Helping to bring Christmas to the children of Ionia County!

Holiday Hearts of Ionia County began with a simple desire to support families during a season that can be both joyful and challenging. Through my work with children and families in our community, I have seen firsthand how financial hardship—especially around the holidays—can affect not only basic needs, but also a family’s sense of dignity, security, and belonging. I started Holiday Hearts with the hope of creating something rooted in compassion, respect, and community connection.

What unfolded in our first year exceeded anything I could have imagined. The generosity of Ionia County and the surrounding areas allowed us to serve hundreds of families and reach nearly 1,100 children. This experience affirmed both the need for this work and the responsibility that comes with stewarding community trust, resources, and support.

As we look ahead, Holiday Hearts is entering a period of intentional restructuring and formalizing our organization through the 501(c)(3) nonprofit process. This step is essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability as we continue to serve families in our community. Taking the time to build a strong and compliant foundation will allow Holiday Hearts to grow responsibly and remain focused on its mission.

During this transition, we may pause certain activities, but our commitment to the families we serve remains unwavering. I am deeply grateful to every individual, family, business, and partner who has supported Holiday Hearts—whether through donations, volunteer time, encouragement, or belief in this vision.

Thank you for trusting this work and for standing with us as we take this important step forward. I look forward to continuing this journey together and building a future that reflects the care, integrity, and heart of our community.

With sincere appreciation,
Alyssa Scheffler
Founder, Holiday Hearts of Ionia County