I’VE HAD the pleasure of serving this community for almost a decade! Just like you, I’ve experienced changes in our service team, changes in our facilities, and changes in the people with whom we connect. What hasn’t changed is the overwhelming willingness of interested parties to partner with the Beacon Hill Foundation to make life even better for our residential community.
You have made the development of the Foundation exciting and fulfilling. I am happy to share that retirement is my next journey! I am grateful to those who took the time to share ideas that helped build meaningful gift programs, delightful relationships, responsible communications, and innovative social experiences.
IMPACT 2023-2024 shares the successes of the last year, reflecting your involvement and dedication to senior living at its best. Your continued support will ensure that together we will be “sustaining our future” physically, socially, and spiritually.
I’ve been blessed to be a part of a faith-based community that honors its 60-year legacy while developing a path for our future. Thank you!
Please join me in welcoming our new Executive Director, Libby Wahlstrom, whose experience and creativity will further build and sustain your Foundation! It will be an exciting time to learn how you can be a part of our growth.
Gratefully yours,
Andi Allen Retiring Director
I AM so pleased to be joining the Beacon Hill at Eastgate team as the Executive Director of the Foundation. I’m grateful to Andi Allen for laying such wonderful groundwork over the past decade, and to all of you for your generosity and support in getting the Foundation to where it is today.
As we celebrate how far we’ve come, I am also eager to look forward to the next phase of the Beacon Hill Foundation.
With your generous gifts, we will be able to grant even more scholarships for our incredible employees, strengthen our community and our neighborhood, bring high-quality programming to Beacon Hill, advance our spiritual care programs, and care for our residents. In addition, we will be embarking on an exciting fundraising effort in the next year that is designed to enhance our beautiful campus.
My hope is that as you read through this Impact Report you are struck by the breadth and depth of the work we are able to accomplish together. It is truly remarkable!
Thank you for your support of Beacon Hill Foundation now and into the future. I look forward to connecting with each of you in my new role. Please do not hesitate to stop by the Foundation office, reach out via email, or give me a phone call.
All the best,
Libby Crabb Wahlstrom Executive Director
Foundation Financial Overview
Fiscal year 2023-24 | April 1, 2023- March 31, 2024
REVENUE
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Investment Income
Total Revenue
EXPENSES
Investment Fee
$52,090
$173,867
$918,249
$1,144,206
FOUNDATION FUNDS
Benevolent Care Fund
Community Engagement Fund
Campus Enhancement Fund
Employee Scholarship Fund
Lillian Fuller Endowed Employee Scholarship Fund
$27,846
Foundation Administration $248,684
Total Expenses
$276,529
GRANTS DISTRIBUTED
Scholarships
Benevolence
Capital
Other
Total Grants
$34,461
$73,151
$78,414
$2,062
Distributed $188,087
Eileen Dechow Culinary Scholarship Fund
Russell and Dorothy Watkins Chaplaincy Fund
SUMMARIZED BALANCE SHEET
Current Assets $1,112,363
Assets Limited to Use $5,304,880
Pledges Receivable $20,000
Current Liabilities ($4,000)
Total Fund Balance $6,433,244
Sustaining Our Community Through Generosity
We continue to draw inspiration from our expanding community of supporters, united in the belief that the Beacon Hill Foundation is the heartbeat of Beacon Hill. Through generous charitable giving with gifts of all sizes, we are fostering a culture of philanthropy that sustains our future. By working hand in hand, we are ensuring a resilient and vibrant future for the community we cherish. (April 1, 2023-March 31, 2024)
Mrs. Clara Adams*
Mr. and Mrs. Kim Allen*
Anonymous =*
Anonymous
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Atwood
Ms. Gloria Baker
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Baker*
Mr. Robert Bennett*
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bergers
Ms. Pamela Bernal
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Beusse
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bierens
Mr. Jim Bierens
Dr. and Mrs. David Blair
Mrs. Ruth Blair*
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bloom
Ms. Eleanor Boelens
Ms. Judy Boer
Ms. Linda Bolton*
Mrs. Kathie Boogaart*
Ms. Nancy Borek*
Mr. and Mrs. John Bult
Ms. Jean Burke
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Byl
Calvin University Alumni Choir
Mr. Robert Carpenter*
Mr. Michael Cary and
Ms. Marjorie Loughrin
Mr. and Mrs. Dale Cederquist
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Champion
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Chardoul
Mrs. Melissa Clark*
Mr. James Cline
Ms. Nancy Cook
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cooper
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Cypher
Ms. Amanda Daggett*
Ms. Diane Darcy*
Mr. James DeZwaan
