Philanthropy

In Honor In Memory

Adela Beatrice Correal Anonymous Bill DeVries Cori VanderLey Lena Meijer James & Gail Fahner Marjorie Pirai Anonymous Margaret Burr Taylor Larry & Susan Blose Thomas Burr Thomas & Sandra Burr Whitney Burr Judith Coby & Joseph Doyle Darylee & Sam Coplin Judith Dawson Betsy Gardner Eckbert Michelle & Chris Gardner Nancy Gritter Betty Harris KittyJo Hooten Martha Kalnins Craig & Roberta M. Kuntz Evelyn Liversedge Paula Morse Amy Paschack B. Camille Reinhardt Agnes Schoen Susan Taylor John Terwilliger William & Carole Warren Richard Warren Susan Wold Kathryn Klarich Beverly Barrett Susan G. Campbell Jane Brink Elise & Tom Roe Ann Cameron Randi Richner & Eric Russell Fred & Deb Steketee Marianne Czechowskyj Brandi & Michael Czechowskyj Laurie Dahlstrom Angela, Aaron & Zachary Cote Allison Ulrich Charles Ulrich Margaret Dawe Barbara & James Long David & Janet Matthews Nancy & Geoffrey McDavid Leon & Kristen Motz Amy & Walt Plant Christy Reynolds Lowell Rinker Pat Rinker Sarah Toman John Ferroli Matthew & Irma Ferroli Roberta Johnston Jennifer Solanics Thomas Jones Susan Glafford Suzie MacKeigan Joann Lehman Matthew Karulf & Mary Kay Lehman Julie Marx Mary Ann Mapes Walter and Pamela McVeigh Amy & George Linde Diana Lightfoot & Family Diana Morgenstern Greg Carnevale & Diane Mahon Andrew & Janet Hickman Roberta Lentz Sally Schaefer John Schaefer & Doug Proctor Eileen Shedleski Dean Lake Association Rick & Diane Noorman Dr. and Mrs. Christopher Southwick Gay Adams George & Dot Vande Woude Sue VandeWoude Richard Westman Emily Brown Harold Wolfram Bruce Talen

Amway–Meijer, Inc. Fund for Education Established

On Monday, November 29, 2021, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park hosted a gala event to celebrate the conclusion of our Welcoming the World: Honoring a Legacy of Love capital campaign. We were thrilled to open the Garden Pavilion to our guests for their first look at Utopia, by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa.

That evening, David Hooker, President & CEO, announced the establishment of the Amway–Meijer, Inc. Fund for Education. “The fund was established to help Meijer Gardens truly welcome the world by providing access for children in underserved areas. These two donors seeded the fund with total gifts of $250,000,” Hooker said. A highlight of the night was when Candace Matthews, Meijer Gardens’ Vice Chair and former Chief Reputation Officer for Amway, spoke about her life’s experience. She eloquently stated the importance of giving all children the experiences of visiting places like Meijer Gardens. Candace, along with her husband, Bruce, issued a $25,000 challenge grant to everyone to further build this fund. Candace, the youngest of 18 children, knows firsthand how important it is for all people to have access to the arts. Their generous gesture inspired others to give—and the challenge was met! The fund now totals $320,000.

If you’re compelled to learn more or share your resources for this cause, please join other Meijer Gardens friends by contributing to the Amway–Meijer Inc. Fund for Education. Gifts may be made online, with a check payable to Meijer Gardens, or by calling 616-975-3170 to provide your credit card number. Visit MeijerGardens.org/learn for more information about learning opportunities and scholarships for schools.

Welcoming The World: Honoring a Legacy of Love Opening Ceremony and Dedication

Many thanks to our campaign donors, Honorary Committee Members and Event Planning Committee for their help in creating a grand celebration! Please visit bit.ly/WTW_FMG online for photos of the festivities.

Top left: Jaume Plensa shares his thoughts with guests.

Center left: Bruce Matthews jokes with the audience before Candace’s $25,000 challenge grant announcement.

Bottom left, from left to right: Mr. Joan Plensa (son of Jaume Plensa and Laura Medina), Mrs. Rui Rui Plensa (spouse of Joan Plensa), Laura Medina (spouse of Jaume Plensa), Jaume Plensa, Paul Gray (Richard Gray Gallery).

Bottom right: Donnalee Holton and Betsy Borre.