GRAND RAPIDS — Jim Columbus may have retired from his job with the city of Grand Rapids but not from serving the town he loves.
Whether sculpting bunkers at Pokegama Golf Course or secretly setting a penguin sculpture along the Mississippi River after Christmas, he’s always found ways to show up for his community.
"My daughter gave me the idea," Columbus said on the KAXE Morning Show, Friday, Feb. 13, when he was the guest for What's for Breakfast.
His daughter even supplied the burlap and penguin costume he draped over the tree.
"If it brought a smile to somebody's face or a young child got excited about seeing it, I guess it was worth it," he said. "And then a friend of mine sent me a picture of his two grandkids in front of the penguin and made my day. Yeah, it was worth it."
The tree itself carries special meaning. It was planted by the city of Grand Rapids for Columbus's retirement after years of dedicated service.
Columbus continues to give back in quiet ways, said Morning Show host John Bauer.
"You volunteer at church, you put up an 80-foot tree at the library, and you probably got that with your bare hands," Bauer said. "There's not many people like Jim Columbus, and I sincerely mean that. You do so many good things. Why do you do it?"
Columbus said, "I guess that's kind of why we're on the face of the earth, to help each other out."
Listen to the full What's For Breakfast conversation above, including the deep dive into Grape Nuts and Raisin Bran.
Tell us about someone doing good in your community! Text us at 218-326-1234.
We'd also enjoy getting to know you on What's for Breakfast. You just need to be a member of KAXE!
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