Michigan Mortgage Supports Dancing with the Local Stars

The 12th annual Dancing with the Local Stars Muskegon event will feature the largest cast to date, including of our very own.

Loan Officer and Co-Branch Manager Dave Lehner is one of 42 local stars teaming up with 11 professional dancers to raise money for local food pantries and programs.

“It’s a fun way to help our local community,” Dave said. “Our office takes pride in giving back and this is a great cause to support.”

His group includes: Nate Johnson, reentry and outreach director for Fresh Coast Alliance; Jonathan Seyferth, Coopersville city manager; Melanie Swiftney, author and director of marketing and communications for the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation; Patti Winsemius, dance instructor at Cassell Training Center.

His professional dance partner is Carly Switzer, diagnostic medical sonographer at Spectrum Health Butterworth and Blodgett Hospitals, a seven-year participant of the event.

“The practices are fun but hard,” Dave said. “We have to learn a lot of moves and keep the beat at the same time, but we will be ready to perform for the big night!”

Last year, the Muskegon event raised more than $135,000. Dave hopes to help raise even more money this year. Dancing with the Local Stars has raised over $1 million since its creation.

“Our goal is to beat the amount we raised last year,” said Shawn Norden, Michigan Mortgage Loan Officer and Dancing with the Local Stars Co-Chair of the Sponsor Committee. “Right now, we are on record pace! We could not do any of this without the help of our event sponsors.”

Much like Dave, Shawn has recognized a hunger issue in our community and is willing to do anything she can to help.

“We donate the funds collected from this event to food pantries and programs in Muskegon County, Northern Ottawa County and Southern Oceana County,” she said. “These recipients depend on our funds every year.”

Performances will take place the evenings of February 27-29, with an additional matinee on Saturday, February 29. Tickets went on sale on January 2 and sold out within days.

“I am looking forward to laughing, getting laughed at by my friends and family and showing off my dance moves,” Dave said.

If you’d like to donate, stop by our office and look for Dave’s decorated box. Thank you in advance for your support!

Image showing an autographed Justin Abdelkader jersey.

#MMGivesBack: Stand Up for the Cure

Each month, our staff selects a local charity to support through our #MMGivesBack program. Our goal is to give back, get involved and make a difference.

In honor of Loan Officer Shawn Norden and her passion for breast cancer awareness, we have selected Stand up for the Cure (SUFTC) Muskegon as this month’s charity.

“As a breast cancer survivor, I learned very quickly the importance of early detection,” Norden said. “It is not a cliché. Finding breast cancer early offers you less invasive treatment options and a much greater probability of survival.”

“My wish is that every woman has the same access that I did for finding breast cancer early – that is why I Stand Up for the Cure,” she said.

The event – the fifth in Muskegon – is slated for Saturday, July 13, at Harbour Towne Beach.

SUFTC’s mission is “to help women find breast cancer early – when it’s more treatable – through education, awareness, screenings and research while building a supportive, compassionate community.” The event aims to introduce non-paddlers to the fun and healthy sport of standup paddle boarding.

According to the organization, “Seventy-five percent of the funds raised at the 2019 event will go to local programs managed through Hackley Community Care, with the remaining twenty-five percent going to Van Andel Institute to fuel Dr. Carrie Graveel’s research into triple-negative breast cancer, which is the most aggressive and deadly form of the disease.”

“We help those right here in our community every day,” Norden added. “This is a huge reason why I support SUFTC. Of course, we want to end breast cancer forever – but until that happens, we need to help those afflicted by this horrid disease.”

Online registration is now open.

As part of this year’s event, Michigan Mortgage will be giving away a Red Wings jersey autographed by Muskegon’s very own Justin Abdelkader.

If you’d like an opportunity to win, stop by our office (6207 Harvey Street, Suite B) between now and July 12. The cost to enter is $10 for one chance and $20 for three.

If you’re planning to attend the July 13 event, stop by the Michigan Mortgage booth for your chance to win. All proceeds will go directly to Stand Up for the Cure.

The winner will be announced at noon on July 13. You need not be present to win.

If you have questions related to the giveaway, please call Shawn Norden at 231-557-9414.

“I am so grateful that our community has embraced this event and all it stands for,” Norden said. “We would not be able to be successful without our very generous sponsors, participants and the community as a whole.”

Muskegon Event Details
Location:
Harbour Towne Beach, Muskegon
Date: Saturday, July 13
Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Activities: Kid’s Paddleboard Race, 5K Expert Race, Relay Races, Fun “Sea of Pink” Paddle, Yoga on the Beach, Free Breast Health Screenings, Live Music, Catered Lunch & Happy House, a Silent Auction and much more!

For more information about this year’s event, click here.

Image of Michigan Mortgage staff members at the event

Fall Family Fun Customer Appreciation Event

On October 20, we invited past clients and our realtor partners to Mellema Farms for a “Fall Family Fun” appreciation event prior to the “Big Game” (University of Michigan took on Michigan State University at The Big House).

It wasn’t perfect weather wise, but we enjoyed spending time with everyone in attendance.

Mellema Farms had pumpkins on display and offered hayrides to their most popular pumpkin patches. We served fall treats and warm coffee to those willing to venture out in the gloomy weather. New this year, we set up a fall-themed display for complimentary family photographs.

Kaitlin Grace Photography was on the farm to lend a hand and capture multiple photos of each family. We hope you enjoy the finished product!

Special thanks to our past clients and realtor partners that braved the weather – thunder, rain, hail and a little bit of sunshine – to spend the day with us at Mellema Farms. We appreciate your continued support!

To view a photo gallery from this year’s event, click here.

Michigan Mortgage team at Flat of Flowers event

12th Annual Flat of Flowers Fun

May in Michigan brings excitement to the halls of Michigan Mortgage.

After a long, cold, snowy winter, we anticipate the beauty that spring brings to the lakeshore. With the spring warm up, we look forward to our Client Appreciation Flat of Flowers event so we can say thank you to our wonderful, loyal clients and friends that support MM year after year!

“We look forward to this event every year,” said Branch Co-Manager and Loan Officer Dave Lehner. “We like to catch up with past clients and see how their families are doing, welcome our new clients and celebrate the start of spring.”

This year, the rain came down but didn’t deter from the fun. Braving the weather and the mud with smiles and umbrellas in tow, it was a blast catching up with all who attended.

We hope that everyone felt a little spoiled when they left with a beautiful array of flowers to enjoy over the summer.

Thank you to everyone who popped in to say help and enjoy some warm coffee and treats under the Michigan Mortgage tent!

We’d also like to extend a HUGE thank you to Weesies Brothers Garden Center in Nunica who did not disappoint. They offered a beautiful selection of varying flowers to fit everyone’s taste. We appreciate you hosting the event!

We look forward to seeing everyone next May for the 13th Annual Flat of Flowers event!