Dr. Dennis is a big believer in supporting the community. Because of that she’s started a “Charity of the Month.” Each month, Dr. Dennis chooses a different local charity to help support. A donation of $25 per new patient referral is given to the charity. The practice then matches the donation up to $1,500!
Our July Charity of the month is Hope 4 Wildlife. For over 20 years, Hope 4 Wildlife in Mattawan, Michigan, has been a lifeline for injured, orphaned, and displaced wildlife in the community. Dedicated to the rehabilitation of a variety of animals—ranging from squirrels and foxes to bobcats, raccoons, rabbits, and birds—this non-profit organization provides compassionate care, ensuring that each creature receives the attention it needs to heal and thrive. Their unwavering commitment to wildlife conservation and the education of the public has made them an important resource in the region, offering not only healing but hope for a more harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Previous 2025 Charities
Our June Charity of the Month is the Portage Community Center. Their mission statement is “Creating a better community by helping individuals and families in need.” They are the only human services organization in Portage. Portage Community Center helps local residents with both youth programs as well as emergency assistance for housing, food, clothing, utilities, housing, transportation, personal care, and holiday programs. Their youth programs includes after school and summer programs. They host events throughout the year to help with the needs of the community with the goal of making life better for those in need.
Our May charity of the month is True Vine Equestrian Center. They Provide therapeutic horseback riding, equine companionship, and professionally designed riding programs for physical, personal, and spiritual growth. Their mission statement says, “We are an equestrian center dedicated to pleasing God, making disciples, and sharing Christ through horse riding lessons, clinics, volunteering, fellowship.”
You can learn more about them here.
Our April charity of the month was Kalamazoo Public Safety – Pastors on Patrol. This fantastic program, formed locally 10 years ago, has a focus of developing partnerships between local ministers and public safety officers to ease tension and build trust within the community. For more information about Pastors on Patrol, go to Community Affairs Kalamazoo Public Safety.
Our March charity of the month was Wild Whiskers. They are a 501C3, non-profit wildlife rehabilitation & domestic animal rescue service. They work hard to help any animal, whether domestic or wild. They’ve helped abused and neglected pets, turtles run over by cars, as well as squirrels attacked by cats. If an animal needs help, they’ll do their best to help them.
Our February charity of the month was the Animal Rescue Project. They are a no-kill shelter founded in 2010. Their adoption center is located on the south side of Kalamazoo at 219 Peekstok. Every year they have rescued and found responsible homes for up to 750 homeless dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies who might otherwise perish in public pound facilities.
Our January charity of the month was Twelve Baskets Food Pantry. Their mission statement says, “Our mission is to lead the fight against hunger in our community by bridging the gap between need and excess while restoring hope, dignity, and self-respect.” They serve Portage, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg, Three Rivers and surrounding communities.
Image Courtesy of Twelve Baskets Food Pantry
Previous 2024 Charities
December’s charity of the month was Kalamazoo-Calhoun Special Olympics. The mission of Special Olympics Michigan is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Competitions take place at local, regional, state, national, and world levels. At these competitions, athletes are placed into divisions based on age, gender, and ability. Donations will go to our local group to help those with disabilities from this area get to experience sports and competition in a positive and fair environment.
November’s charity of the month was the SPCA. They are a no-kill shelter dedicated to providing animals with a loving home. Their adoption fees help cover some of the medical care for these lovely animals, but they do need donations in order to continue to help these precious animals.
During the fall our charity was Girls on the Run. Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others.
Girls on the run
During the summer our charity was Wild Whiskers. They are a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center, as well as exotic animal rescue center. Many of the animals they take in have either experienced abuse or abandonment. Wild Whiskers helps them heal both physically and emotionally, giving them another chance at a joyful life.
Wild Whiskers: July’s Charity of the Month
Our April charity of the month was Loaves and Fishes. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes began in 1982 through the collaborative efforts of several downtown churches and human service minded individuals. These congregations and individuals recognized that their neighbors were struggling to put food on the table and believed the community should have a coordinated approach to addressing this need.
Loaves and Fishes: April’s Charity of the Month