Stories

As part of Dr. Gerald VanWieren’s commitment to the National Health Service Corps, he had to work in a high-need community after medical school. He and his wife Suzanne, a family nurse practitioner, chose Grant. “I was obligated to two years, but we’ve stayed 40,” said Gerald.

Love INC offers many services, including a food pantry, resale store, and help center which connects people with the appropriate resources. Most importantly, however, it’s a place where transformation begins.

After Tim Rossler volunteered in his mother’s Head Start classroom in college—where he was studying business—he began picking up education electives and ultimately became a teacher and superintendent. For Peggy Rossler, a love of education started even earlier with a kindergarten teacher she adored. “Teaching was my dream from then on,” she said. “And I got to live my dream. It wasn’t always easy, but it was wonderful.”

As a member of the Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), Emma Kartes spent her first year quietly observing. “Then I started getting more comfortable speaking up,” she said.

Where some saw an eyesore, Newaygo County Compassion Home saw potential. While the hospice home began serving guests in 2018 at a donated house in White Cloud, they also began renovating a larger building in Fremont that had been empty for years.

The Land Conservancy specializes in the long-term commitment that caring for natural areas requires. One of their newest projects is the McDuffee Creek Nature Preserve in northern Newaygo County.

Four of six Gorsky siblings moved to Newaygo County in the early 1970s with their parents, Al and Loretta. They graduated from high school, then spread out across the country for college, military service, and careers. Yet this area kept drawing them back.

Family and community are deeply important to Christie Pollock. The fund she created at the Community Foundation combines her love of family and community with a lifelong desire to give back.

Over 55 years ago, Gladys Hindes heard a simple message from her pastor about a family in Hesperia who could use a friend. Her immediate, whole-hearted response created an enduring bond between two families.

Throughout 2022, the Community Foundation developed an updated strategic plan to guide our work. Woven throughout is a focus on continuing to build trust and collaborations.

Jack and Mary Butterick have traveled the world, but their hearts are in West Michigan. Service and working to be good neighbors have been hallmarks of their life together.

Farmworker Appreciation Day is an annual opportunity to recognize those who play a critical role in our local economy and community.

The Zerlauts are both Holton graduates who returned to the area after college. Their up-close experience with the Community Foundation through Greg's work here, made this a natural fit as a place to give.

Hope College has always been an important part of David and Rhonda Byrne's story. They met there and were even married by the school's chaplain, who offered advice they have followed ever since: start giving together and make it a habit.

The Crandell family has been a fixture in Newaygo County for 120 years. They have always made community a priority, through their work, volunteerism, and with a scholarship they created for Fremont and White Cloud graduates.

Unexpected expenses strained Timothy's finances just as his truck's tires were giving out. Michigan Works! West Central helped Timothy get new tires so he wouldn't have to miss work.

Every summer since 1949, Bill Alsover’s family relocated from their East Grand Rapids home to a cottage on Pickerel Lake. When Bill moved to the area full-time over a decade ago, he began to notice changes in the lake.

While the class of 2030’s graduation may seem far off, Kickstart to Career Newaygo County has been planning for it since before those students started kindergarten in 2018. The kids in this inaugural Kickstart class were the first to receive savings accounts seeded with $50 from the Community Foundation.

Jeanne Leaver and her husband Bill created a donor advised fund at the Community Foundation because they wanted a sustainable way to support the area they were born in and returned to as adults. It was here they learned the importance of giving back through the example of their families and neighbors.

Transportation is one of our area’s biggest barriers to employment. Classis Muskegon’s Fremont Service Committee helps fill the need by providing cars and repairs to local people trying to get to work.

When her husband passed away, Diane Hazen remembered his desire to help local students. She created a scholarship in his memory to support Hesperia graduates and continue his legacy.

Over the years, Lindsay and Vonda Hager have seen first-hand all the ways community members give back. They passed along that example to their daughters and live it out themselves.