Mrs. Elizabeth Dole*
Mr. and Mrs. Carl Dufendach*
Ms. Christy Dykgraaf
Mr. Donald Ekdom =*
Ms. Sharla Fett
Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Fetty*
Ms. Kim Foster
Ms. Laurel Fowler
Ms. Laurie Freshour*
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Fryling*
Dr. Ray Fuller =
Ms. Megan Garza
Ms. Mary Ellen Gase
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Gess
Mr. and Mrs. James Gibson
Mrs. Adelaide Gleason =
Mr. and Mrs. Bing Goei
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Greenlee
Dr. and Mrs. Randy Greschaw
Mrs. Nancy Guzzo*
Mrs. Gloria Haebich =*
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn*
Mr. Tom Ham
Ms. Catherine Haney*
Mr. and Mrs. Warren Harrison
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Harrison
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Henson
Mrs. Paula Heule*
Mr. Thomas Hogan
Ms. Nancy Hollowell
Ms. June Hubert and
Ms. Constance Loehr
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Huebner
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Huegli*
Mr. John Hunting
Mr. Edward Inman
Mrs. Janice Jaarsma*
Ms. Sarah Johnson
Ms. Karen Jones*
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Josephson
Mrs. Mary Kaneti*
Mrs. Erma Keizer
Mrs. Judith Keller*
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kimball
Mr. and Mrs. John Klein*
Mr. Jim Knack*
Mr. and Mrs. Skip Knapp
Mr. William Korfker
Mrs. Florence Koster*
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Kramer
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kuhl
Mr. Tom Kuieck
Mr. and Mrs. John Kuieck*
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Laarman*
Ms. Barbara LaBeau
Mrs. Jean Larson
Mr. Wendell Leathead
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Leathead
Mr. and Mrs. Walt Lindsay
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lohrmann
Mrs. Barbara Lucas
Mr. William Mapel =*
Mrs. Polly McCoy =
Mr. and Mrs. Jeff McCune*
Ms. Sheila McGuire*
Ms. Jennifer McManus
Ms. Sheila Messina
Mr. and Mrs. John Mikulenas
Ms. Mae Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Joel Mitchell*
Mrs. Mary Lou Morrow
Ms. Cray Mulder*
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Neckers
Ms. Lori Nederveld
Ms. Carol Neuhaus*
Ms. Katherine Newell
Ms. Christy Noordhoek
Mr. and Mrs. John Osterhart
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Osterwald*
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Overzet
Mrs. Mary Ann Papp*
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Parzych
Mr. Ted Pasma*
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Pasma
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Penning*
Mrs. Ruth Penning
Mrs. Phyllis Penny*
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Peterson =*
Ms. Marci Phelps
Rev. Karl Pike
Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Pike
Mr. and Mrs. Rhett Pinsky
Ms. Donna Post
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Postma
Ms. Sheryl Pylman
Mrs. Eunice Raar*
Mr. and Mrs. Ron Renfer
Mrs. Marilyn Roelofs*
Mr. and Mrs. Jud Ross*
Mrs. Marilyn Rottschafer-Andriese
Ms. Sally Sauer =
Ms. Kathleen Scaglione
Mrs. April Schaab*
Ms. Kenda Scheele
Ms. Phyllis Schensul
Mr. Robert Scherphorn*
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Scott
Ms. Marian Siegle
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Silverstein =
Mr. and Mrs. Don Smith*
Ms. Linda Smith
Mr. Harold Smith
Ms. Deborah Snow*
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Solberg
Mrs. Pat Sommerdyke*
Ms. Sheree Speakman Giuntoli
Mrs. Jean Springer*
Mr. and Mrs. John Steketee*
Mrs. Ruth Stephens*
Mr. and Mrs. Don Strobel*
Dr. and Mrs. Curt Struyk
Mrs. Melody Sturing*
Mr. and Mrs. James Thorsten
Ms. Laura Topp
Mr. and Mrs. Jan Treur
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Truesdale*
Ms. Judith Tummino
Ms. Kathleen Tupper
Ms. Mary Jane Udell
Dr. David Van Dyke
Mrs. Ruth Van Eeuwen
Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Van Kuiken*
Mrs. Gladys Van Noord*
Mr. and Mrs. Paul VandeBunte
Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit Vanden Bosch
Mr. and Mrs. Reginald VandenBosch
Mr. and Mrs. Duane Vander Brug
Dr. Christopher VanDeven*
Mr. James Vaughan*
Mrs. Lois Venema*
Rev. and Mrs. Richard Verkaik =*
Mr. and Mrs. Russell Visner
Ms. Haila Vriesman
Ms. Karen Wadington
Mr. Russell Watkins*
Dr. and Mrs. Chuck Webb*
Ms. Linda Weiss and Friends
Mr. and Mrs. Duane Westenbroek
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wetherbee*
Ms. Sharon Whaley
Ms. Karen Whitehead
Mr. and Mrs. Bill Whitford
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Whitwam
Ms. Janice Wilcox
Mr. and Mrs. Greg Wilkins*
Dr. and Mrs. William Wilson
Mr. Loyd Winer*
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Winn
Ms. Cathy Winterhalter
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Wolffis
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wolffis*
Mr. and Mrs. James Wood
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Woodrow
Ms. Rosemary Zant
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Zimmerman*
* BH Loyal denotes those who made donations three consecutive fiscal years
