Our Brother's Keeper

10/23/2026

We’re currently running low on several important items and would appreciate any support you’re able to give! 🩵

*Very Urgent Items*
Dish soap
Multi-purpose cleaner
Laundry detergent sheets
Mop bucket solution sheets

*Needed Items*
50 gal trash bags
Popcorn kernels
Popcorn oil
Plastic spoons, forks, and knives
Coffee
Drano drain cleaner

*Special Items*
3 dish drying racks
Gently used microwave
Shower curtain
Outdoor storage container

📦 We’ve updated our Amazon Wishlist to make giving easy—items ship straight to our door: https://a.co/a3nNd9q

🤝 Prefer to donate in person? Drop-offs are always welcome at the shelter!

🔁 Can’t donate? No worries! Sharing this post is a huge

10/12/2026

As we head into the colder months, Our Brother’s Keeper is preparing to open our warming station for those in our community who need a safe place to escape the cold🧣

When temperatures reach 32°F or below, our doors open to those living on the streets. On these cold nights, we offer a warm, safe place to sleep, a hot dinner, a hot shower, and breakfast in the morning.

We can accomodate 7 overnight guests. Space is offered on a first come, first served basis, from 5:00pm to 8:00am the following morning.

As temperatures drop, having a safe place to go can make all the difference in protecting our neighbors from frostbite and other dangers of extreme cold.

🤝 You can help us be there when our neighbors need us most!

Through our Become Your Neighbor’s Keeper program, we invite you to become a monthly or annual donor. Your support helps us continue providing warmth, safety, and a place to turn when the cold becomes dangerous: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/nSBG68K-88WfDMIlJ6ov6w

Together, we can help make sure no one has to face the cold alone.

09/29/2026

A huge thank you to Reslife Church of Big Rapids for choosing Our Brother’s Keeper as the beneficiary of this year’s ResRun!

To everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, donated, or simply showed their support, we’re incredibly grateful. We’re fortunate to have community partners and neighbors who believe in our mission and continue to show up for the people we serve. 🩵

09/28/2026

What a night! ✨

Our first Brother’s Blue Jean Ball welcomed 197 community members and raised $11,457.50 to support Our Brother’s Keeper.

As our first signature fundraising event, the evening was a wonderful example of what happens when people come together for their neighbors experiencing homelessness. From attending and volunteering to donating, sponsoring, contributing, and spreading the word, so many people played a part in making the evening a success.

We are pleased to recognize our table sponsors: Pat Fuller and Fred Frisbie, Erin Carrier Law PLLC, Dave and Laurel Nicol, Mark and Megan Gifford, McCurdy, Wotila, & Porteous, P.C., Indivisible West Central Michigan, Richard and Jennifer Cochran, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Rob and Tracy Ruell.

Thank you to our band sponsors: Dan and Gretchen Spedowske, Erin Carrier Law PLLC, Roger and Tammy Carroll, The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium, Advanced Drain Line Solutions, and Zeilinger Chiropractic, PLC.

We appreciate the businesses, organizations, and individuals who contributed to the event: Preferred Office Machines, The Sugar Daddy's Bakery LLC, Continental Home Center, Three Girls Bakery, Deli and Catering, Stanwood Buffalo Eagles 4360, Angels of Action, Lee's Rapid Wash, Ebels General Store, Big Rapids Theater, Lowe's Home Improvement, John Warner Sculpture, Brian and Carleen Rose, Mayor Fred Guenther, Kevin DeFever, Ed Obert, Lori Zimmerman, Bill Ruppel, and Lori Eckles.

A very special thank you to St. Mary-St. Paul Parish for allowing us to use the Parish Center as our event space. We are so grateful for your generosity and for giving us a place to bring our community together.

Thank you to Ernest Entertainment for providing the music and keeping everyone on the dance floor throughout the night!

Finally, we want to recognize the OBK Fundraising Committee for the countless hours of planning, preparation, and work that went into bringing this event to life. A very special thank you goes to Linda Spedoski, who brought her expertise and experience to the committee. Her time, knowledge, and dedication played a major role in organizing the fundraiser.

