RIP Annie Drew Spaeth aka Mama Drew, 1948 - 2019

Today in Heartside Park a memorial service was scheduled for Drew, but neither the person who planned the service nor the community at large showed up. So although it was a small group it was wonderful to get together with some people I haven't seen in years.

Chaplain Viola, who worked at Heartside Ministry about 9 years ago, came to run the service. The day was chilly but we waited half an hour for others to show up and then called it at 3pm. Viola gathered us in a circle and recruited a few others who were hanging around in the picnic shelter. And she prayed eloquently, remembering Drew and her family. Her prayer concluded with: "And we pray for the President. We don't want to but we do." We all laughed as we prayed.

It was a short but sweet service held under art created by many Heartside artists.

Keith brought two purple heart balloons and even though they sailed away prematurely, we still said goodbye to Drew when they went.

Drew was a big part of Heartside Ministry for many years and was a regular volunteer. She enjoyed keeping people in line and took no guff from anyone, ever.

She had a huge heart and loved the Heartside neighborhood, and it loved her back. Here she is on one of her birthdays.

Here at a Heartside Ministry volunteer lunch.

She never missed a party at Heartside.

Some comments I received from former Heartside employees who knew her discussed her smooth fashion, her red hair, cut close, and her bright smile. She had a heart of gold but took no b.s. from anyone. And I think that's as good a summary as any.

It was a pleasure to have known you, Drew, and it was my honor to be part of your memorial service at Heartside Park today. RIP 💗

A Heartside Ministry Clean-up Day ~ 7/18/19

It's been a good 20+ years since our lower level was purged of old things, and today was the day. Every nook and cranny was gone through ahead of time and items were tagged for the 'metal-pickup' truck or the dumpster. We found many things we didn't know we had nor did we have need for them.

With the truck out front and the dumpster off the side alley, our gallant group of volunteers began the work.

The dumpster was filled to the brim in five hours. That is a lot of accumulated stuff. (Thank you grandrapidsdumpsterrental.com for the dumpster!)

Out front, everything with a bit of metal in it was being carried out to the trailer.

After an hour or so, it began to rain but this slowed no one down.

In under three hours, the trailer was expertly and efficiently loaded, strapped down, and headed for Padnos Recyling Center.

And just a few words on this small family business that picked up our metal things at no charge to us. 'Moved or Removed' today consisted of Shelley and her two children, Alex and Samantha. Shelley's partner, Jeremiah, was hospitalized and so these three handled it all, with some carrying help from our staff and interns. We believe they just might be the hardest working family in Grand Rapids, and we highly recommend them. (movedorremoved@gmail.com; 616-337-1815: moving, hauling, trash & yard waste removal, and light demolition).

Our other group of volunteers was made up of teenagers from St. Robert's church in Ada, led by Jim and Greg from Mel Trotter Ministries. Knowing all of the things that had to be carried up from our lower level, I felt a little dismayed when I first saw the group of two boys and four girls walk in. But I was wrong to be concerned. They were motivated, determined, and not afraid to walk into any spider-webbed filled closet or cubby hole. They were intrepid warriors.

A special thanks also goes out to our interns, Tim and Evan, and staff members, Tony and Mike. If I can ever get them together I will add a photo :-) They worked non-stop during this project and did the bulk of the heavy lifting. 

So after every hallway and closet was investigated and cleared, we said goodbye to clean-up day.