Holland

Located on the shores of little Lake Macatawa, just off the coast of expansive Lake Michigan, Holland is the epicenter of West Michigan’s Dutch history and culture. Not surprisingly, then, the city is perhaps best known for its annual Tulip Time Festival in May. But there’s much more to the Tulip City than, well, tulips. The city’s downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts as much retail activity as any urban core in the region. The community is flush with wildly popular waterfront beaches like Tunnel Park and Holland State Park. And Hope College lends the clean, conservative town a bit of youthful spirit.

The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Department recommends visits to parks that regularly experience lower attendance, such as Connor Bayou.

How to practice safe distancing while enjoying Ottawa County Parks

The Ottawa County parks system is open to visitors wanting to maintain their physical stamina and emotional well-being during the COVID-19 crisis. Here are some ways to enjoy the county's 28 parks while maintaining safe social distancing.

Emergency housing programs ‘saved my family,’ mom says

Katrina Karlsons feels fortunate that her family is able to follow Gov. Whitmer's “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. After a January eviction, two nonprofits helped the family move out of homelessness.

Q&A: How Michigan Works is helping job seekers during COVID-19 crisis

Brittany Lenertz, the talent solutions director with West Michigan Works!, answers questions about how to find employment as Gov. Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe order has resulted in the temporary closure of many businesses.

Love In Action staff sort food donations.
Emergency grants help nonprofits get more food, services to those in need

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, nearly $120,000 in emergency grants were given to Ottawa County nonprofits in the last week to provide more food and services to those in need. 

Community Kitchen Assistant Rachel Nolan holds hot meals boxed and ready to go home with those who come to the soup kitchen daily.
Community Kitchen mission continues with boxed meal pickup

The COVID-19 crisis has forced The Community Kitchen to switch to boxed meals, but it hasn’t shut down the operation that feeds hundreds of people.

Lakeshore nonprofits make it safe and easy to help from home

If you can pack a box, you can help. Community Action House’s #StayHomeFightHunger campaign is asking people to help those in need by donating a box of food. 

‘Big thinker’ Patrick Moran works to cultivate ‘beautiful community’ for all

Patrick Moran, who’s been in a leadership role at United Way since 2006, has played a critical role in helping promote new avenues of collaboration between government and nonprofit organizations in Ottawa and Allegan counties, as well as insisting on data-driven studies and solutions to some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

Women of Color GIVE embraces inclusive philanthropy model

A trio launches Women of Color GIVE, a philanthropy collective to change the charitable giving landscape by adding more diverse voices to the formal philanthropy narrative.

Ottawa county nonprofits launch the web page careottawacounty.com to connect people with resources and ways to help those impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
United Way offers opportunities to help during coronavirus crisis

Do you need help or want to help? The Greater Ottawa County United Way has partnered with other nonprofits to launch a website to answer your questions.

Quincy Byrd stands with his wife, Sara and children Daisy (left), Holly and Ethan. (Courtesy photo)
From homeless to helping: Holland leader shares his Habitat story

Holland City Council member Quincy Bryd understands the affordable housing crisis better than most. A decade ago, his family was facing homelessness after he lost his job. 

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