Michele DeSelms

Grand Rapids

News Anchor at WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids, MI)

Journalist @IndianaUniv Alum

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Articles

Chef’s Specialty event raises money for nonprofit

Oct 3, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The 9th annual Chef’s Specialty event is set for next week, raising money for Meals on Wheels Western Michigan. Local chefs went head-to-head to create original recipes. The top three will serve their dishes at the Oct. 11 event, which will also honor local community leader George Aquino. Chef’s Specialty runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the High Five GR at 19 La Grave Ave. SE in Grand Rapids.
Senior PGA Championship seeks volunteers

Sep 28, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship returns to Benton Harbor next spring, and more than 1,200 volunteers are needed to make sure things go smoothly. The tournament takes place at Harbor Shores from May 22 to May 26, 2024. Volunteers are needed to manage the scoreboard, serve concessions and assist with golfers inside the ropes, among other duties.
Annual gala to support Mel Trotter Ministries

Sep 27, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Mel Trotter Ministries’ annual Season of Hope gala is a night of awareness, support and conversation about helping people who are homeless in Grand Rapids. The event focuses on the mission of Mel Trotter and the services the nonprofit provides. This year, Ashley Ward, founder and CEO of W Talent Solutions, will serve as keynote speaker. Season of Hope is scheduled for Oct. 5 at the JW Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.
Broadway singer stars in West Michigan Symphony tribute to Aretha Franklin

Sep 26, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — The West Michigan Symphony is paying tribute to the “queen of soul” with a special concert this week, and it is bringing in a special guest to perform some of Aretha Franklin’s greatest hits. Capathia Jenkins has starred on Broadway and television, and has toured the country performing a variety of shows with orchestras. She said singing Franklin’s songs is an honor.
Kids’ Food Basket aims to decorate 200K bags for kids

Sep 25, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A Grand Rapids nonprofit that works to feed children is getting closer to its goal of decorating 200,000 paper bags this month — but it still needs your help. Thursday is Brown Bag Decorating Day at Kids’ Food Basket’s headquarters in Grand Rapids. From 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the community is invited to decorate bags for the nonprofit’s signature sack supper program. Volunteers can also drop off decorated bags at any Kids’ Food Basket location.
Holland looks ahead to festive Parade of Lights

Sep 22, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Even though fall is just starting, Downtown Holland is looking ahead to the holidays. Applications are open for the 2023 Parade of Lights, and spots are already filling up quickly. The parade will feature more than 75 floats, trucks and marching bands, all decorated with festive lights. “It’s really a community-focused parade,” said Kara de Alvare, the marketing director for Downtown Holland.
Music venue works to draw national artists to GR with new series

Sep 21, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Midtown, a music venue in downtown Grand Rapids, is working to bring national artists to West Michigan with its new concert series. For the Fresh Produce series, Midtown has teamed up with the Greater Michigan Chapter of the National Black MBA Association. Their goal was to bring national artists who regularly perform in Detroit to West Michigan. You can expect the best jazz, blues, folk and world music performers to take the stage in Grand Rapids.
‘Be Nice’ initiative aims to educate on mental health

Sep 18, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan’s ‘Be Nice.’ program started as a simple message, but it has turned into a movement. The four-step action plan — notice, invite, challenge and empower — encourages people to provide help when they see someone hurting. The plan has been adopted by the MHSAA and 30,000 middle and high school coaches throughout the state have taken the training, passing it on to their players.
Hope Network offering free virtual crisis training

Sep 15, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and Hope Network is offering free virtual training to anyone who wants to learn how to help someone in crisis. The Zero Suicide Initiative provides people with information about how to talk to someone who is thinking about suicide, as well as resources for getting treatment. According to Hope Network, the trainings are ideal for people who are in close contact with the public, like hairstylists, pastors and educators.
Prepare for weather-related disasters in advance, Red Cross says

Sep 14, 2023 | woodtv.com | Michele DeSelms

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — September is National Preparedness Month, and the American Red Cross is urging everyone to take this time to make a plan so they are ready for weather-related disasters. The Red Cross responds to nearly twice as many large disasters in the United States as a decade ago. The organization has launched a plan to adapt and respond to climate-driven disasters and encourage families to prepare for risks like severe storms and flooding in Michigan.