Community Involvement
MLK FREEDOM SCHOOLS
MLK Freedom Schools is making an impact on today's youth; through education and lessons of equality and mindfulness, the kids at MLK Freedom Schools are ready to take on the world. The team here at Berger values their mission of growth and wanted to help! Recently, we stocked up on snacks and received monetary donations that will go straight towards books for the leaders of tomorrow. Learn more about Freedom School's mission by visiting their website below.
EXCLUSIVE CHEVY DEALER FOR LAKER ATHLETICS
Berger Chevrolet, Inc. is proud to announce our official partnership with Grand Valley State University Athletics! Pictured here, Coach Mann, GVSU's Head Men's Basketball Coach, drove off our lot in his brand new 2022 Chevy Silverado! We are excited to support our GVSU community and provide the coaching staff with Chevrolet vehicles and certified service through our new partnership. Anchor Up!
ONBASE WITH GRPD
The Grand Rapids Police Department and Department of Parks and Recreation teamed up to provide a youth baseball training camp, free of charge to kids aged 9-12. Berger was beyond excited to support local youth in finding their passion in a sport while being supported by community members. The GRPD and Dept. of Parks & Rec. are hoping to create long-lasting mentorships with local youth to facilitate positivity in the West Michigan community.
JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL SPONSOR
Berger Chevrolet, Inc. is a proud sponsor of the Spring GR Juneteenth Festival at John Ball Zoo! By teaming up to be a “Plant Champion Partner" with H.O.P.E. Gardens, we can help provide organizations in our community with 150 organic heirloom plants to share with members in our community. This gives children, families, and community members access to fresh herbs and vegetables. Learn more and see details on attending below!
NEW DESTINY PATHWAYS
New Destiny Pathways is a home for women ages 17-21 who are transitioning out of the foster care system. Their mission is "to provide safe, affordable and supportive housing" for these young women, in such a crucial stage of their life. They not only provide housing and support, they also teach key life skills such as budgeting, cooking, and even offer mentorships. New Destiny Pathways provides the tools for the women they house to succeed in their future. You can learn more about New Destiny Pathways here!
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB DRIVE FOR SUCCESS
The Drive for Success program, put in place by the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids, recently launched its inaugural golf outing event to raise money to offer driver’s training, at no cost, to their teen members. We sent a team to hit the links at Scott Lake Country Club to support the mission of the Drive for Success Program as well as be a main sponsor of the event. Each week we also offer employees the chance to contribute portions of their paychecks as a donation to the program. Aside from the driver’s class, students will also receive mentoring, training, help with preparation, and lessons on police procedure and life skills development.
BERGER IS YOUR ONE-STOP-SHOP FOR ALL THINGS AUTOMOTIVE
Berger does more than just selling/leasing vehicles – we’re your one stop shop for all things automotive! From service to parts to collision we’ll get you taken care of. Beyond the automotive amenities we offer, we also put on an annual Car Show for the community. This year is our 23rd annual All GM Show and it is free for spectators. Learn more about what Berger offers the West Michigan community in our segment on Fox 17’s Morning Mix series here.
EV EDUCATION FOR LOCAL YOUTH
It all started with a letter on the desk of Brian Isch, a Sales Consultant at Berger Chevrolet. Our new friend Colin, a local 5th grader, had a school project that led him to Berger to learn about electric vehicles! What better place to seek assistance than West Michigan’s premier dealership Berger Chevrolet! After Brian read his letter, he knew he wanted to help; so, Brian invited Colin to Berger to check out some of our EV options and learn all about what goes into the newest technology inside.
MILLENNIUM PARK STEWARDSHIP DAY CLEAN UP
Helping the planet is a BIG deal to us. That’s why recently some of our team members volunteered in a Kent County Stewardship Day Clean Up. With heavy rain on the forecast, the April showers didn’t stop the Berger team and the Kent County Parks team from picking up trash around Millennium Park. Are you interested in volunteering? Click here to learn more about the vast amount of volunteer opportunities Kent County Parks offers that you could be involved in!
PUBLIC THREAD
Located on the Southwest Side of Grand Rapids, Public Thread is a fashion forward retail store that uses upcycled materials to create merchandise such as bags and backpacks. Since 2016, this Michigan based company has worked to “design unique products that serve people, the planet and support living wage jobs.” The textiles used by Public Thread would otherwise end up in the landfill. Learn more here!
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT SPONSORSHIP
If you know Berger then you know how important community is to us. This year, we decided to sponsor the City of Walker's National Night Out put on by the Walker City Police Department and Feyen Zylstra. The event focuses on community camaraderie and keeping our communities safe, so you know we were more than happy to be involved! From bounce houses to craft stations and snow cones, there is no shortage of fun to be had!
HOPSCOTCH
Hopscotch has made Grand Rapids its home for the past 15 years, and in 2017, Mark and Emily took over to create a unique, locally crafted toy store. They specialize in organic, locally-made, and sustainable educational toys and products. Hopscotch offers shipping nation wide and is a go-to Christmas shopping location. Shop their website or store front on Cherry St., Grand Rapids. Watch their segment on Fox17 Morning Mix here!
WOMEN AT RISK (WAR)
Women at Risk (WAR) is a charitable organization created to protect those at risk of abuse, trafficking, exploitation, and more. Berger is proud to spread awareness to this important cause. At their physical location in Wyoming, Michigan, they sell handcrafted items made by at-risk and rescued men and women from around the world. Watch their segment on Fox17 Morning Mix here!
MAGGIE'S BE CAFE
At Maggie's Be Cafe in Hudsonville, it's not just about the coffee. Maggie's Be Cafe is a nonprofit that employs individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by creating an uplifting and positive work place. "We curate a workplace environment that bridges the gap between individuals with disabilities and those without, because we are more alike than we are different." - What an amazing mission! You can watch their segment on Fox17 Morning Mix here!
BRODY'S BE CAFE
Brody's Be employs special needs adults to give an opportunity to those who struggle to find it. They are built upon the foundation of inclusivity, kindness, and opportunity. When you choose to get your morning coffee from Brody's Be, you can leave confident that you're a part of a movement - and helping a great cause. You can watch their segment on Fox 17 Morning Mix here!
THE 3RD CHAIR
3rd Chair is a collective bunch of 17 counselors who specialize in counseling young adults. They have devoted their lives to helping those who might not have the support they need. This is their mission and they embrace it. 3rdchair is here because a supportive community for young adults needed to exist. They believe that the young adults of Grand Rapids are worth it. To learn more, watch their segment on Fox17 Morning Mix here!
SPROPRIETARY GRAND RAPIDS
Intending to limit the environmental impact of packaging, a local family opened Proprietary, just last year amid the pandemic. The store offers a wide variety of bulk dry goods, as well as environmentally friendly products, all while encouraging customers to bring their own containers to be a piece of waste reduction in our community. Check out Proprietary's segment on FOX17 here!
SOUTH EAST MARKET
The South East Market's mission is to increase access to healthy, affordable and culturally-accepted food for our community through a sustainable and equitable lens. Owners Alita and Khara work to bring a more accessible healthy food experience to our Grand Rapids neighborhoods! Watch the South East Market segment on FOX17 here!
BERGER IS A GREEN DEALER
Here at Berger, we are proud to have been awarded Green Dealer 5 years in a row! What does it mean to be a Green Dealer you ask? Keep reading and we'll tell you! This award is given to only 250 dealerships out of 700 General Motors Dealerships nationwide and Berger has been one of them since 2017!