By Kathy DeMott
What started as a passion to help others by performing random acts of kindness in the community – making gift bags for children in the hospital and others in need – led Vicksburg residents Eric and Shannon Myers to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.
It didn’t stop there.
Shannon began volunteering at the Mission. As she got to know the men, women and children impacted by homelessness, she felt called to do more. In 2013, Shannon started “Kindness Acts 20.35”. The name is based on a Bible verse, Acts, chapter 20, verse 35: “It is better to give than to receive”. In 2016, Eric and Shannon were married. In 2019, an organization called “Kindness Acts 20.35”, KA for short, was officially registered with the IRS as a 501c3 non-profit.
KA continues to expand its network with area churches and schools to collect summer and winter gear, food, and back -to-school items. First Reformed Church in Portage provides a warehouse of beds, furniture, and large household items to help former homeless people as they find housing. KA has also furnished three transitional homes for those recovering from addiction and homelessness.
KA hosts weekly Bible studies and small groups to mentor and build relationships with the men, women and children at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. Eric explains, “Our mission has been to create, facilitate and administer a Christian discipleship program for homeless adults and children. Our goal is to encourage and empower and never to enable. Our hearts are focused on showing the true love of Jesus to others.”
Shannon adds, “One of our favorite things we do is host a summer camp for the children who reside at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. We also invite local kids in need. Local youth pastors share encouraging messages and we have small-group time.” The children enjoy outdoor activities such as canoeing, swimming, crafts and games. KA will host an event on Friday June 21 from 1-5 p.m. for homeless families, and this year’s KA Kids Camp will be held August 5-8. Both events will be at the Indian Lake Nazarene Camp.
They also hold quarterly events for children in need which include a variety of events such as hayrides, sledding at Echo Valley, Growlers baseball games, family picnics and outings to create meaningful memories.
In 2019, the Myers’ hosted a pastor from Malawi, Africa who asked them to come to Malawi and replicate the KA Kids Camp for the orphans he serves. Initially, that seemed an overwhelming request but now, in partnership with Total Community Transformers in Malawi, Kindness Acts brings the KA Kids Camp experience to Africa. From this partnership, a bigger vision has grown. For the first few years, KA sponsored the camp events in Malawi.
But then, in April 2023, Eric and Shannon led a mission trip to Malawi to host camp for 50 orphaned children. That trip marked them and changed their hearts forever. As they considered how they could help the children there, the pastor shared that he had a desire to build a facility to host camp events. On their return home, Eric and Shannon began networking to raise funds to start construction.
Radiant Church in Kalamazoo came beside KA and sponsored the first phase of construction. Shortly after that, KA broke ground and currently has six partially finished cabins which can house 80 children. The next phase of construction is for a large conference center and additional meeting spaces. KA has raised $360,000 of the $500,000 needed to complete the new facility.
“Life is very full, and it is often hard to find time to help others but the need is so great,” says Shannon. “I always feel better and walk away knowing I made an impact, but I also have been impacted. It is an honor and privilege to serve others… especially children. There is nothing more fulfilling than living with purpose and helping others.”
Kindness Acts 20.35 is looking for those who would like to partner with them by volunteering locally or donating to Kindness Acts 20.35 to support the Malawi camp. To learn more about KA, visit kindnessacts2035.com or email kindnessacts2035@gmail.com.
