Written By: Carrie Lyzenga, Special Events Coordinator and Linda Postma, Development Director
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!
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