Community Engagement Committee

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA COMMISSION CONFERENCE ROOM 4243 REMEMBRANCE RD. NW. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2026 5:30 PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance 1. Committee members: Jena Wilmers, Nick Erickson, Erin Gregones, Carla Hendon, Roxanne Deschaine, Julie Wilson, Bethany Stover, Nicole DiDonato Discussion Items 1. Approval of Previous Minutes 2. Safety Town Planning - 3. Mayor's 3rd Grade Reading Project - 4. Other Business - Adjournment Next Meeting is March 3 (unless noted otherwise) Page 1 of 5  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES COMMISSION CHAMBERS TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2026 5:30 PM Call Meeting to Order - Record Attendance Committee members: Present - Jena Wilmers, Nick Erickson, Erin Gregones, Roxanne Deschaine, Nicole DiDonato. Absent - Bethany Stover, Carla Hendon, Julie Wilson. Guests - Michael Hyacinthe (Owner of Wimage), Ben Wilcome (Fleet Services Supervisor), Jake Gardner (Deputy Director of Public Works), Kevin Degroot (Walker Fire Marshal), Madelyn Strayer (Wimee Studios), and Brooke Johnston (Zinser Elementary Principal) Discussion Items Approval of Previous Minutes - no minutes to approve Safety Town Planning - CEC met with stakeholders from Walker's Public Works and Fire Department, along with B. Johnston, Principal of Zinser Elementary, who will also act as the program's emcee. B. Wilcome and J. Gardner expressed their intent to help with the program by providing small-scale signage for the Safety Town mini city. CEC will provide a list of signs needed once we confirm the layout. K. Degroot already does classroom visits about fire safety and can scale his teachings to the time provided for Safety Town. Other Business - joined us to introduce the One Country, One Book initiative, a national literacy initiative led by Wimee Studios (created locally in GR), focused on getting high-quality children’s books into the hands of families and classrooms. The program includes a bilingual children’s book, digital and animated read-alouds, simple daily literacy activities, and classroom resources designed to support early reading and family engagement. CEC is considering whether to partner with Wimee for the Mayor's 3rd Grade Reading program, although timing may not align properly. Community Engagement Committee Minutes 1-6-26 Page 1 2 of 2 5  Other Business - Madelyn Strayer, Marketing assistant at Wimee Studios, joined us to introduce the One Country, One Book initiative, a national literacy initiative led by Wimee Studios (created locally in GR), focused on getting high- quality children’s books into the hands of families and classrooms. The program includes a bilingual children’s book, digital and animated read-alouds, simple daily literacy activities, and classroom resources designed to support early reading and family engagement. CEC is considering partnering with Wimee for the Mayor's 3rd Grade Reading Program, but timing may not align. Adjournment - Next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 3 (unless otherwise noted) Community Engagement Committee Minutes 1-6-26 Page 2 3 of 2 5 ABOUT SAFETY TOWN Safety Town is a four-day, hands-on safety education program for children ages 5–8, hosted by the City of Walker’s Community Engagement Committee. Held June 22–25 at Zinser Elementary, the program will teach practical safety skills (fire, bike, pedestrian, bus, weather, pet, water, and emergency response) through interactive, real- world activities. We’re looking for community partners to help make this program possible! CITY OF WALKER CONTACT DETAILS SAFETY For questions, reach out to Nicole DiDonato (616) 690-5332 TOWN Page 4 of 5 ndidonato@walker.city JUNE 22-25, 2026 WHY SPONSOR SPONSORSHIP SPONSOR INFO Direct investment in child safety LEVELS BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION NAME and prevention Visible support for Walker families and education GOLD SPONSOR: $2,500 + Partnership with city services, Includes primary recognition on schools, and community promotional materials, signage PRIMARY CONTACT organizations during the program, and Opportunity to fund scholarships so acknowledgment in city every child can participate communications. EMAIL ADDRESS SILVER SPONSOR: $1,500 Recognition on select materials and group acknowledgments. PHONE MATERIAL SPONSOR: $500 Supports specific safety equipment ADDRESS (t-shirts, instructional books, safety vests) SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR: $250 Provides financial assistance for one PACKAGE or more children to attend. IN-KIND DONATION MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Describe item or service: City of Walker _________________________________ Page 5 of 5 Attn: Community Engagement Committee _________________________________ 4243 Remembrance Rd NW Walker, MI 49534