Most of all, thank you to everyone who chose to show up for their neighbors experiencing homelessness. The funds raised will help Our Brother’s Keeper continue providing emergency shelter, meals, and our Empowerment Program to individuals and families in our community.

The first Brother’s Blue Jean Ball was one to remember. We’re already looking forward to the next one! 👖🩵✨

09/19/2026

The Brother’s Blue Jean Ball is TONIGHT! 🎉

After months of planning, we’re ready to welcome everyone for a night of steak, music, dancing, and fun at St. Mary-St. Paul Parish.

We’re so excited to spend the evening with the people who make our community so special and celebrate the continued work of Our Brother’s Keeper 🩵

If you’re coming, we’ll see you tonight! And if you're still deciding... there's still time to join us!

🥩 Steak dinner
🎶 Ernest Entertainment
🎟️ Silent auction
🍸 Drinks
👖 Lots of blue jeans

Doors open at 5:00pm. Tickets are $25 at the door while tickets last.

Let’s have a great night and dance for a difference!👖

09/07/2026

Today, we’re taking a moment to recognize and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and contributions of workers in our community and across the country.

At Our Brother’s Keeper, we’re especially grateful for the people who show up every day to serve others, support our guests, keep our shelter running, and make a difference in the lives of those around them. 🩵

We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Labor Day. Thank you to all who work hard and help make our community stronger! 💪

09/03/2026

We’re excited to see the Brother’s Blue Jean Ball featured in the Big Rapids Pioneer!👖

September 19th will be here before we know it, and we’re looking forward to a fun evening with great food, a silent auction, and live music from Ernest Entertainment! 🎶

Thank you to everyone who has already supported the Blue Jean Ball and helped make this event possible.

🎟️ Haven’t gotten your tickets yet? Tickets are available for purchase at Our Brother’s Keeper and The Old Pioneer Store and Emporium, or online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-brothers-blue-jean-ball

We hope to see you there! 🩵

Fundraiser supports shelter, warming station
Click the link in the comments 👇️

08/31/2026

We’re getting closer to September 19th, and we’d love to see you at our very first Brother’s Blue Jean Ball! 🩵

Join us at St. Mary’s Parish Center for a fun evening featuring a delicious steak dinner, silent auction, live music by Ernest Entertainment, good company, and a chance to support Our Brother’s Keeper and the people we serve.

🎟️ $22.50 in advance, $25 at the door, or $10 for general tickets (no dinner)
👖 Blue jeans encouraged!

Haven’t gotten your tickets yet? Now’s the time! Tickets are available for purchase online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-brothers-blue-jean-ball

Grab your friends, put on your favorite blue jeans, and join us for a great night supporting a great cause. ✨

Visit our event page for more details: https://www.facebook.com/share/18PQLh4hy7/

08/28/2026

What a great day! 🚌🩵

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Fill-A-Bus event today at the Big Rapids Farmers' Market and donated to Our Brother’s Keeper. Every item donated will help us care for the individuals and families staying at the shelter.

And a special thank you to Alley Real Estate and Mecosta Osceola Transit Authority (MOTA) for putting this event together! We are so grateful to everyone who helped make today such a success. ✨

🚌 THANK YOU to our amazing community! 🚌

What an incredible day at the MOTA Fill-A-Bus for Our Brother's Keeper!

We are so grateful to EVERYONE who stopped by and donated today. The generosity of our communities never ceases to amaze us, and your support will make a real difference for individuals and families in need right here in our community.

A special THANK YOU to our friends at the Big Rapids Farmers' Market for welcoming us and allowing us to host today’s event. And another big shoutout to Alley Real Estate, our generous business sponsor, for helping make today possible!

Missed us today? No problem! Our Brother’s Keeper accepts and appreciates donations year-round. You can continue supporting their mission through their Amazon Wishlist:

🛒 https://a.co/a3nNd9q

Thank you for showing once again that when our community comes together, we can fill a bus - and make a difference! 💛