= Denotes Legacy Society Member
Partnership Support
AT&T Business
Alt Long Term Care Consulting
Applied Innovation
CLA
Eastern Floral & Goei Center
Edward Jones
Emmanuel Hospice
Faith Baptist Church of Kentwood
First Merchants Bank
Greenbrier Development LLC
H.L. Bolkema Decorating
Legacy Carpet Cleaning
Mall City Mechanical
MetalTech Building Specialists
Metronet
Midwest Juice
Move Communications
Mr. Handyman of Greater Grand Rapids
NPF Investment Advisors
Pathway Senior Movers
Pinnacle Construction Group
Rockford Construction
SaboPR
Straight Line Fence
Tender Lawn Care
The Breton Group
Trailhead Networks
VAST
Warner Norcross Judd
Sustaining Our Future through Service
“ What can we do to make this world better for our grandchildren? Actually, ALL children and future generations!”
By Andi Allen
Resident Mary Kaneti has a heart and history of engaging in service opportunities that directly improve the lives of others. It is no surprise that Mary got involved in resident discussions about environmental issues shortly after she moved to Beacon Hill at Eastgate.
Mary moved to Grand Rapids from Illinois to be near her daughter and grandchildren. She was attracted to our community because of the resident oriented culture. Opportunities such as having her own garden plot were important. Mary even cultivates caterpillars into butterflies in her apartment! And her grandson is available to help with the heavy digging in the garden while conversing about his interests.
As a trained and practicing nurse, Mary combined her skills and service interests to help staff a medical care group in her Illinois community that provided care to the medically indigent. Once Mary retired and moved to Michigan, her involvement at Temple Emanuel allowed her to serve as their Food Pantry Coordinator, an affiliate of Feeding America, and participate in resettlement efforts for Afghan and Russian refugees. Service to others is Mary’s superpower.
Mary was particularly attracted to the resident-directed Environmental Action Group The group convened in 2019 to discuss what they could do to improve sustainability efforts in our community. The resulting efforts of this group led to the Community Sustainability Initiative in 2023 guided by internationally recognized sustainability expert, Joe Rinkevich. Joe is a founder, innovator, investor, and connector in sustainable business. For over 25 years, Joe Rinkevich’s work has been at the forefront of sustainability planning, strategy, implementation, and achievement for client organizations and the startups Joe has launched during his career. Mary now serves on the steering committee for the initiative.
Over 100 residents participated in the first phase of the initiative through discovery sessions and brainstorming activities. Actions to consider ranged from immediately doable, like reducing plastic bottles, to options that would require a longer runway such as rethinking how we manage food waste.
Thanks to a grant from the Beacon Hill Foundation, work began in March 2024 on the second phase of the initiative: building out
“The Foundation’s grant to support Beacon Hill’s sustainability efforts represents a strong statement; namely, that the Foundation fully believes in the work of the committee. The committee members, and by extension, many residents, are working diligently to ensure that Beacon Hill as an organization implements responsible practices that preserve our environment.” - Micki Benz
the formal sustainability plan including what gets measured, accountability and decisionmaking processes for the first chapter of implementation.
We are grateful for donors like Mary who made this important investment possible and for the vision of the residents who are looking to sustain our future.
“Why is this an important initiative for residents?
Let me quote an ancient Chinese proverb ‘A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step’…every little bit is important.” - Rhett Pinsky
STEERING COMMITTEE
Joe Rinkevich, Sustainability Advisor
Micki Benz, Chairperson, Beacon Hill Foundation
Matt Zimmerman, Board Trustee
Sarah Johnson, Service & Events Manager
Ashley Edwards, Marketing and Communications Director
Mary Kaneti, Resident
Rhett Pinsky, Resident
“Beacon Hill has been progressive on all fronts in my experience, and it just seems right that we should be progressive in thinking about sustainability issues in our residents’ environment too. It has also helped me consider things I can try at home. Sometimes it’s the simple things we do that go a long way to conserving the environment. For example, I tested out upcycling Romaine ends this spring. Look at the results! I made our first small salad this week. Fun and easy way to use your salad waste!” - Sarah Johnson
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED in learning more about the Community Sustainability Initiative, you may find details on our website at beaconhillgr.org/sustainability. Better yet, consider supporting these activities through donations to the Beacon Hill Foundation. Our future will be brighter because you chose to get involved.
