“Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery, it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings.” – Nelson Mandela
In the words of Orrin Woodward, “Life Leadership is not just a business with a purpose, it’s a purpose with a business” – and that purpose is to set people free. The Life on Life Initiative was created specifically to help those who have dire needs – those who are illiterate, hungry, lonely, poverty-stricken, physically or mentally ill, elderly and homeless – those people who need help functioning in society. It’s inspiring when teams of people are united in common purpose because that’s when real influence happens. In fact, it’s precisely what makes Life Leadership so special, it’s a community of people who care about others.
“Participating in a Life on Life event is a real life example of a community helping communities.” – Mike Gorske (Life Leadership Member)
Weeks of preparation went into a recent Life on Life Initiative that took place in Michigan on November 21st, 2015 at Midland Baptist Church. 88 Life Leadership Members showed up to participate, despite having to drive through a massive snow storm that morning.
Life Leadership’s mantra has always been “Have Fun, Make Money and Make a Difference,” and the have fun part should never be dismissed when organizing a Life on Life event! In fact, Brian and Sherry Powers, leaders of the Musketeers organization, decided to create the theme of their event (feeding the hungry) around a corn hole tournament – with canned goods being the entry fee. This creative idea led to undeniable excitement across their teams where people drove several hours and even across several states to attend.
The Musketeers decided on two programs to support for their Life on Life Initiative. Life Member, Brandi DesMarteaux, toured the Midland County Emergency Food Pantry (EFPN) and noticed how much good they were doing for the community and were the primary receivers of the donated food. While EFPN offers several programs to those in need, the focus was on donating enough food to provide for the Backpack Buddies Program – a program that provides a weekend backpack of nutritional food to elementary school children who receive free or reduced lunch in Midland County schools. Every Friday, the pantry provides a backpack filled with food for these children and on Mondays the backpacks are returned.
“Peanut Butter was a requested item for the backpacks. Bill Yontz (Life Member) heard this and promptly went to his local Meijer Store and asked if a bulk purchase of Peanut Butter was made could Meijer’s support that? They offered to sell a case of peanut butter for $18. Team members chipped in and were able to buy 20 cases!! That is 240 jars!!! (We ended up with 427 jars total by the end of the event!).” – Kristy Bermejo (Life Leadership Member)
The other local organization that received food donations was Spring of Life Community Church in Mayville, Michigan. The church has a program called “Welcome Home Ministries” that provides a meal and food to take home for those in need every third Saturday of the month.
As a result of this Life on Life Initiative, $1,500 worth of donated non-perishable food items were given to these organizations! Both programs, Midland County Emergency Food Pantry and Life Community Church, were so grateful for the donations.
Check out what some of the attendees had to say about the event:
“The corn hole tournament was a lot of fun and it was great for our Musketeer community to be together, kids and all. Everyone I talked to had a great time and everyone was grateful to be helping the community.” – Kristy Bermejo (Life Leadership Member)
“The Life on Life Initiative gives me a chance to go beyond myself and help out others, because I have been there myself.” – Mark Zimmerman (Life Leadership Member)
“I like that my entire family and I can participate and make a difference in my community.” – Kyah DesMarteaux (“Life Leadership kid”)
“The Life on Life Initiative is a powerful and emotional thing to be a part of!!” – Sherrie Clark (Life Leadership Member)
“The Life on Life initiative has affected me because I forget how privileged we really are. Working with people who are underpriveleged is a great feeling and reminds me of how good we really have it.” – Debbie Brushaber (Life Leadership Member)
“It is so great seeing families coming together, having fun and supporting a good cause.” – Jason and Kathy Tingley (Life Leadership Members)
“To serve while being surrounded by your friends and teammates is truly a blessing.” – Jennifer Samuelson (Life Leadership Member)
Check out this highlight video featuring the food drive and corn hole tournament:
“The uniqueness of each Life on Life event is what stands out. It doesn’t have to be the same. You can mow someone’s lawn or you can get together and donate food or raise money for a food bank. That’s what I love about the Life on Life initiative.” – Bill and Keisha Lewis (Life Leadership Founders)
The constant outpour of love and kindness from Life Leadership Members for the Life on Life Initiative is evidence of how much people care; the number of people being affected proves that there is so much need in the world and people who can help! On behalf of Life Leadership, thank you to all of the Musketeers and guests who planned, donated and drove through a snowstorm in order to participate. Your contribution is truly making a difference!
