Christmas in May

West Michigan responded to the WOOD TV8 Christmas in May campaign with donations of eight essential items throughout the area.

On Wednesday, 24 Hour News 8 broadcast throughout the day as donations were brought to local Spartan stores. The goal was to collect 25 tons of dry goods. All of the donations collected stay within the community they were collected in and will be distributed to area food pantries.

In Muskegon, fans of Bill's Blog came out early and often to support the campaign -- and get a Bill's Blog T-shirt. Many people came and donated items, and some donated money to buy items.

At the Family Fare in Cutlerville, Eva Aguirre Cooper was joined by Emily Linnert for 24 Hour News 8's Daybreak coverage of Christmas in May, before Brian Sterling and Suzanne Geha stopped by to pitch in. Amway donated 500  1.5 liter bottles of SA8 laundry detergent at around noon.

At the Portage D&W, full carts of donations greeted volunteers as they arrived. Menard's made a large donation, and Culver's donated tokens for free ice cream in exchange for donations.

Volunteers had things set up and ready to go in Holland.

Jen Moss and Matt Kirkwood were collecting donations at the Family Fare in Grand Rapids.  The Kent County Road Commission dropped off some items there.

And the Cedar Springs team of Joy Wellington, Rick Albin and Jack Doles took donations from people all day.

Total items collected from all sites (watch for updates - numbers are approximations)

• Toilet paper - 7586
• Toothbrush and toothpaste - 17,485
• Deodorant - 3510
• Shampoo and conditioner - 9627
• Bar soap - 4521
• Dish soap - 4589
• Laundry detergent - 1310
• Diapers - 18,465
• Miscellaneous - 696

WOOD TV8 and Spartan Stores partnered in a community-wide initiative to help struggling families make ends meet in these challenging economic times. “Your Money. Your Neighbor. Christmas in May” was designed to supply West Michigan families with everyday items that aren’t always available at food pantries and can’t be purchased with food stamps.

Starting May 4, WOOD TV8, Spartan Stores and local businesses began displaying Christmas trees and asked for your help to stock those trees with eight essential items.