Over the past year, the Beacon Hill Volunteer Program has experienced remarkable growth, more than doubling its number of volunteers.
Celebrating the Beacon Hill Volunteer Program
This dedicated group of volunteers has significantly enhanced the lives of Beacon Hill residents and the Grand Rapids community. From assisting with resident activities such as social teas, BINGO, and magic table games, to engaging in community outreach by knitting hats for the unhoused and decorating lunch bags for Kids’ Food Basket, their contributions are both diverse and impactful.
The Mary and Martha Guild deserves special mention for its innovative support for assisted living residents, reflecting the program’s commitment to tailored care. With summer comes a host of new volunteer opportunities, including special events and socials, promising continued engagement and enrichment.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all volunteers for their generosity and dedication. Your efforts truly make a difference.
For those interested in joining this vibrant program, please contact Life Enrichment Manager Elizabeth Tankersley at (616) 245-9179
Together, we can continue to build a supportive and thriving community.
Innovative Solutions in Dementia Care
By Andi Allen
Tucked away in one of Beacon Hill’s memory care units is an office with a view of resident activity. This is where you might find Dementia Care Coordinator, Gayle Wolffis, who has had the privilege of serving the Beacon Hill community as a social worker for 27 years.
Originally, from Fremont, Michigan, Gayle graduated from Calvin College with a degree in Social Work. She and her high school sweetheart, Tom, were married shortly after college. The Wolffis’ have one son who lives in the area and they especially enjoy time in Pentwater, Michigan.
Gayle has enjoyed a rewarding career at Beacon Hill with multiple opportunities
for career growth. Gayle’s personal quest to become a community educator for the Alzheimer’s Association benefited the Beacon Hill family as she sought to strengthen care plans for our residents and support those residents living with dementia..
The impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in our community aroused Gayle’s interest and concerns over the past few years. Gayle realized that there was growing need to provide awareness of signs and symptoms of dementia to families. Dementia education and programming has been a constant conversation as a team and Gayle knew that we could build a better program to strengthen our care teams and community members.
GOALS FOR DEMENTIA CARE AT BEACON HILL
• Improve quality of life for people living with dementia by increasing their well being and spontaneity through meaningful activities and personcentered programming.
• Decrease care team stress through increased knowledge and skills specific to dementia.
• Increase family and community volunteer knowledge and skills through dementia training.
Gayle shared facts about dementia with me that were enlightening such as 1 in 3 seniors die with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. “Dementia” is an umbrella term for loss of memory and other thinking abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. Gayle pursued outside resources as she studied the needs and opportunities to develop a successful 5-star program.
Through a Beacon Hill Foundation scholarship grant, Gayle and Life Enrichment manager Elizabeth Tankersley were able to attend a national conference on Dementia Support. Tools and techniques from this center for innovation re-energized the team, our approach to care, and education. Additional Foundation grants sponsored education for staff and families for a new program called “Dementia by Day” and forward-thinking strategies across the campus. Specific tools to enhance opportunities for care teams, volunteers, and families for engaging with loved ones were implemented too.
I asked Gayle for her experienced perspective on how we sustain changes over her time at Beacon Hill. Her uplifting response was:
“Love for residents by the care teams has remained the same. The staff’s focused hospitality training over the past few years has elevated every aspect of this residential community.”
Personally, I am grateful for Gayle’s willingness to pursue solutions and for her determination to elevate resident care. In addition, I am proud that donors like you made many of these solutions possible through gifts to the Beacon Hill Foundation. Thank you for your interest in educational opportunities and for the gifts that make innovative solutions possible for our senior residential community.
Alzheimer’s Facts
• Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
• Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with dementia
• 70% of dementia caregivers feel stressed when coordinating care
• Dementia kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined
• For more information, visit alz.org/facts
An Annual Tradition for the Grand Rapids Community
In what has become a beloved annual tradition, the Concerts on the Green at Beacon Hill summer concert series returns in 2024.
The concert series, which began in 2016, is free and open to the public. Now in its 9th year, the series draws residents, members of the neighborhood, staff, and supporters to the front lawn of Beacon Hill at Eastgate to hear local bands and artists.
