How We Work
From favorite annual events such as Kids Day at the Zoo and the Shelley Irwin Fun Run, to giving back through Giving Tuesday Field Trips, WGVU is committed to fostering an inclusive community and an improved quality of life for people of all ages in West Michigan.
In August 2025, over 5,000 guests attended Kids Day at the Zoo for a special day of reduced admission to John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. This year, we also featured a Daniel Tiger’s “Be My Neighbor Day” in the park outside the zoo for a free to attend day of fun activities, crafts, and book giveaways.
This year, in partnership with sponsors and donors, we sponsored nearly 1,000 field trips for students enrolled in Title 1 schools to attractions such as: Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, the Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Muskegon Museum of History & Science, Kalamazoo Valley Museum Planetarium, Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo Nature Center. Covering costs for admission and/or transportation made these special days of hands on learning and playing accessible for more of our youngest kids.
