A HEARTFELT THANK YOU
Jean Silbar, Dan Voorhees and their grandchildren, Olivia and Jeremy, enjoy visiting Meijer Gardens all year round. Here, they are pictured on Howard Silbar's memorial bench located in the Volunteer Tribute Garden.
MEMBER PROFILE
JEAN SILBAR & DAN VOORHEES— 25 YEAR MEMBERS Four generations of our family have been visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park (or, more specifically, the property where it is located) for 60 years. Prior to becoming a world-class cultural organization, it was a farm where my sister and I, with our parents, would walk across the street to buy eggs. After that, it was a big field perfect for cross country skiing. My father, Howard Silbar, was involved from the very beginning. He wrote a letter to Fred Meijer suggesting that he help the West Michigan Horticultural Society and Betsy Borre start a botanic garden there. The rest, as they say, is history. Living just across the street, we have seen it all! We were there for many of the ground breakings. Our son, Jeremy Voorhees, would sit on piles of dirt having snacks and watching the construction. He spent many hours of many days watching the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory being built. We even had our children skip school to watch the unveiling of The American Horse by Nina Akamu. We attend most of the exhibition openings and have watched the many expansions of the facility over the years. Our grandchildren, Olivia (age 6) and Jeremy (age 3), wander over with their sitter at least twice a month to check out any new sculptures, plants and flowers. They also enjoy story time and love the butterflies. We have the Add-A-Guest option on our membership so that we can share Meijer Gardens. Occasionally, it takes some convincing that there is indeed world-class gardens and art just across the street. Once we are there, we frequently have to pry our guests away at closing time. What an honor to be able to share this with friends and family. So, yes; four generations! We have been members for 25 years, are lucky to be second generation members, and are thrilled to have the gift of watching our family’s third and fourth generation enjoy all that Meijer Gardens has to offer. We hope that our family’s future generations will watch as Meijer Gardens continues to grow and provide enjoyment for our community and the world.
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PHILANTHROPY/MEMBERSHIP
To our members, volunteers, and supporters, thank you! On behalf of the board and staff of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, we want to express our deep gratitude for your understanding and generosity during this extremely difficult time. We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people at varying levels, and you have our sincere wishes for good health and safety as we all learn a new way of doing things. When Meijer Gardens announced we were temporarily closing to the public on March 13, there were so many unknowns. For 86 days, a bare bones staff walked through dark halls wondering when we all could be together again. We brought Meijer Gardens to you through livestreams and Virtual Visits during our annual Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition, educational programming, and shared photos and memories of our Gardens & Sculpture Park. We carefully planned and hoped for the day everyone was waiting for: reopening day! We were so excited to be open once again on June 8 and be a place of relaxation and joy again for our community. Your continued support over these past few months through membership renewals and donations along with words of encouragement from your kind emails, social media posts and handwritten notes really helped our staff get through the hard days, and for that we are grateful beyond words. Meijer Gardens has and always will exist for you and because of you. Thank you!
INVESTING IN IMPACT Now more than ever, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is a refuge for reconnection, reflection and joy. As a non-profit organization, Meijer Gardens relies on donations in all shapes and sizes to remain a valued community organization. From online gifts and personal checks to donor advised funds, Meijer Gardens accepts many forms of contributions. Donor Advised Funds (DAF) are one of the fastest growing vehicles of philanthropic giving throughout the country. A DAF is a charitable investment account created to support organizations you care about. You make a gift to the financial institution of your choice and receive a tax credit right away. The financial institution will distribute gifts at your discretion and allow any remaining funds grow over time. Talk to the financial institution or community foundation of your choice to see if a DAF could be a giving option for you and your philanthropic goals. If you do choose to donate to Meijer Gardens through a DAF, please request that your name and address be included with the grant distribution so Meijer Gardens can properly thank and recognize you! Thank you to our members, donors, volunteers and staff. Continued generosity throughout the past 25 years has not only made Meijer Gardens possible, but positively impacts the lives of everyone who experiences our mission.
KIRSTIN VOLKENING
