pause and celebrate the compassionate work the C3 community continues to do in West Michigan. Your time, energy, and generosity make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. Thank you for showing up with open hearts and willing hands.
Earth Day – Lakeshore Earth Day Celebration was a successful event this year in Grand Haven. The parade comprised of many C3 members who walked down Washington Street to Harbor, back up Columbus to 5th, then to the First Presbyterian Church on Franklin – there were many electric cars, trucks, golf carts, a motorcycle, and a push lawnmower, all in support of a cleaner environment! The Church hosted the indoor activities. The committee estimates 200 community members attended the fair this year, which gave our representatives an opportunity to talk and interact with people of like-minded values. At our booth, both kids and adults enjoyed planting sunflowers and taking home flower seeds for planting later. The Lakeshore Earth Day Committee received positive feedback from attendees
and vendors. Because there were more vendors from the Muskegon area, C3 had the opportunity to reach people outside of Grand Haven. First Presbyterian Church has offered the space for next year as well. The Committee looks forward to inviting more vendor participants to the Lakeshore next year from Muskegon and Allegan County.
Upcoming Opportunities
• Week3@C3 : Momentum Center Micro-Pantry – collecting individually packaged, nonperishable food and personal items. Edgewood School, Muskegon Heights Public School – collecting from a list of teacher recommended most needed school supplies
• Pride Festival: Since its inception, C3 has been honored to support the annual Pride Festival and GH Pride. Again, this year, on June 13th we will play an important role. In addition to being a major sponsor of the festival, we will have a physical presence there as well. C3’ers will volunteer for the festival itself and staff the C3 booth so festival goers are aware of C3’s support and commitment to the queer community. We encourage everyone in the C3 Community to join in the celebration!
While not directly related, on June 14, Jay Kaplan will be the teacher at C3. Jay has been staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan’s LGBTQ+ Project since it began operations in 2001.
• Adopt-A-Highway Fall Clean Up: Saturday, September 19, 10am to noon
Volunteer Spotlight
Adam King
Adam King joined C3 in January of 2025 after meeting Brad Ruggles while cold plunging in a hole cut out of the ice in Lake Macatawa. He visited the Outreach table after a gathering and when Rod asked what he wanted to volunteer for, he responded “Why not everything?”. It was then that Rod suggested he join the Outreach Team. Adam serves as the Outreach Team Secretary and has been helping to organize and volunteer at many events such as Earth Day, the Hispanic Heritage Fiesta and the Grand Haven Pride Festival. He lives in Spring Lake with his wife and teenage son and looks forward to many more fun events this year. (Adam King, third from left)
Year to Date Activities
February – People Center food pantry – approximately $250 in
nonperishable food
March – Kenzie’s Be Cafe nonprofit coffeehouse – $225 donation
April – United Way of SW Michigan – Tornado Disaster Relief – $325 donation April – Adopt-A-Highway
A big Thank You, to our Adopt-A-Highway Volunteers!
On Saturday, April 11, 30 volunteers collected 7 4 bags of trash-an incredible effort! We’re so grateful for your time, energy, and dedication to keeping our community clean. You made a real impact-thank you! We may plan a quick summer touch-up on Saturday, July 11 to make up for areas we couldn’t access due to water-filled ditches. And save the date for our fall pickup on Saturday, September 19!
Ongoing Events
The Vigil for Peace and Justice has begun its seventh year with small but committed group of people who come together almost every Saturday from April through November to hold an hourlong vigil promoting peace and justice in our community and worldwide. We gather along Washington Avenue in front of Central Park in Grand Haven from noon to 1 p.m., holding a sign with a message promoting some act or idea about peace and justice. We wave or give the peace sign to passersby, and happily note at least 125 positive reactions like honks, waves, peace signs, and smiles each week. Of course, there are some negative reactions too, but that means we’re causing people to think about the issues raised by our signs. But there’s more to it than raising community awareness. That hour is almost like a meditation for some of us, and we are there because we value being able to spend the time both thinking about peace and our role in promoting it and representing ourselves (and the C3 Community) as an agent for peace and justice. You will be warmly welcomed if you join us, and we also appreciate your honks and waves if you drive by! Feel free to invite friends and neighbors, too! Contact Chrys Moelter-Gray with questions or suggestions.
