🌱 Special Beer For Ukraine + Minority Maternal Health Resources

Morning, people of Grand Rapids! It's me again, Danielle Fallon, your host of the Grand Rapids Daily.

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First, today's weather:

A passing afternoon shower. High: 67 Low: 55.

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Here are the top three stories today in Grand Rapids:

1. Grand Rapids' Brewery Vivant is concocting a special batch of beer to support Ukrainian relief efforts. The brewery has joined with the international Brew for Ukraine project to support refugees after the unprovoked Russian invasion. The special brew will go on tap on Apr. 28 at the Cherry St. location. (GR|MAG)
2. Strong Beginnings has partnered with Spectrum Health to provide maternal health resources to minority women throughout the Grand Rapids area. The partnership is meant to address the recent data showing that the county's Black babies are 2.5 times more likely to die when compared to white babies. The data also showed that Latinx babies are 25 percent more likely to die. (FOX 17 West Michigan News)
3. The West Grand Neighborhood Association is using a $10,000 grant to reduce gun violence in Grand Rapids. The group is working with the Grand Rapids Police Department to raise awareness about the issue and provide resources to the community on how to prevent firearm misuse. I 750 firearms were recovered in 2021 with more than 200 firearms being reported stolen to the police department. (WOODTV.com)

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Today in Grand Rapids:

• Luncheon At Plainfield Senior Center (12:00 PM)
• FLEX Hour At Walker City Recreation Department (1:15 PM)

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From my notebook:

• The first International Fashion Show was a success at Andrews University. Click to watch the video. (Instagram)
• Grand Rapids Children's Museum members will receive free admission during April when they visit the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and the Air Zoo. Not a member yet? Click here to join. (Facebook)
• Battle Creek Family YMCA will be closed this Sunday, Apr. 17 for Easter. Regular hours will resume on Monday, Apr. 18. (Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all good for today. I'll see you around!

— Danielle Fallon

About me: Danielle Fallon is a senior writer with content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and assists Patch.com with community newsletter curation. Danielle also holds a Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and works part-time as a pediatric speech therapist.