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Action Teams |
Northwest OCWC Action Team Southwest OCWC Action Team Northeast OCWC Action Team Southeast OCWC Action Team
Action Teams are the groups who carry out the strategies of OCWC. They consist of individuals who take on tasks and work to accomplish them.
Action Teams:
- Meet monthly.
- Develop action plans based on local data to improve the health environment of their local community.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of their initiatives.
- All Action Team meetings will be held locally
We need Action Team Members from:
Schools Healthcare Local government Parks and Recreation City Planning Agriculture Segments of the food and business communities Transportation
To join your local Action Team please contact:
Or call 1-800-764-4111 ext. 5772
(Grand Haven, Ferrysburg, and Spring Lake)
The Northwest Action Team encompasses 7 municipalities in northwest Ottawa County: Grand Haven, Grand Haven Township, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Township, Ferrysburg, Crockery Township and Robinson Township. We received $1000 grant from the Ottawa County Wellness Coalition (OCWC) to help fund a fence for the People Center’s Community garden. Produce from the garden is distributed to needy people through their food pantry. In June, representatives from 4 of the 7 municipalities in our quadrant came to a meeting to find out more about the NW Action Team. The people and the communities they represented were: Suzanne Proksa, Grand Haven Township; Ryan Cotton, Spring Lake Village; Craig Bassinger, Ferrysburg; and Karla Constantine, Crockery Township. If you are interested in finding out more about the NW Action Team please call me at 616-847-5332 or email at mcunningham@noch.org. 
(Holland and Zeeland)
Happenings
- Completed the Promoting Active Communities assessment for the city of Holland. This self-assessment is used to evaluate a communities built environments, policies, and programs related to promoting and supporting physical activity. Final results for the Holland assessment expected from the Michigan Department of Community Health by August 2010.
- Working with the Outdoor Discovery Center to promote the "No Child Left Inside" program. Get your family outdoors today! For ideas and fun ODC programs visit www.outdoordiscoverycenter.org.
- Looking to the spring planting season by aiding with community gardens around the Holland/Zeeland area. Several grants are pending.
Future Plans:
- Assessing after school activities in Holland/Zeeland for children in grades K-5. Our goal is to promote available programming to help children be physically active in our community.
2010 Meeting Dates:
Southwest Action Team (SWAT) meets the second Tuesday of each month from 1:30pm-2:30pm at various member locations. If you're interested in joining this team or have any questions, please contact Christine Powers 616.836-2899, christinepowers11@yahoo.com.
Revised 12/09(Allendale, Coopersville, Wright, Polkton, Chester & Tallmadge)

Happenings:
Families Eat Farm Fresh: The intent of the project was to provide vouchers for the purchase of fresh produce at the Grand Valley State University(GVSU) Farmers’ Market for the residents of GVSU Family Housing and the children from the Enrichment Center housed on the GVSU Campus.
We encouraged healthy eating over the summer through providing healthy produce and other incentives. Funding for this project was provided by a $1000 grant from the Ottawa County Health Department.
Sheridan Park- Polkton Township: Received funding to expand walking paths and build a walking bridge to access additional trails. This 57 acre park will provide fitness opportunities for Polkton Township and the City of Coopersville. A “Party on the Path” will be held this summer to promote the new park. Sheridan Park is located at 64th Ave. North of Cleveland, Coopersville, MI 49404.
Community Garden in Coopersville: North East Action Team members are evaluating the possibility of starting a community garden in Coopersville along with other community leaders.
Join the North-East Action Team! If you are interested in joining this team or have any questions, please contact Kim Kooyers 616.393.5799, or kkooyers@miottawa.org
(Hudsonville & Jenison)
Updates:
- SEAT partnered with Jenison Public Schools’ Early Childhood Center (ECC) to expand the “Georgetown Community Garden.” Students and staff at the ECC were involved with the garden, including 120 pre-k students, 60 kindergarten students, and 60 summer camp students. They assisted with planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting in the garden. Community volunteers built a greenhouse at the garden. In addition, the Building Trades Class from Jenison High School constructed and delivered a barn for the community garden. The garden was a huge success! The ECC was able to provide 100 seedlings to the Georgetown Senior Center for their own garden. The ECC staff also incorporated some of the produce into snacks the children consumed at school. To date, ECC students have harvested over 70 pounds of produce, including tomatoes, corn, bell peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, green beans, and hard squash. The harvest was shared with local families in need.
What’s Happening Now:
- Completing the Promoting Active Communities (PAC) Assessment for the city of Hudsonville
- Developing educational materials for families regarding making healthy lifestyle choices
- Promoting OCWC and the Physical Activity Search Engine in the local area
- Recruiting additional Southeast Action Team members
If you are interested in joining this Action Team, or have any questions, please contact Lisa Uganski at 616.393.5770, or luganski@miottawa.org
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