Local Law Office Partners With TrueNorth to Help Kids and Business During Pandemic
TrueNorth Community Services
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 1, 2021
www.truenorthservices.org
NEWAYGO COUNTY, MI – Dave and Rhonda Byrne are a local couple who are in the business of giving back to their community. Dave is a lawyer and his wife, Rhonda, a social worker. One of her clients, a young mother, had shared with Rhonda her difficulty finding active, indoor activities for her children to attend in the colder winter months. She had wanted to take her kids to the open gym time at NorthPointe gymnastics but wasn’t financially able to do so.
When Rhonda shared this story with Dave, he had an idea. He was aware NorthPointe had been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and mandated closures. He was impressed with how owner, Ellen Gibbie was trying to be creative and resourceful with safe ways to offer classes and programming within the COVID-19 restrictions. As an attorney specializing in small business formation and maintenance, Dave understood their situation, and he and Rhonda quickly hit upon a novel, win-win solution.
“Rhonda and I quickly became excited about the possibility of being able to help those in need in our community during a very difficult time and also help out a local business hit so hard by COVID-19,” said Byrne.
They contacted Mark Kraus, Community Liaison and Development Director at TrueNorth with the idea of providing funding for local children to be able to attend open gym time at NorthPointe. Mark, in turn, contacted Gibbie and even though her business had been hit hard, she was gladly willing to partner with TrueNorth and the Byrne Law Office to provide discounted coupons to TrueNorth to distribute to local kids.
“The children have been impacted so much along with our business,” said Gibbie. “We are excited to have a community member support the children of this area, and our small business as well. To have community support for the families and businesses is so crucial while dealing with such life-changing situations like we have this past year,” she continued.
Because of the gift from Byrne Law Office, TrueNorth will be able to provide 125 vouchers to area kids and their families to attend open gym time at NorthPointe Gymnastics. It is important to emphasize; NorthPointe is following all COVID safety guidelines. For more information on these vouchers, readers should contact Kraus at TrueNorth at (231) 924-0641, ext. 161 or
About TrueNorth Community Services
TrueNorth Community Services is a private, nonprofit organization that builds communities with one mission: we empower people and strengthen the community to inspire hope and build a brighter future. Founded in 1972, TrueNorth envisions a world where all people have the opportunity to create permanent positive change. TrueNorth offers more than 80 programs and services; and has a service focus touching all of Michigan. For more, visit www.truenorthservices.org or call (231) 924-0641.