If you were involved in this Life on Life Initiative or were touched by this story, please be sure to share your comments below!
Life Leadership: Setting People Free
Lloyd Weiler says
Awesome commitment! Love the way you guys serve!!
Christine Geer says
It was a true blessing to be able to join my team for this event! The drive from Pennsylvania was more than worth a few hours of my time. And the blessings the Musketeers gave and received that day is worth more than any amount of money or time.
Mike Lewis says
Absolutely amazing!
Jessica Lewis says
So grateful to be a part of Life Leadership and a Muskateer! It was fun coming together as a family and serving with our team. It raised awareness in our household and encouraged thought provoking discussions with our children. Life Leadership truly is life changing in more ways than one!
Mark Zimmerman says
Was great to be there and serve
Andrea Beson says
It was such and great cause and an honor to be a part of. Life Leadership has changed my life forever!
Cindy Draves says
What an Awesome Team!!! Love the video. This team is changing peoples lives.I proud to be apart of the Musketeers!!!
BP says
We are so blessed to have a foundation of Leadership, a Team of people who care, a company Life Leadership, and most importantly, a GOD who has given us the courage and wisdom to serve others!!
Edwin says
This is awesome guys!! It truly is uplifting to read about folks who still care and prove that with their actions 🙂
Sherrie Clark says
It is so Wonderful to be a part of helping others! The greatest gifts in life are free and GIVING to others is one of those unforeseen and amazing feelings that only God knows and sees…Thank You Life Leadership for a wonderful day!
See you at the Top of this amazing journey!
Pat says
Congrats for your service. Great job!!
Brandon Perry says
You guys are amazing servants. Love seeing all these great examples of servant hearts, like that of our Lord Jesus. Keep leading the way Muskateer team!
Dennis Squires says
It is amazing to be a part of such a caring organization, and to be on the receiving end of the generosity only multiples it! We brought a truckload of food back to our church, and it will be distributed to those in need in December to hopefully make their Christmas a little brighter! Musketeers truly Care as fiercely as they compete!
Brandi DesMarteaux says
Even the first snow storm of the season couldn’t stop this group of caring & giving individuals! It’s such a wonderful feeling to give back to your community, especially with family & friends! Thank you to everyone who participated, and the handful of individuals who planned, shopped, cooked, watched the smaller kids, set up & cleaned up!
Rusty Hampton says
Great seeing people giving of their time to serve others expecting nothing in return.
Sherry Powers says
So proud to be part of an organization, that loves helping people. Life leadership truly cares about the world. Building strong caring leaders will change the world, one kind deed at a time.
ANGIE says
Awesome story!!!
kristy bermejo says
This event from start to finish went together smoothly!! The power of our Musketeer team coming together for the common goal was outstanding!! Everyone wanted to explore the “fun” aspect of this event and we certainly accomplished that!! AND helping others out in the community was definitely the plus. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Barb Yax says
I am grateful to be a part of the Musketeer Family and being a service to others. It was an amazing event and Can’t wait to see what we do next!
Nikki Lipzinski says
This is awesome! I love knowing that I’m a part of something so great! Puts a smile on my face to see this! Great Job guys! 🙂
Robby Palmer says
Great job guys! Way to serve!
Cindy Yoder says
There are no better examples of servant leaders than found within the Life community. Great job Muskateers!
Mike Gorski says
This was a fantastic event!! It was such a honor to serve with the Musketeer organization.
Dana Jensen says
Making a Difference , by actions not talk !
Dave Thomas says
Great community of Life Leadership! Something for everyone. Life changing for sure!
