Published: Oct. 21, 2016
In July, the Howser and Kimmer families announced the generous gift of a new sculpture to be built at AL!VE, Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital’s experience-based health park in Charlotte, Mich. The rainbow sculpture, INSPIRE, was motivated by an experience Lee Howser had many years ago. Another rainbow sculpture captivated him and stirred memories of the times he had started over and transformed his life into something new and different and, often for the better.
“I never forgot that moment and that sculpture,” Lee said. “The pivotal and transformational role that AL!VE plays in our community and in people’s lives made me believe this was the perfect place to create a similar inspirational piece of artwork.”
Over the last several months Lee has shared some of those transformational stories with the Charlotte community, such as the perseverance of Gladys Deland and her daughter, Sharon; the motivation and community discovered at AL!VE by Liz Hollopter; and the good health and friends gained by Andy and Gennesis Boyd.
The Howsers, Kimmers and HGB are pleased to announce INSPIRE will soon be constructed in PRESERVE, south of the main parking lot at AL!VE. The dedication ceremony is planned for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, and community members are welcome. There will be a brief ceremony at 5:45 p.m. when HGB and AL!VE team members thank the Howsers for their gift. Also in attendance will be some of those community members whose inspirational stories were shared, along with representatives of Alro Steel, which generously donated the steel and other materials for the sculpture.
Alro Steel, a privately held company that has been in operation since 1948, prides itself on treating employees like family and being community-oriented. When asked to be part of the INSPIRE project they were eager to participate.
“The foundation of our culture and mission statement is people,” said David Jastrzenski, the general manager at Charlotte’s Alro Steel location. “It is important to us to be part of our community and to give back, especially when we can help bring people together and create benefit for the people and employees living here.”
PRESERVE is one of several spaces at AL!VE that inspire action such as walking on the outdoor trail, gardening, relaxing on a memorial bench, or learning about the natural wildlife habitat. INSPIRE will be the newest addition and will light up the space each evening. Mark your calendar for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 27, at AL!VE to be part of the dedication and enjoy hot cider and doughnuts.
“INSPIRE will help capture the spirt of those new beginnings that lead us to evolve and become better versions of ourselves,” said Patrick Sustrich, AL!VE executive director. “We are so grateful to the Howser and Kimmer families, as well as Alro Steel and Sommer Building Company for making this perfect addition to PRESERVE a reality.”
AL!VE is an experience-based, destination health park that was opened in November 2011 by Hayes Green Beach Memorial Hospital. It is located at 800 W. Lawrence Ave., in Charlotte, Mich. All mid-Michigan residents and visitors are welcome at AL!VE – there are no entry fees or membership requirements. Learn more at myalive.com or call 517.541.5800.