The new Center for Hope and Healing is the joint vision of Newaygo County Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and Open Arms Child Advocacy Center. Together, the organizations provide an array of services to build stronger families and prevent abuse while also supporting children who have experienced abuse.

By bringing together partners from local landowners all the way up to federal agencies, Trout Unlimited is leading efforts to restore and protect the White River watershed.

Through his work as a financial advisor, Lou Deleguardia was aware of the Community Foundation as a resource for local giving. He decided to get involved and is now creating a fund to support recreation programs in Newaygo County.

Growing up in Newaygo County, Jeff Clark and Lori Tubbergen Clark remember often being on the receiving end of the giving and kindness of others. Now, they look for ways to pay that kindness forward.

Roger and Becky Tuuk have grown to love many things about Newaygo County in their 40 years here. Through service and their donor advised fund, they find ways to give back to the causes and organizations close to their hearts.

In less than two years, the West Michigan Research Station went from a field and a dream to a collection of neat green and white buildings and a hum of activity.

As the pandemic started to take hold in March 2020, the staff at TrueNorth Community Services was sure of at least one thing: "As soon as schools closed, we knew it would have serious repercussions," said Mike Voyt, director of hunger prevention programs.

In the early 1960s, a phone call from Bessie Slautterback—the Community Foundation’s first executive director—with news of a scholarship helped clear the way for Art Sanders to start dental school. It also inspired a deep desire to give back.

Despite the pandemic, local students still had ways to learn and make music together virtually through the Link Up program.

The idea that we can be inspired by the passions of others played out in Dawn Anderson's childhood in a Grant-area family actively involved in giving and service.

From family dinners in his childhood to his career as a museum director, James King has seen philanthropy at work throughout his life. The generosity they've witnessed has inspired James and his wife Jamie to find ways to give back to the places that are important to them.

Grant Public Schools has the largest after school program in the county and staff are committed to providing creative enrichment opportunities that impact not only students and families but the surrounding community.

Over the years, Don and Ann Bont have shared a commitment to supporting their community however they can. Their donor advised fund at the Community Foundation provides an opportunity to make an even greater impact.

When Bill and Judy Johnson designed their scholarship fund, they got creative. Instead of helping a student with just the first semester or year of college, they worked with the Community Foundation to set up a scholarship that follows one student all the way through.

Entrepreneurs in rural areas face unique challenges, including difficulty connecting with others who are going through the same thing. To foster greater connection, The Right Place partnered with the Community Foundation and Northern Initiatives to create the Grow North series.

Despite chapters in their lives lived in other cities, John and Ailene Pugno always felt the pull of their hometowns. Now the couple is creating two funds through their estate plan to permanently support the community that holds their hearts.

Until recently, local children who experienced abuse often had to face telling their story over and over to police, lawyers, investigators, and others. Now, at Open Arms Child Advocacy Center, children tell their story just once to a specially-trained interviewer in a child-friendly setting and have access to an array of supportive services.

Imagine navigating a pandemic and stay-at-home orders when home is a dangerous place. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, WISE has continued serving local survivors of domestic and sexual violence, even as the organization quickly adjusted to new safety guidelines and contended with budget limitations.

The youth drama program at Stage Door Players is bringing together teens from around the county to learn about theater and acting while also building skills, overcoming fears, and gaining self-confidence.

In the middle of a blizzard on icy roads, three local nurses drove to Lansing to tour a hospice home. They knew instantly they had to bring the concept back to Newaygo County. The Newaygo County Compassion Home was born in that blizzard, a dream of a warm home where people could complete their lives in dignity, comfort, and love.

Don and Sue Farmer believe in the power of scholarships, so they created one at the Community Foundation. It's a way for them to help local students get ahead and a reflection of the couple's gratitude for the ways the Newaygo County community has impacted their lives.

Tom and Char TenBrink talked about creating a scholarship someday through their estate plan. However, after learning about the Community Foundation's build-a-fund program, the adventure-loving couple decided to use it to start their scholarship now.

