Spring Lake Sparkle brings holiday cheer and help to families

The Spring Lake Sparkle is back for the holiday season and will bring holiday cheer by drawing neighbors together to support local families, put food on the table, and put gifts under the tree. 

Lilley Cares, the local nonprofit behind Sparkle, is teaming up with the Salvation Army Grand Haven Corps to raise $10,000 in donations for families in Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, and Grand Haven. Now in its sixth season, Sparkle gives residents and businesses a chance to help through holiday events, donations, and sponsorships.

The partnership started with a conversation last year when Lilley Cares Executive Director Denise Kurdziel met Maj. Penny Mungai at a chamber breakfast. They talked about families struggling to pay for groceries and holiday gifts.

“Our donation helps The Salvation Army provide Christmas assistance and food pantry support, so a family doesn’t have to choose between keeping the lights on and giving their kids a Christmas morning,” Kurdziel says.

The Salvation Army already works with local families and knows their needs. Its team will attend Sparkle events to share how the money raised will help.

This year’s events will center on the Epicurean Village courtyard. The Sparkle Kickoff on Nov. 28 will include lights, singing, dancers, and Santa. Other events include a gingerbread house decorating night, the return of Pancakes with Santa, and a new event, Pancakes with a Mystery Guest.

Residents can also support the effort at the Celebrity Bartender Night on Nov. 5 at Attwood’s. Businesses can become sponsors, with options ranging from $300 to $2,000.

The Lakeshore caught up with Kurdziel to learn how Sparkle got started, what’s planned this year, and how the community can help.

The Lakeshore: How did Spring Lake Sparkle get started, and how has it changed over the past six seasons?

Denise Kurdziel: Sparkle started in 2020 when people needed a reason to get outside and be together, so Lilley Cares set out to light up Spring Lake. It began with lighting up Savidge Street. The next year we added the Kickoff night, and we’ve added events every year since. What started as a grassroots effort to bring hope to the village has grown into a holiday tradition people look forward to all year.

TL: What led you to partner with The Salvation Army this year, and what are you hoping to accomplish together?

DK: The seed was planted last year when I met Maj. Penny Mungai at a chamber breakfast. We talked about the needs in our community and the challenges the Salvation Army was already facing: food insecurity and families without the money for a holiday season. I invited them to host a hot cocoa table at one of our events, and our conversations continued. I’ve lived in this area for 50 years, and I’ve seen how much things have changed. That stayed on my heart.

When our board met in July, I brought forward the idea of a formal partnership, and the board was fully on board. I reached out to Maj. Penny, and they were as excited as we were. Together, our goal is to raise $10,000 for families in Spring Lake, Ferrysburg, and Grand Haven. The Salvation Army knows these families, and every dollar stays right here at home.

TL: How will the money raised help local families? Can you share an example of the difference that support could make?

DK: Our focus is on two things: food and a real holiday for children, with toys and presents under the tree. Many local families are making hard choices right now: gas for the car, groceries, or the rent or mortgage. Too often, the holiday celebration is the first thing to go. Our donation helps the Salvation Army provide Christmas assistance and food pantry support, so a family doesn’t have to choose between keeping the lights on and giving their kids a Christmas morning.

TL: What’s new this year, and what are you most excited for people to experience?

DK: This year we’re bringing back Pancakes with Santa and adding something brand new, Pancakes with a Mystery Guest. Our Celebrity Bartender Night at Attwood’s on Nov. 5 brings familiar faces behind the bar: John Keating, retired Detroit Tigers and Red Wings broadcaster; Windermere House owner Claudia Kerr Bryant; Spring Lake Township Fire Chief John Stalzer; Township Supervisor Jerry Rabideau; and Brad and Alex Ashcraft of Maximum Water Safety. Many of them have deep roots in Spring Lake, and people love seeing them pour for a good cause.

What excites me most is the Kickoff – seeing the kids light up when Santa arrives, singing carols together, and watching the dancers.  It’s one evening where people set their worries aside and simply enjoy being together as a community. A close second is our gingerbread house decorating night. Watching the kids build and decorate their houses, frosting everywhere and big smiles all around, is pure joy. That’s what Sparkle is all about.

TL: How can people and local businesses get involved, and where can they find the full schedule of events?

DK: There are many ways to help. Come to Celebrity Bartender Night on Nov. 5, or join us at our community events throughout the season. At every event, you can donate by scanning our Venmo code, or by cash, credit card, or check payable to Lilley Cares. Every dollar goes toward our $10,000 goal for local families.

Businesses can join us through sponsorship packages from $300 to $2,000, listed on our website. Packages range from recognition on social media and at the kickoff to a table at our events to a treat table right in the line to see Santa, where you’ll meet hundreds of local families. Businesses interested in sponsoring can contact Lauren Davidson at lauren@authenticmgt.com. The full schedule is at springlakesparkle.com and on Facebook at Spring Lake Sparkle.

Photos courtesy of Lilley Cares.