For twenty years now Compassionate Heart has been funded one hundred percent through fundraisers and donations. Their Hearts in Motion 5k Run/Walk that takes place in tandem with their Flamingo Fun Run is one of three fundraisers they hold each year.
“It’s inspirational, it’s fun, and we get to have a little silliness on the side.” - Donna Bunce
When reflecting on what makes the Flamingo Fun Run so special, Donna said she loves “standing at the finish line just watching [the participants] come in.” She recalls specifically observing a young man with cerebral palsy who finds walking difficult participating in the race. “Once he comes around that last lap he tries to pour it on and just, you know, cross the finish line with all of his strength, and I love watching that. It blesses your heart in a big way. And then just to see the friends…who come along side to also participate, I think it’s very inspiring to them as well.”
The Flamingo Fun Run gives participants of Compassionate Heart something to be proud of, Michelle Schrotenboer, Events Coordinator, explained. Formerly, the Hearts in Motion 5k was just a fundraiser for the community to participate in, now with the addition of the Fun Run, it’s something all of Compassionate Heart looks forward to.
Compassionate Heart will celebrate twenty years this year. The anniversary is both exciting and heartwarming for those who’ve been with the organization since the beginning and can recall their humble beginnings. Donna’s son, who has autism, was the inspiration for Compassionate Heart. Like any other mom, Donna wanted the best for her son; not just a good neighborhood or a good school, but somewhere for him to go after school, a place for fun and community. There’s so much he was missing out on, she admitted, “you’re not invited to people’s birthday parties, you’re not included on sports teams…We all want to have friends; we all want to find those things that make life happy.”
So Compassionate Heart was born. And, as Donna put it: “for twenty years it’s really just been all about building relationships with our friends.”
Not all participants at compassionate heart are born with a disability. Many find Compassionate Heart while seeking a place to build community after experiencing a stroke, illness, or traumatic brain injury. Compassionate Heart comes alongside of the individual and the entire family on their road to recovery–whatever that may look like.
Donna recongizes the immense privilege it is to be able to support families in uncertain times. She’s been able to provide a haven for stroke victims to relearn how to walk and talk. “It’s an honor to have the family trust you to know that we’re going to provide their son a safe place for him to be in.”
Compassionate Heart services over 300 families and has somewhere between 60 and 80 friends walk through their doors every Monday through Thursday to receive life skills lessons, organized physical activity, meals together, Bible study, and more.
The day is split into a morning and an evening session and runs from 9 am until 8 pm. Participants have lots of choices on which activities they’d like to do, but there is always structure.
Since Compassionate Heart is fully run through donations, participating in events such as the Hearts in Motion 5k provides immense support.
However, Compassionate Heart is also seeking out volunteers. “Whether you’re in high school, college, or a retired individual, or someone who has a little time on their hands, we always, always need volunteers to come alongside,” Donna explained. They need people willing to color alongside a friend, or play basketball, or serve dinner in the kitchen. Whether it’s volunteering once a month or once a week, any time offered is welcomed.
Donna also mentioned a need for people willing to drive a shuttle bus to pick up and drop off participants. Many friends go to Compassionate Heart after school, so transportation from school to their facility is a huge need.
What do you wish people of Ottawa County knew about Compassionate Heart?
Donna would like Ottawa County to know that “people with disabilities are really no different than you and I. We all just want to have a place to go. We all want to have fun. We all want to have friends, and we just want to fit in and belong.”
Compassionate Heart has been giving people of all differing abilities a place to belong since 2006. Events like the Hearts in Motion 5k help make that possible.
If you’d like to learn more about the Hearts in Motion 5k Run/Walk you can contact Michelle Schrotenboer at michelle@compheart.org.
For any other questions about Compassionate Heart and how you can get involved you can contact Donna Bunce at donna@compheart.org.
Jade Havenaar is a Holland native and a life-long lover of the lake, coffee, and a good book. She’s a former middle school teacher and a published author. After marrying the boy she met in a bar and traveling the US together, she and her husband welcomed their first born and Jade happily added “boy mom” to the list of hats she wears. When she’s not writing or changing diapers, she’s probably out adventuring with her Golden Retriever, Henry.
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