If you're in town July 16, be sure to bring the kids to our third annual Midsummer Ice Dream in the parking lot of East Grand Rapids Middle School. We'll have free Kona Ice for kids, face painting, and sidewalk chalk from 1-4pm. It'll be a fun afternoon and it's all free. Just a little thank you from the Foundation to everyone in our incredibly supportive community who values public education. Hope to see you there!

In June, the Foundation's Gerken Open golf outing attracted nearly 200 golfers to Thousand Oaks Golf Club for a 9-hole morning event and an 18-hole afternoon event. Once again this year, golfing spots in the Gerken Open sold out quickly, but more people were able to get in on the fun thanks to our online silent auction. One-of-a-kind experiences including golf for four people at spectacular Arcadia Bluffs, bartending service for your next event, unparallelled Detroit Tiger tickets in the Home Plate Club, and lots more were auctioned off to benefit Jimmy's Friendship Fund for families in need.

Jimmy’s Friendship Fund, named for beloved longtime resident and EGRPS staff member Jimmy Gerken, provides money to cover immediate needs for families within the district that are experiencing temporary financial difficulties. The funds may be used to cover pay-to-participate expenses for extracurriculars, student activity fees, household needs, or personal needs.

The Gerken Open supports athletics and extra-curriculars--the activities Jimmy Gerken loved best--through Team Boosters and the Foundation's Gerken Fund. 

If you'd like to help Jimmy's Friendship Fund make all the opportunities in our district available to all families, even those going through temporary financial hardship, you can donate on our website or by clicking the button below. 

By defeating Detroit Country Day in the final game, the East Grand Rapids varsity boys lacrosse team won the 154th state title in school history. That's the most team state championships won by any school in the history of Michigan. The state title is the first for the Pioneers under head coach Kyle Osipoff, who won a state lacrosse championship as a player in 2007.