Richard Furlong

I graduated from Maple Valley in 1994 and have lived in Barry County most of my life.  I’m a 13-year Navy Veteran.  I have five children and 6 grandchildren.  I work for Fresenius Medical Care as a Facility Administrator.  My late stepdad was a U.S. Army Veteran, he is a driving force and reason in my life, along with my oldest son who is also an Army Veteran.  I have a passion for helping our Veterans because my Brotherhood didn’t end with my service.  I got their six!

Andrew Ferguson

I am a veteran service officer for the Disabled American Veteran (DAV)- Department of Michigan. I represented the DAV as a Department Service Officer from February 2012 until October 2013 and then as a National Service Officer from October 2013 until June 2022. I served in the United States Marine Corps from 2003-2010, serving two tours in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Donald Converse

My passion is to help those veterans in our County that have served to protect our rights.  I was born in Hastings and graduated from Hastings High School and Ferris State University.  I worked in the Hastings Area School System for 26 years.  I was involved in the Boy Scout Program for 15 years and have four Eagle Scouts in our family.

Debra Baker

My reason and passion for being a part of this non-profit is to support the veterans within our county who have served our country.  I have veterans within my family and have a number of friends that are also veterans, and we want to get the word out that there are great resources within Barry County to help them. They need to know others care about them and their needs.  

I’ve been married 41 years, have two children and seven grandchildren.  I have lived most of my life in Barry County and have worked at Viking for 35 years.

Angela Jousma

I am a 2002 graduate of Hastings High School. I’m married and a mom of 6 kids and keep myself busy with their activities. My purpose for being a part of Barry County Acts of Kindness is to help the service men and women of our community with support, compassion and encouragement. We live in a community full of amazing resources meant to be shared and utilized.

Carlene Converse

After having worked and living in Barry County most of my life, I am retired and moving onto a new chapter of my life and that is to help with the needs of veterans within Barry County.  I was involved alongside my husband in the Boy Scout Program for 15 years and have four Eagle Scouts in the family.

Melissa DelCotto Furlong

I was born and raised in Hastings, Michigan and currently work as a Paraprofessional and a job coach for young adults.  I have five children and six grandchildren.  My husband is a 13-year U.S. Navy Veteran and our oldest son is an Army Veteran.  I have a passion to assist our veterans in any way possible as they have spent their lives to save ours.

Kelly Lancaster

My passion for this is to do my part to say thank you to all of those who have given so much of themselves, to make things possible for the rest of us, and to help them in any way I can.  My dad was also a was a Marine.  I am the owner of Floral Designs of Hastings, a full-service Florist here in Barry County.

James Ainsworth

I am the owner and operator of Midwest Knights Construction LLC; Jericho Providence; and Welcome Wood Campground in Hastings, MI.  Our Freedoms and Liberties are often taken for granted and those who fight for them, left behind.  Through BCAOK I can help show my love of God, our Country, our Flag, and our Freedom by supporting those who gave of themselves to fight and uphold those Values and God given rights! OUR VETERANS!