Community
East Grand Rapids Public Schools (EGRPS) is located in beautiful West Michigan. Our community surrounds two lakes (Fisk and Reeds), and is only a short distance (2-3 miles) from downtown Grand Rapids and 40 minutes from Lake Michigan. EGRPS is proud to have several community partners who all strongly support our schools.
City of EGR
We pride ourselves on being a walking community, and any day you'll see families out walking, biking, or running. Manhattan Park and John Collins Park are two frequented areas by our community, and you can grab a bite to eat in Gaslight Village, featuring several small local restaurants and shops.
Learn more about the City of East Grand Rapids
Learn more about the EGR KDL Public Library
Hearts of Gold
Past Partners
About Us
Hearts of Gold is a community fundraiser in East Grand Rapids where students, parents, educators, administrators and community members come together to raise funds and generate awareness for a local nonprofit organization.
| Co-Chairs: | |
| Ellen Cherveny | Kerry Hegele |
| Committee Members: | |
| Mary Beth Brown | Alissandra Kruer |
| Sarah Calnan | Katie Millman |
| Courtney Cinglie | Whitney Renner |
| Ketti Collins | Katie Stein |
| Karrie Gumina | Teri Tesseris |
| Beth Hoekstra | Julie Vangessel |
| Lauren Jacoby | Julie Wiseman |
| Sara DeGoa | |
| Student Leaders: | |
| Lily Adloff | Riley Padgett |
| Liv Bolling | JC Poortenga |
| Gavin Buck | Matt Rose |
| Vivian Cherveny | Ben Ruppert |
| Emmalin Cinglie | Kate Simon |
| Sydney Collins | Zoe Sorota |
| Lia DeGoa | Grace Taylor |
| Gerrett Dill | Luke Vangessel |
| Avery Leete | James Weiner |
| MC Millman | Lexi Wiseman |
History
Hearts of Gold began in 2009 when the football team decided to play a game benefiting Helen DeVos Children's Hospital after losing a fellow student to childhood cancer.
Hearts of Gold has become a well-established tradition within the EGR community, underscoring the importance of philanthropy and making a contribution towards the welfare of others. The program has brought attention to the capacity of every individual, regardless of age, to make a positive difference. Hearts of Gold has raised more than $1 million supporting local nonprofit organizations.
| Hearts of Gold Past Partners | |
|
2023 iUnderstand |
2022 Children’s Healing Center |
| 2021 Family Promise | 2019 Epilepsy Foundation |
| 2018 Children’s Advocacy Center Basket | 2017 Kids Food |
| 2016 Arbor Circle | 2015 Ele’s Place |
| 2014 Billy Bear Foundation | 2013 Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan |
| 2012 Gold is the New Pink HDVCH | 2009-2011 HDVCH |
Sponsors
Current Partner
Partner Application
The 2024 Hearts of Gold application is now closed.
The application asks for the following information:
- Name and address of the organization
- Contact information for the Executive Director and anyone else that will be involved
- Website and social channels actively used
- Must be 501(c)(3)
- Must have a Grand Rapids presence
- What is the organization’s Mission Statement?
- What is the annual operating budget?
- Does the organization have staff or volunteers to support Hearts of Gold?
- Is there a personal connection to East Grand Rapids?
- Why does this organization want to partner with EGR Hearts of Gold?
- Is there a specific program or project the funds raised would go towards?
Contact Us
Kent ISD
The KISD provides services to twenty local public districts and to all non-public schools within its boundaries. Directly or indirectly, Kent ISD serves almost 400 schools, more than 120,000 students and 7,000 educators.
Our students are served by KISD at all levels from our youngest learners, to our special education population, to our high schoolers who choose to enroll in KCTC.
The Legacy of Jimmy Gerken
Jimmy Gerken was an East resident and then staff member with special needs. He was also a friend to just about everyone he ever met. If you attended an East event any time in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s, you probably saw Jimmy. And if you were really lucky, you got to know him. One of Jimmy’s most famous quotes is his response to someone who was bullying him about his special needs: “That’s okay," Jimmy said. "I’ll still be your friend.”
Jimmy passed away in 2002 at age 52.
Jimmy Gerken’s legacy continues to be celebrated throughout East Grand Rapids. Every year, the high school’s Kabookie Week reminds students of his message of friendship. Gerken Plaza, the area at the north end of Memorial Field that was named in Jimmy’s honor, features a statue of Jimmy Gerken sitting on a bench and giving a friendly wave.
In 2024, the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation created this video to inform a new generation of students about Jimmy Gerken’s life and legacy.
School News Network
School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent ISD, which enroll more than 102,000 students. Founded in 2013 as an initiative of Kent ISD, we are supported by local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and multimedia journalists. SNN specializes in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues facing students and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.