Randy and Shari Paulsen and their two sons all attended Fremont High School. Both boys were also involved in athletics, so Randy and Shari know first-hand how important sports can be to students. That's why they created a fund to support their alma mater and its athletics programs.

Mark Ramsey and Lola Harmon-Ramsey are passionate about being involved in the community where they live, own a business, and raise a family. The Our Next 75 donor group at the Community Foundation gave them a simple, accessible way to invest in their community's future. "When I heard about it, I thought 'We can do that,'" said Lola. "For the first time, I thought maybe I can be a philanthropist."

In recognition of the community's support of her salon and knowing how difficult it can be to start out as a stylist, Dawn Williams created the Hair Station Fund at the Community Foundation. The fund supports an annual award that will help graduating cosmetologists from the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center get their start.

Mike Slaughter, along with family and friends, created a scholarship in memory of his son Tyler. It was recently awarded for the first time to Nicole Klomp, a local social worker who shares Tyler's passion for being an advocate for people in crisis.

Margaret Branstrom was not as public a figure as her husband, William Branstrom, but she was very much his partner in philanthropy. In addition to carrying on a family legacy of giving, the couple's grandchildren want to ensure Margaret's name is remembered alongside William's.

Krista Sellers knows that life can veer in unexpected directions. For her, Circles Newaygo County represented the opportunity to get back on track and do something different for her family.

Early experiences watching their parents give deeply influenced both Susanne and Bob Jordan. They continued that mission in their lives together. "We've always had a heart for people who needed a helping hand," said Susanne.

Dave and Lynne Robinson have translated their deep connection to the community into volunteerism, board service, giving through the Community Foundation, and teaching the next generation about the power of philanthropy.

Thanks to local voters' approval of the 911 surcharge reinstatement and a program-related investment from the Community Foundation, Newaygo County Central Dispatch is looking forward to some much-needed technology upgrades.

When Angie Bradley was passed over for her dream job because it required a bachelor's degree, she knew she needed to make a change. An adult student scholarship from the Community Foundation is helping her go back to school to finish her degree.

Their careers took them around the country, but Bill and Jeanne Leaver always knew they would come back home to Newaygo County. Through volunteerism, community involvement, and their donor advised fund, the Leavers are committed to strengthening their community and giving back.

Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative provides support, education, and training to current and former foster care youth as they transition to adulthood. But a gap in funding meant older participants, like Luke, would lose access to important resources. That’s where June Britt stepped in.

As owners of Mighty Lube Systematic Lubrication, Pat and Kim Brown wanted to give back to the community that has been home to their family and business. They also wanted to encourage more local graduates to consider careers in vocational and skilled trades. With the scholarship they created, they’re doing just that.

When a band teacher took Stuart Stone under his wing, it helped foster a love of the arts that Stuart now shares with his wife Kay, their children, and their grandchildren. Stuart and Kay’s scholarship for other Grant graduates who have been involved in the arts is a way to celebrate a shared family interest, help local students achieve their goals, and give back to their community.

After launching in March, Kickstart to Career Newaygo County officially got underway in fall 2018. The program is expected to serve more than 7,000 local students over the next 10 years.

In August 2018, more than 100 Hesperia and Fremont teachers gathered for a three-day training that immersed them in new tools to support student engagement.

Getting involved in the community has always been a priority for Tom and Carol Bieberle. They created a fund at the Community Foundation as another way to give back and empower local individuals and families.

As a mom of three very busy girls, Dawn Ausema dreamed for years of finding a good job with plenty of flexibility. The Digital Works program helped Dawn achieve that dream with training for customer service jobs that can be done from home.

Staff at Quest Educational Programs in Fremont work hard to help their alternative and adult education students complete high school and plan for what comes next. With support from a Community Foundation grant, Quest hired a career coach to provide extra support and help students apply for financial aid, college, trade schools, and jobs.

For many families, a major unplanned home repair can lead to financial hardship or even unsafe living conditions. That’s why the Center for Nonprofit Housing is committed to helping local people obtain and maintain safe housing through foreclosure prevention, counseling, and home repair assistance.

