Dr. Doris Rucks. If you are not familiar with her name, you are certainly touched by her work in one way or another. Dr. Rucks had a philosophy of “we just have to keep on trying”. She was incredibly active in the Muskegon Heights community working on literacy, systemic racism, poverty, food inequity and plenty of other social stigmas. Her mane mentioned among today’s movers and shakers in and around the Muskegon area is like speaking of a saint and her legacy continues on with the work of the Coalition for Community Development which she founded in 2005. The work continues although the names change. With Martin Luther King Jr. Day coming up on Monday the 19th, we thought it only fitting to have a visit with the Executive Director Kerri VanderHoff and newly appointed VP of the Board of Directors Marisela Sierra.
Dr. Rucks passed in 2016. The best way to cement a legacy is to see the work passed on down to the generations that follow and while the Coalition for Community Development isn’t one of the loudest groups in our area, it’s not that they don’t have real impact and purposeful meaning. They have Operation Healthy Heights where students learn to grow their own food and the value of proper nutrition in an area considered a “food desert” with no significant grocery store in the community. “Neighbors being Neighbors”. Come out of your house and get to know the people next door and down the block. The importance of community is paramount. Beautification. The City of Friendly People outta reflect that with some sprucing up here and there. Of course….literacy. Dr. Rucks was adamant on the ability for people to read. It’s all being done by the CCD. Mari is newly appointed to the board and is a perfect fit to learn for now and carry on the work. Her passion for community and kids especially earns the nod. The activity is picking up almost instantly.
Monday the 19th…Martin Luther King Jr Day the CCD will be hosting a gathering at Johnny O Harris Park from 12n-2p. Now, I am going to tell you first hand just how awesome this day is. A few years ago, during the “Polar Vortex” a Facebook friend of mine posted they were heading to the park for an adult snow day. Not having grown up here….I wasn’t sure, so I took a spin over that way. I found Dr’s, Lawyers, Reverends and other community members all sliding down the hill as if we were all 9 again. Sure, I thought about it…but I also considered walking back up the hill and while they were doing all the sliding….I was as pleased as punch to just be included. Apparently, I really missed out on something growing up 30 miles away, because innocence was regained that day and all agendas were dropped just to play. It was amazing.
Monday, you’ll have the chance to make that happen too. There will be food from Navarro’s Take Out! Tamales anyone? There will be hot drinks and plenty of things to do. If by chance there’s no snow…hey….it’s been a bit of a crazy winter so check out the books from Read Muskegon or Embrace Books! If there is snow…bring your sled or use one from the little free sled library. Gather. Remember. Celebrate and see just how much it means to be part of something bigger than yourself! The kids have the day off from school. You may have the day off from work. Be where the action is from 12n-2p and take the time to thank those who keep pushing to make our home a better community to be in.
To learn more about the Coalition for Community Development in Muskegon Heights CLICK HERE to visit their website. Find more about the MLK Day event by CLICKING HERE.
