Philanthropy/Membership

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.

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.

Kirstin Volkening

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU

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.

TREE GIVEAWAY

The Kimberly-Clark Co. and Meijer stores teamed up to distribute 25,000 trees this year. Meijer Gardens was fortunate to be among the organizations selected to distribute 500 of them. The giveaway was originally scheduled for Earth Day in April 2020 but was cancelled because of COVID-19.

Guests were surprised and happy to receive the young trees, planting instructions and information on how to care for the tree as it grows.

Our thanks to Kimberly-Clark and Meijer stores for helping us address our mission’s commitment to the natural environment and for helping us brighten the day for lucky visitors.

Volunteers handing young trees to guests.

Kirstin Volkening

GREAT GARDENS PARTY

The Great Gardens Party is Meijer Gardens signature springtime fundraising gala. With 500 people in attendance each May, this event brings Meijer Gardens supporters together for an evening of food, fun and fundraising. The Great Gardens Party Planning Committee was set to host an amazing evening to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Meijer Gardens with the theme: From Seeds to Silver. As springtime progressed and it became clear that the party could not occur in its regular fashion, the committee added another motto: The Show Must GROW On!

In less than 50 days, the event was transformed to an all-online virtual fundraising event. This included an online auction with over 30 packages and experiences, many of which were donated, unsolicited, from generous supporters of Meijer Gardens. The feature presentation of this virtual event was a video broadcast on the evening of June 24, hosted by board member Debbye Turner Bell. The video featured historic footage from our first 25 years, updates from President & CEO David Hooker, as well as two very special performances by the Grand Rapids Ballet and Ralston Bowles.

With contributions from many sponsors, donors and participants, $120,000 was raised to support our mission. Thank you to our sponsors at all levels, especially our Blossom Level sponsor, Doug Meijer. For a full list of sponsors and donors, please watch the video linked below that was created as a thank you to everyone that supported this new virtual event.

Although we had hoped to celebrate our silver anniversary in person, we hope you will join us to celebrate year 26 next year at the Great Gardens Party, scheduled for Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Mark your calendars!

We would love to extend our warmest thank you to all of our virtual Great Gardens Party viewers, sponsors, donors and auction winners.

HOLIDAY HOPES FOR CHRISTMAS CABARET 2020

The Christmas Cabaret Committee and the Philanthropy department are examining options for this year’s Christmas Cabaret. Hope remains high to find a safe and appropriate way to celebrate this signature holiday event and raise important funds to support the mission of Meijer Gardens. As demonstrated by the virtual Great Gardens Party (see above), Meijer Gardens will always find a reason to celebrate! For updates, please visit www.MeijerGardens.org/cabaret.