Ed says
Great story ! Cool so many people were able to benefit from this!
Melissa Boza says
This is what life is all about!!! SERVING others!!!
Bill Yontz says
It was an outpouring of support from our whole team. From our founder on down it’s great to be around people with this type of integrity.
Mary Di Antonio says
This was so awesome! I feel very blessed to be a part of Life Leadership.
BRENDA HATCHER says
Wow! We watched as the excitement grew in Michigan as our fellow Musketeers headed into their first LIFE oN LIFE INITIATIVE. IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS! We cannot wait to get a Musketeers Life on Life Initiative going out here in California. We show all of our new guests the LIFE oN LIFE Blog and updates and they are excited to give back to the community as a group.
We have an event in the making now for the So California Porthos Musketeers that will occur in March and we will keep you updated. It is a prom for Special Needs children/young adults. They need hundreds of volunteers to pull it off and we are excited to be able to participate with the local church here who organized this event.
Hats off to the Musketeers for a huge successful first of many LIFE ON LIFE INITIATIVE. GIVE TIL IT HURTS!
Mindy Coons says
This was so much fun! Having fun & making a difference! That’s what makes Life Leadership & the Musketeers so great! Can’t wait for the next one 🙂
James Scott says
To be there and support the Life on Life Initiative was very heart watming. The choice to pay it forward and help those in need was worth driving thru the snow. The round trip 9 hours was well worth the time to help other people less fortunate. I’de do it again in a heart beat. ?
Theresa Buggia says
Nice to be a part of something serving others!
Sherri Elebaum says
So blessed to be able to serve with such a fun & caring group! Empty boxes & paper rockets & airplanes were a hit with the young Musketeers! We can have such fun while making a difference.
Carmen Sumner says
We had a great time! It was awesome to see so many come together for such a great cause. I was blessed to be a part of this function. My son and daughter also got to share this moment. Thank you life leadership for all the great examples we get to set for our future generations.
Tom & Danielle olds says
We are so blessed to be part of this life changing experience. ….great job everyone
Tony Jackson says
You guys are awesome. So proud to be apart of this amazing group of people.
Ronald Lamb says
That was a great day! It is a great feeling when you can help the community.
Brad Greaves says
What a great way to spend an afternoon helping those less fortunate. Looking forward to having more Life on Life events to serve the community. Loved seeing everybody come together to serve!! Great job Muskateers and Life Leadership!
Bruce Williams says
It was an honor to be able help supply food for hungry people. This is a project that will bless the givers and receivers in ways that we cannot comprehend, but I know That our Lord will bless all involved!
Scott DesMarteaux says
So thankful to be associated with Life Leadership and to represent the Musketeers. This was such a great day spending time in fellowship with other members while making a difference for others. I love that our children were involved in this event so that they can learn that you do not truly live until you give to those in need.
Peggi Williams says
Life on Life is the best outreach to be a part of because instead of handouts, they offer people a strong Hand Up out of the Matrix. The food we collected will insure that children will not go to bed hungry tonight. God Bless Life Leadership
Jason says
Life Leadership is awesome. Love hearing such stories
Willis Lewis says
The Lord Jesus Christ came to seek and to save those that were lost. The Life on Life Initiative came to seek and to serve also. It was such a blessing to be a part of such an amazing cause. We were able to come together as team and show the community that we are going to make a difference in the world. It was so much fun to be able to involve our children (13yrs, 9yrs, and 21 months) and show them that The Lord does not bless us with so much do keep to ourselves but to give it out and show His Love through us. Glad to be a part of Life Leadership and the Musketeers.
Chelsea Perry says
What an awesome and inspiring story! Great teamwork!
Bruno says
Awesome!
Aaron Knelsen says
That’s awesome! A ton of peanut butter and lots of volunteers.
Martha Spaniolo says
One can see the unity, all of your smiles radiating fun, the behind the scenes efforts, those games were a riot, the video was outstanding …Oh My Musketeers hats off to y’all. Behind all of that you left a trail of over-the-top community service.