Walter Christophersen

IBEW Local 275

Goal of $500 - click here to support Walter!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Beards for Books is a great way for me to help support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the United Way of the Lakeshore. Sacrificing my beard to help improve early childhood literacy in my community is the least I can do. What an amazing cause to support!

Jason Finch

Plumbers, Fitters, and Service Trades Local 174

Goal of $1,000 - click here to support Jason!

I am raising funds for kids in Newaygo County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

DJ Hilson 

Muskegon County Prosecutor 

Goal of $2,500 - click here to support DJ!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

This is one of my favorite fundraisers. It gives me an excuse to grow a beard, but more importantly, I know that the money we raise has a huge impact on the kids of Muskegon County. Learning to read is a powerful skill and I still remember the joy of reading to my kids when they were real little.

Rich Houtteman

Consumers Energy

Goal of $1,000 - click here to support Rich!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

I think its important to do what we can to make our community be the best it can be. Literacy must be a skill we all possess for success in our lives and society.

Ken Johnson

Mayor of the City of Muskegon, LPL Financial

Goal of $2,000 - click here to support Ken!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Don Kalisz

Kindred Marketing

Goal of $1,500 - click here to support Don!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Bryan Lambert

The Lambert Family Agency - Brightway Insurance

Goal of $1,000 - click here to support Bryan!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

I believe that fostering literacy at a young age lays the foundation for a child's intellectual growth and future success. The Imagination Library not only provides access to books but also cultivates imagination and cognitive development, instilling a lifelong love for learning in the hearts of young minds.

J.J. Lewis

United Way of the Lakeshore

Goal of $1,000 - click here to support J.J.!

I am raising funds for kids across the Lakeshore!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Gary Nelund

Mayor of Norton Shores | Gary Nelund State Farm

Goal of $2,500 - click here to support Gary!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has delivered thousands of books to children in Muskegon County. I am growing a beard again this year to make sure this value literacy program continues to provide for our children.

Michael Ramsey

Trinity Health

Goal of $1,000 - click here to support Michael!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

The Beard for Books Challenge is a great way to build awareness around Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and the great opportunity we have along the Lakeshore to get involved with setting up our children for success. This great fundraising event allows everyone to give any amount and see awesome impact!

Jack Russell

Rolar Productions

Goal of $2,500 - click here to support Jack!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Bruce Walters

Gerber Life Insurance

Goal of $5,000 - click here to support Bruce!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon and Newaygo Counties!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Dolly Parton is an inspiration to me and the way she gives back and builds communities makes me want to be a better person. I am participating again this year to promote not just literacy but philanthropy: an active effort to promote human welfare. Let's work together to make this world a better place!

Joe Zappacosta

Hackley Public Library

Goal of $200 - click here to support Joe!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Roger Morgenstern

Retiree - Consumers Energy

Goal of $500 - click here to support Roger!

I am raising funds for kids across the Lakeshore!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through United Way of the Lakeshore is helping raise literacy rates in all our communities and having a positive impact on parenting. I was pleased that my siblings, through a collective holiday gift a number of years ago in honor of our parents, were among the first donors to this wonderful program when it launched! This is such a great program, equipping our community with the age-appropriate books they need to read to their child daily and ensure their child is kindergarten-ready! Join me with your gift today and thank you for your support.

Andrew Zahrt

Family Financial Credit Union

Goal of $500 - click here to support Andrew!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

We started receiving books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library when our first kid was born in November 2021. Receiving books that are diverse, educational, and fun every month is a huge boost to our kids' learning plan and their excitement about reading.

Ron Suszek

Muskegon Area District Library

Goal of $1,500 - click here to support Ron!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Jon Covington

Goal of $2,500 - click here to support Jon!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Reading is not only linked to every aspect of life, it also helps to convince the imagination of the reader that anything is possible regardless of one’s environment. That’s what reading did for me. Participating in the Beards for Books Challenge is personal!

Jonathan Seyferth

City of Muskegon

Goal of $1,250 - click here to support Jonathan!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Beards for Books Challenge?

Dom Bunker

United Way of the Lakeshore

Goal of $750 - click here to support Dom!

I am raising funds for kids across the Lakeshore!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Challenge?

Last year, an amazing woman with GHSP put her hair on the line so she too could participate in supporting our kiddos in the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program. All eight of my nieces and nephews have been a part of this program. Although some have graduated, we still bond over reading and shopping for books. This program helped spark their imaginations! If dyeing my hair a funky color on the line to support the over 7,000 kids in this program, then it's a no-brainer to me! 

Blake Prewitt

Newaygo County RESA

Goal of $1,250 - click here to support Blake!

I am raising funds for kids in Newaygo County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Challenge?

By participating in the United Way's 'Beards of Books' fundraiser for the Dolly Parton Library, I'm supporting early childhood literacy and educational equity. Every child deserves access to books and the opportunity to develop a love for reading from a young age. Through this initiative, I'm helping to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children in our community, paving the way for brighter futures and a more literate society.

Chauncy Williams

Muskegon Public Schools

Goal of $1,000 - click here to support Chauncy!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Challenge?

I am continuously exploring creative avenues to contribute to my community, especially in promoting reading to inspire innovation, enhance career readiness, and advance competency-based education in Muskegon Public Schools and Muskegon County. A unique opportunity has arisen for me to support early literacy by putting my beard on the line, aiming to raise philanthropic funds for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library through United Way of the Lakeshore! This impactful program provides our community with age-appropriate resources (books), fostering daily reading habits and ensuring children are well-prepared for kindergarten. Join me in this endeavor with your generous gift today!

Robert Medendorp

Muskegon County Airport

Goal of $1,000 - click here to support Robert!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Challenge?

Reading is where it all begins! And it’s important to me that all children have access to these resources.

Andrew Cutler

Muskegon Brake & Tire

Goal of $500 - click here to support Andrew!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Challenge?

I have derived so much joy from reading for pleasure and learned so much by reading for information. I want to share that love of the written word.

Steve Keglovitz

United Way of the Lakeshore

Goal of $750 - click here to support Steve!

I am raising funds for kids in Lake, Muskegon & Oceana Counties!

Haley Constine

National Nail

Goal of $250 - click here to support Haley!

I am raising funds for kids in Muskegon County!

Why is it important for you to participate in the Challenge?

I don’t always have the time I’d like to invest to give back to our community, but I LOVE changing my hair! What a great combo, to raise money for this wonderful program supporting kids’ literacy, and surprise everyone with my next hair change.