Events
You love to eat or drink, right? You love to entertain and share good food with friends? Host a few parties-- or many-- in your home? Then you're right for this challenge! Growing Hope would like you to host a meal, or holiday cookie party, or cocktail hour-- whatever fits your style-- for your friends, and have a merry ol' time.... It's probably something you already do or have been meaning to do. It may be a small gathering of your besties or cocktail hour with colleagues or a big soiree-- it can be as formal or informal as you are. Growing Hope has many wonderful and diverse ways of being involved with our local and regional community! We host several events over the course of a calendar year, including fundraising and awareness events, monthly community-based events, and – new this year! – we’re engaging with our population in a healthy lifestyle and fitness avenue, as well.
For more on how to further engage with Growing Hope, click on the below links:
Special Events
*NEW* Host a party on Growing Hope's behalf!
Monthly (free!) Community Events
Fitness & Healthy Lifestyle Events
Special Events
Hope’s Harvest Our September afternoon garden party fundraiser, Hope’s Harvest, features sustainably-grown, seasonal food from local farms and gardens, prepared and served by favorite local chefs to complement favorite vineyard selections. This wine- and food-tasting delight, now in its seventh year, is a testament to the quality and greatness of Michigan’s farms and a tribute to all of Growing Hope’s supporters. All connoisseurs of good wine, good food, and stellar company are encouraged to attend Hope’s Harvest and celebrate with us.
Save the Date: Make sure we know how to find you for 2012's event. Click here to be added to our ongoing RSVP list and we’ll mail you an invitation when they are printed!
UPDATE: You can now buy Hope's Harvest tickets online! Click here and you'll be guided through the process.
Tour de Fresh In many communities, including Ypsilanti, barriers in access to healthy, fresh food are being overcome by people working towards strong, sustainable food systems. Tour de Fresh highlights these local successes! Community and school gardens, urban micro-farms, local groceries, food co-ops, and Farmers’ Markets are some of the highlights on the tour…and ways our community is creating food production opportunities and healthy food access, while immediately supporting our local economy.
Save the Date: While we haven't settled on a date yet for 2012, we will probably meet at the Downtown Ypsilanti Farmers’ Market and ride (or roll!) from there, ending up at the Growing Hope Center to continue celebrating partnerships in our community!
UPDATE: You can now register for Tour de Fresh online! Click here to save your spot!
*NEW* Host a party on our behalf!
Do you love to eat and drink? Love to entertain and host parties? Then you're perfect for one of Growing Hope's newest challenges!
We would love for you to host a party - as informal or formal as you are, letting your friends know you're hosting a benefit, and simply ask your friends to pay what they would for an evening out on the town. Sound like fun? Click here to read more and sign up!
Monthly Community Events
Growing Hope Center Tour Every month, we offer an intimate tour of the Growing Hope Center, our 1.4-acre urban farm. Come to the Center, learn more about all the opportunities an educational demonstration site offers, and get excited about our potential!
Save the Date: the second Tuesday of every month, with schedule start time changing depending on the season. Check our calendar for specifics and contact our office to schedule a personalized tour.
Community Potluck Each month, we host a Community Potluck dinner to cultivate an inter-connected local community with food and gardening as the centerpiece. These Potlucks encourage conversation and action revolving around sustainable communities, urban farming, and healthy food access. All are invited to share in a meal and discussion with friends and neighbors!
Save the Date: the first Thursday of every month at 6:00pm. Location changes seasonally, with most Potlucks hosted at the Ypsilanti Senior and Community Center (late fall, winter, and spring) and the Growing Hope Center (summer). RSVP here.
Fitness and Healthy Lifestyle Events
** NEW ** this year, Growing Hope is marrying its mission of empowering our community to live healthier lives by creating a casual team environment and inviting you to get to know us – and each other! – in a different way. Let’s hit the streets together for training walks and runs, then take our community spirit to local events! We have several events on the calendar already, but stay tuned for more…and let us know if there are others you would like to see. Super cool athletic merchandise is on the way!
ING NYC Marathon Growing Hope is lucky to have some uber-committed runnin’-and-raisin’ folk in our community who are tackling the commitment of running an entire marathon – 26.2 miles! – to raise funds and awareness for us! Click here to learn more about our five runners, donate, or see how you can become involved. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Hannah Ashmore.
Save the Date: Watch – and listen for! – us on National TV Broadcasts. Or come to NY and cheer us on along the route!
Dexter-Ann Arbor Run Whether it’s the 5k, the 10k, or the half marathon, Growing Hope invites you to become a part of another runnin’-and-raisin’ team. This is not a limited-in-number team, but we are structuring it as a low-key FUNdraiser. Contact the Growing Hope office for more information and we will put you in touch with the Team Captain.
Save the Date: Stay tuned 2012 information and team-building meet’n’greets!
UPDATE: Our fledgling Fitness Team had 8 members run in the races and had a great time!! Want to join us? Tell Hannah!
Big House Big Heart Growing Hope is also creating a team for this fun and fantastic event that ends on the 50-yard line of the Big House! Join us by moving your body for a mile fun run/walk, a 5k, or the 10k. If you’re ready to register, contact Hannah for the specifics. We are also exploring the chance to host a water station, so let us know if you are interested in volunteering for that opportunity!
Save the Date: Stay tuned for next year's information, but contact us if you’re interested in volunteering.
Detroit Free Press Races Again, it’s another race with a variety of options ranging from 5k run/walk, a 5-person relay team (covers the marathon distance), a half marathon, and a full marathon. Whatever distance you prefer, we welcome you onto our team! Contact Hannah for more information.
Save the Date: Want to run with us in 2012? Stay tuned for more information and team-building meet’n’greets!
(NOTE: Growing Hope will cannot currently commit to covering registration costs for these events, so we ask that you handle those transactions. We can, however, create a super motivating environment and welcome you to becoming a Founding Member of our Events Team!)