During their careers as educators, Mike and Carolyn Hummel had a front-row seat to the impact that grants and scholarships can have. When Carolyn joined the Board of Trustees, the idea to create a fund of their own began to grow.

Gary Woods loved maps. He began each year in his Hesperia classroom by drawing colorful world maps across the blackboard. Former students who went abroad often wrote to say that, thanks to him, they always knew exactly where they were in the world.

After more than 40 years, Bob and Bonnie Erber are still full of enthusiasm for Fremont, the town that won them over with its safe neighborhoods and friendliness. Moved by gratitude, they have worked to give back through service, volunteerism, and a scholarship fund at the Community Foundation.

Last year, as Dr. Lori Tubbergen Clark talked about the Promise Zone at a parent meeting, she noticed a woman in the front row who seemed concerned. Lori paused for questions and the woman raised her hand. “It sounds too good to be true,” she said, struggling to believe someone was simply going to pay for her child’s college education. Assured there was no catch, the mother in the front row began to cry.

Ben and Linda Landheer have both “been involved in an awful lot of things,” Ben said with a smile. Giving back was something he learned by watching his parents’ example as he grew up on a dairy and vegetable farm in Grant. "I was raised that way," he said. "I learned we need to share with others.

Tyler Slaughter was known for his bright smile, compassion, and whole-hearted dedication to the work he was doing at Newaygo County Mental Health. His father Mike–along with family, friends, and Tyler’s coworkers–created a scholarship for adult students to honor his life and legacy.

Every week at the Artsplace, a program called PITA is giving young people in the court system a chance to be creative, build skills, and head in a more positive direction.

In honor of their mother Betty Taylor, sisters Holly Moon and Linda Meisling created a fund at the Community Foundation to support the wellbeing of local women, especially those who find themselves starting over.

Through Circles Newaygo County, local individuals and families find the resources, connections, and encouragement they need to lead their own journeys out of poverty.

When someone thinks of a donor at a community foundation, a teenager starting college is probably not the picture that comes to mind. But while Julee Tellkamp was packing to move into a college dorm last fall, she was also preparing to create a fund at the Community Foundation.

In 2014, the Muskegon River swelled to one of its highest levels on record, damaging hundreds of local homes. The remarkable speed at which the water rose revealed the vital importance of quick warnings.

Last spring, third and fourth graders from Velma Matson Upper Elementary in Newaygo excitedly welcomed a crowd of parents and grandparents to their very own book release party. It was the culmination of an innovative program incorporating drawing, reading, writing, and history.

Although they live in Grand Rapids now, Brian and Diane Karsten have a special place in their hearts for Fremont. They created a scholarship to support deserving Fremont graduates as a way to give back to a community they feel blessed to have been a part of.

In 2013, Alyssa Greene of Hesperia received the Possibility! Scholarship, a special full, four-year scholarship from the Community Foundation. In May 2017, Alyssa graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a bright future full of opportunity ahead of her.

Last summer, SEEDS Youth Conservation Corps gave local youth–many in foster care–the opportunity to gain job experience, build skills, earn money, and learn more about environmental stewardship and conservation.

Introduced to the importance of giving and service at a young age by her own parents, Lois Brookhouse followed their example and then passed down a family legacy of generosity.

Helen Myers studied art in college and while she went on to a career in business, she is remembered as someone whose artistry showed through in everything she did. Now a scholarship fund created by Helen’s family in her memory supports young women who plan to study art and design.

Newaygo High School Principal Jackie Knight and Assistant Principal Sarah Rodriguez developed Project 180 as a way to help students facing expulsion stay on-track to graduate while also redirecting them toward more positive, connected lives.

Charles and Marilee Whitman came to Michigan from Ohio, ultimately adopting Fremont as home. Their service in the community, as well as the fund they created at the Community Foundation, are examples of their belief in the importance of giving back more than you take.

When Randi Koogler’s job was downsized, instead of focusing on the problem, she recognized a chance for a new start. An adult student scholarship from the Community Foundation helped her take the next step.

