Volunteers clear overgrowth at Huyser Farm Park

Day of Caring team from Fifth Third Bank helps in blueberry fields.

Julian Kratochvil of Fifth Third Bank carries trimmings from the blueberry bushes at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., as part of the annual Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.

Kyle Bainbridge grabbed a saw and didn’t hesitate to dive into the overgrown blueberry bushes at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. With help from Diglia Sanchez and Julian Kratochvil, Bainbridge soon emerged with the sapling in tow.

“I grew up on a farm,” Bainbridge said, looking over the cleared area. “Nothing big.”

Nine volunteers from Fifth Third Bank tackled overgrowth at the Laketown Township park, removing unwanted saplings and vines as part of the Day of Caring coordinated by the Heart of West Michigan United Way. Hundreds of volunteers from around West Michigan helped nonprofit organizations through the event.

Kyle Bainbridge of Fifth Third Bank clears brush from the blueberry bushes at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., as part of the annual Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.

Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mary Jo Bertolino directed the volunteers at Huyser Farm Park. Jeff Partyka, facilities operations for the township, supplied the volunteers with rakes, saws, loppers and other equipment.

In past Day of Caring events, volunteers painted the Old Township Hall and spread woodchips on trails at Farview Park in 2023, and cleaned sand off the stairs at Laketown Township Beach in 2022.

Huyser Farm Park is 102 acres with trails, a creek and diverse plant and animal habitats. There are 6.5 acres of organic blueberries as well.

Corey Stevens of Fifth Third Bank carries trimmings from the blueberry bushes at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., as part of the annual Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Diglia Sanchez of Fifth Third Bank helps remove brush from the blueberry bushes at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., as part of the annual Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Kyle Bainbridge of Fifth Third Bank trims brush from the blueberry bushes at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., as part of the annual Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mary Jo Bertolino, left, explains what to trim in the blueberry bushes at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., as part of the annual Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Day of Caring volunteers from Fifth Third Bank haul trimmings away from the blueberry bushes at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
Volunteers from Fifth Third Bank at Huyser Farm Park, 4188 64th St., as part of the annual Day of Caring on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. Photo by Mary Jo Bertolino