If there are two things I know very well when March rolls around it is this: A bunch of my friends who are into sports will suddenly be unavailable as March Madness' first rounds take over the workplace with a series of games that makes focusing impossible. And secondly, my accountant will come calling, asking why I did not have more deductions. (We all can use a nudge to give more.) Luckily, two events coming up can help us solve both problems.
The first opportunity for the sports-minded is to attend the annual
Work In, this year being held at The Mitten Brewing Company on March 20 for the "first" round of March Madness. If that is not enough to get your boss to let you out of the office for an off site work day, tell him it is a fundraiser for the Friends of Grand Rapids Parks.
The other event this same day is The Meanwhile's
Benefit for Cure Violence – a new initiative just getting started in our region that will not only change the way our youth interact with each other but will transform how we handle conflicts out in the streets.
Join the team that is seeking to raise awareness and funding for the Cure Violence Initiative at The Meanwhile Bar, including Charlie Ransford of Cure Violence, who will give a brief presentation at 5:30 p.m.
As to why one would care, Raynard Ross, Lead Organizer, Cure Violence Grand Rapids, offers a few thoughts to consider.
"Anyone interested in reducing gun violence in Grand Rapids should stop in and support this evidence-based, public health approach to reducing homicides and shootings in GR," says Ross. "In the ongoing effort to establish the proven, effective anti-gun violence model, known as Cure Violence here in Grand Rapids, the multi-organizational collaborative has decided to begin grassroots efforts to introduce and promote Cure Violence to those most at risk of being susceptible to gun violence in Grand Rapids."
Funds raised will be donated to the Black Student Union at GRCC, who will in turn conduct and sponsor activities with anti-gun violence themes.
"In particular, these activities will educate the community about the history, effectiveness, and aspect of the Cure Violence Model with the objective of preparing the community for program implementation," says Ross.
30% of the total sales from 4p.m. to 2a.m. will be donated by The Meanwhile to support the project. For more information on Cure Violence in Grand Rapids, visit:
www.cureviolence.org
Admission: Work In starting at $45. and Cure Violence is Free