Showing Up For Those Who Served
How West Michigan Real Estate Agents Can Make a Difference This Veterans Day
Every year, Veterans Day reminds us of the people who have quietly carried the weight of service for our country, and how much we owe them when they return home.
This year, I wanted to do more than post a “thank you” graphic or share a quote. I wanted to show up for our local veterans, the ones right here in West Michigan who may be facing challenges that most of us never see.
As a real estate professional, I’ve always believed that “home” means more than a roof over our heads. It’s stability, safety, and belonging. But for too many of our veterans, those basics can feel just out of reach. Food insecurity is a growing problem across Michigan, and the upcoming pause in SNAP benefits will make things even harder, especially for veterans on fixed incomes.
That’s why our Key Realty West Michigan team is proud to highlight and support the West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program (WMVAP) this Veterans Day.
Why WMVAP Matters
WMVAP operates a veteran-dedicated food pantry that serves six counties across our region: Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa. It’s one of the only programs in West Michigan created specifically for veterans and their families.
Veterans who qualify can receive up to three days of food, including fresh meats, non-perishables, and even pet supplies when available. It’s an essential lifeline, especially for those who may not qualify for other food programs or who are waiting for assistance to begin.
And WMVAP doesn’t stop there. Beyond the pantry, the organization connects veterans to other critical resources: housing support, transportation, and benefits navigation. It’s about meeting people where they are, and walking beside them through recovery, not just offering a quick fix.
My Family’s Connection
WMVAP isn’t just an organization I read about. It’s one that has personally impacted my family.
Years ago, when my father, an Army veteran, needed help, WMVAP was there. They helped connect him to the services and support he had earned but didn’t know how to access. In that moment, they didn’t just assist a veteran; they supported an entire family.
Since then, WMVAP has become a cause close to my heart. Every year, we find ways to give back because I’ve seen firsthand how much their work matters.
This Veterans Day, our Key Realty West Michigan family is taking that belief a step further.
On Monday, November 11th, we’ll gather at Founders Brewing Company’s Centennial Room in Grand Rapids for our Veterans Day Continuing Education event — an Industry Update and Fair Housing CE course that fulfills two hours of Legal CE credits and one hour of Fair Housing CE for real estate agents.
You can register for this real estate CE class here.
The class will be taught by our Key Realty co-founders, Dennis Degnan and Amy Saylor. Dennis, a Marine Corps veteran, brings a unique perspective on service, leadership, and community that resonates deeply on a day like Veterans Day.
It’s no coincidence that this event blends education, collaboration, and community impact, because those values are the heartbeat of Key Realty. Everything we do is grounded in a simple, powerful philosophy:
Give and Serve. Stay Scrappy and Lean. Inspire Greatness. Win-Win or Walk Away. Embrace Training and Education. Let the Knife Do the Work. Always Be Improving.
Supporting the West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program (WMVAP) is a natural extension of those principles. It’s about showing up where our community needs us most, not just as agents, but as neighbors, as advocates, and as people who believe in giving back.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the support of our sponsors, United Alliance Mortgage, United Alliance Title, and America’s Preferred Home Warranty, whose partnership allows us to create space for both professional growth and meaningful service.
The Need Is Local and Urgent
There are more than 38,000 veterans and dependents in Kent County alone, and nearly 462,000 across Michigan. Roughly one in four struggle to afford basic needs, and nearly 40,000 Michigan veterans rely on SNAP benefits that are now facing disruption.
WMVAP steps into that gap, quietly and consistently, making sure no veteran in West Michigan goes hungry.
How You Can Help
Whether you’re joining us for the CE event or reading this from afar, you can be part of this effort:
Donate directly to the WMVAP Food Pantry. Checks can be mailed to:
West Michigan Veterans Assistance Program, PO Box 81, Wayland, MI 49348
or visit wmvap.org to learn more.Volunteer your time or skills. WMVAP offers multiple opportunities beyond the food pantry, from helping with housing support to event assistance.
Spread the word. Share this story, tag a friend, or tell a colleague. Awareness is how help finds its way to those who need it most.
As real estate agents, we spend our days helping people find their place in the world. This Veterans Day, let’s help those who served our country find stability, support, and the sense of home they deserve.
When we show up together, West Michigan shines a little brighter.