Helping was as much a part of Harold Kalsbeek’s nature as his work ethic and inquisitive mind. At age 95 he created an unrestricted fund at the Community Foundation to give back and to help community programs continue.

Sisters Sarah Coville and Emily Zoulek both received Community Foundation scholarships and went into careers in healthcare. They created the Coville Scholarship to give back to future students from their hometown entering the medical field.

For more than 20 years, Classis Muskegon Ministries and its Fremont Service Committee’s car ministry has helped more Newaygo County residents achieve self-sufficiency and the opportunity to build a better life.

If anyone understands the importance of a healthy heart, it’s Nancy Deters. That’s why she used her donor advised fund to place AED machines at two local schools.

Susan Reagan knew what it was like to be stuck on shore when she really wanted to be in her kayak. Along with a group of dedicated friends and neighbors, she found a way to make sure more local people can get back out on the water.

Woody Bowman has spent 25 years in White Cloud, and he and his wife, Sue, are always on the lookout for ways to get involved and make a difference. Because for Woody, when a place becomes home, it becomes your responsibility to take care of it.

In addition to a firm belief in education, Doran Ditlow learned from his parents that it was important to “leave things better than I found them.”

When a Hesperia teacher asked her class to share what they were thankful for, one student wrote two little words that spoke of a big impact: “to see!”

Jane Reath’s life has been characterized by a love for education and her willingness to accept change, embrace innovation, and face challenges with positivity.

Just before the birth of their daughter Evie, Wes and Melissa Miller started a build-a-fund (and a family tradition) at the Community Foundation.

Stan and Joyce Beckman remember Joyce’s parents, Reo and Bessie McMillen, as generous people who lived with integrity and faith. Now Stan and Joyce are passing down those values through the generations of their family.

Chad Hickman’s family created a fund in his memory as a way to give back to the community and to continue Chad’s legacy of inspiration and determination.

To Don and Marsha Van Singel, giving back and investing in people is a natural response to the gift of living in a community they love.

Not long ago, the home of the new Grant Farmers Market was just an empty lot. But with plenty of vision and hard work, a dedicated community gave the lot a new purpose and a role to play in the city’s future.

Al and Marlene Karnemaat love what they do and see their family business as a calling. They established the Karnemaat Family Scholarship to help local young people train for their own rewarding careers.

Croton Township Library set up an agency endowment fund at the Community Foundation to ensure a promising future.

It has all the elements of a great celebration, but Farmworker Appreciation Day is more than just a party. Held each summer in Grant, the event is also an expression of gratitude to the migrant and seasonal workers in Newaygo County whose hard work is critical to local farmers and to the economy.

The dedication and warmth of the staff and volunteers at Alpha Family Center can be a lifeline for clients who arrive scared and overwhelmed.

Charles Davidson’s wife Iris and family established a scholarship fund in his memory as a meaningful, lasting way to honor his life and legacy.

For Roger and Becky Tuuk, a donor-advised fund through the Community Foundation is a way to support the community they love and to honor the lessons they learned from their parents.

Mistie Wolfenbarger was ready to make positive changes in her life. The Growing Hope program at Love INC, funded in part by a Community Foundation grant, helped her take the next step.

Alyssa Greene received the Possibility! Scholarship in 2013. This special full, four-year scholarship served as a springboard to the rest of her life.

Newt Dilley’s passion for the White River inspired his daughter to start a fund to protect and preserve this natural resource.

For Fremont natives Jason and Kristin Brookhouse, creating a donor advised fund at Fremont Area Community Foundation was a way to demonstrate gratitude.

Maggie Bailey loves her family, pets, flower gardens, and the Hesperia Community Library. Although she is in her 80s and no longer a regular physical presence at the library, she has made a donation every month for the last 10 years.

Joe Berger is an offensive lineman for the Minnesota Vikings and in his tenth season in the NFL. But he’s also a Newaygo High School graduate who has not forgotten the important role his family and home community played in his success.