Ionia Sentinel-Standard / Rockin’ Ionia to host winter Family Fun Day event

IONIA — What began as a way to spread kindness around Ionia has become something bigger for one local organization.

After the spread of positivity led to a number of summer events, Rockin’ Ionia is now gearing up for its first winter event — with the goal of distributing winter gear to those who need it.

Rockin’ Ionia is hosting a Family Fun Day from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, at the Ionia Moose Lodge, 869 E. Lincoln Ave.

Part of the nationwide Kindness Rocks Project, Rockin’ Ionia spreads kindness and positivity around Ionia. It has evolved into providing events for area children and their families.

“For three years now, we’ve done something that’s big,” said organizer Polly Misner.

This marks the first time Rockin’ Ionia has done a winter event, Misner said. Over the summer, Rockin’ Ionia provided hygiene products and kits to about 300 children, Misner said.

“It’s about having fun,” Misner said. “We interact with them and they have a good time.”

At the Jan. 2 event, Rockin’ Ionia is giving away blankets, packages of socks and winter clothing, along with some fun, Misner said.

“We always try to make it like a party for them,” she said.

There will be cookie decorating, games, face painting and a crafts table by Matthews House Christian Thrift Shop.

“It’s basically a fun day for the kids,” Misner said.

The goal for the event is help keep kids warm for the winter, Misner said, adding Rockin’ Ionia hopes to meet the needs of the community.

Misner said what started as people putting rocks around town with kind words on them has become something bigger. Rockin’ Ionia members have taken food baskets to families and have hosted parties in the past to help meet the needs of the community.

“We kind of took it a step further with our group,” Misner said. “The people we have involved are community-oriented and want to help the community.”

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