OUTREACH - Bottle & Can Deposits for Young Life

Young Life was started in 1941 by an associate pastor by the name of Jim Rayburn.  He was charged with the task of developing a program that ministered to the youth in his area.  His mission was to provide them with support and understanding, while sharing and modeling God’s love for them, as he related to them in their world.  

While sharing Jesus’ word and love for them, he provided a model of the love and ways that they could live their own lives, regardless of where they were or the circumstances, they found themselves in. The seeds planted in that program have since grown Young Life into an organization with roots in local areas all over the world.  The program serves diverse cultures, nationalities, and backgrounds in over 100 countries.  Young life leaders are working with over two million young people in their own communities, serving all age groups from childhood to adulthood (at 26 years of age) as well as with diverse needs and abilities.

The Greater Kalamazoo Young Life serves Kalamazoo County with a variety of age and purpose focused programs.  The activities, camps, and trips are made available to all participants. The Young Life Capernaum program gives teens and young adults with developmental disabilities the chance to make friends, while challenging their limits as they build self-esteem.  They experience the love of Jesus through clubs and camps, filled with fun activities and adventure.

One of our co-owners, Rick Kuipers, is a volunteer for the Capernaum program through Young Life. Rick and his wife Sue are members of the Welcoming Committee for new co-owners moving into our Leisure Pointe community.  One of the many ways Rick supports the Capernaum program is by collecting Returnable Bottles and Cans.  He turns them in for the bottle deposits and donates the proceeds to Capernaum for the purpose of helping with the costs of the camps, trips and activities offered throughout the year for those that cannot otherwise afford to participate.

If anyone would like to donate returnable bottles and cans throughout the year, Rick will happily accept them anytime you have them.  At this time, you can place them in plastic bags or shopping bags and drop them off to Rick at 4908 Weston.  You may leave them on his porch if he is not home.  He will then recycle them regularly and your donation will be passed onto the organization. As a back-up, they can also be dropped off to me at 4958 and I will pass them onto him.

Any bottle and can deposit donations are appreciated!