The Beacon Hill Foundation invites you to join us again this summer for our family-friendly series. Bring a lawn chair, pack a picnic (or grab a meal from The Traveling Plate), and enjoy plenty of snow cones and popcorn while watching the performances.
“One of the key components of life at Beacon Hill is connection with the neighborhood community,” says Libby Wahlstrom, Executive Director of the Beacon Hill Foundation. “The concert series is a great way for us to connect with our Eastgate neighbors and to enjoy the community spaces.”
This year’s lineup includes:
P Wednesday, July 10
The River Rogues performing traditional jazz.
P Wednesday, August 14
Edye Evans Hyde Trio performing a blend of pop, jazz and blues.
P Wednesday, September 11
John Nowak Trio performing traditional rock and alternative.
Plus, Beacon Hill’s food truck, The Traveling Plate, will offer a rotating menu of delicious meals and refreshments for purchase from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
All meals prepared by The Traveling Plate are carefully curated using fresh ingredients from Beacon Hill’s half-acre community garden and local purveyors.
We look forward to seeing you on the green!
Leaving Your IRA to Beacon Hill Foundation
Protect Family. Support Ministry.
Many people make the mistake of leaving their IRA, 401(k) or other retirement funds to family. Then, they give entirely different gifts from their will to charity.
In most cases, this is the exact opposite of what should happen. When you leave your retirement funds to family, you create a taxable event. This gift will be treated as income when they withdraw the funds, and your loved ones will be taxed accordingly.
However, by giving these funds to Beacon Hill Foundation, you eliminate the tax bill and provide meaningful support for the Beacon Hill community that means so much to you. Then, you can give more tax-efficient gifts from your will to your loved ones.
How do you give retirement funds to the Beacon Hill Foundation? It’s quite simple.
You can…
• Designate Beacon Hill Foundation as a beneficiary on the forms provided by your account manager, specifying the percentage you want to give.
OR
• If you would like to spread your retirement funds among multiple charities, connect with the Beacon Hill Foundation team to discuss cost effective options available to you. We will show you how you can take advantage of complimentary estate planning services through our partnership with the Barnabas Foundation.
Is leaving your retirement funds to Beacon Hill Foundation the right giving option for you?
Call Libby Wahlstrom at (616) 608-8285 or email libby.wahlstrom@beaconhillgr.org to learn more.
Tax ID 30-0856751
Legacy Giving to Sustain our Future
Polly and Dave McCoy made Beacon Hill their home in 2014. Together they made an incredible impact on our music and art programming. David passed away earlier this year and Polly recently shared reflections on their life together.
The McCoys met at Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio and were married 71 years ago. While Dave served in the United State Air Force Bands as a bandsman at Selfridge AFB, Michigan, Polly continued her teaching career in General Science for elementary and middle school students.
The McCoy family grew as they moved for various education and teaching opportunities. Polly says that they are very proud of their five children, ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren!
Beacon Hill living has been well loved by the McCoys as they have been able to make new friends (and keep the old!) and spearhead music or art focused activities within their community. At the same time, Polly remembers that together, they especially enjoyed events from the “Celebrating the Arts” Sunday music series.
Polly and Dave gave back to their home church, East Congregational, and various music organizations for years. They decided that giving back to the place that they call home was important, too. As members of the Beacon Hill Foundation Legacy Society, they are making sure future generations can
enjoy life at Beacon Hill as much as they have. We are grateful that we have been able to acknowledge this gift from the McCoys directly.
Thank you to our Legacy Society members whose gifts from their estate planning will ensure that the Beacon Hill community will continue to be enriched physically, socially and spiritually. Estate planned gifts from donors like you could be the biggest gift of all!
Let us thank you too!
1919 Boston Street, SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506
616-608-8285
bhfoundation@beaconhillgr.org
Tax ID 30-0856751
Mission
Ensuring that Beacon Hill at Eastgate continues to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of its residents, has adequate resources for development of its campus and facilities, and remains an integral part of the Eastgate neighborhood.
BEACON HILL FOUNDATION BOARD
Jeffrey Huegli, President
Micki Benz, Chairperson
Skip Knapp III, Treasurer
Cheryl Blair, Trustee
Carl Dufendach, Trustee
Mary McLoughlin, Trustee
Jim Rauwerda, Trustee
Christine Visner, Trustee
BEACON HILL FOUNDATION STAFF
Libby Wahlstrom, Executive Director
THOUSAND OAKS GOLF CLUB
WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR OUT ON THE GREENS FOR OUR 21ST ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC.
What a beautiful day for our 225 players, who together raised over $105,000 for the Beacon Hill Foundation.
Championship Circle Sponsors: Pinnacle Construction Group
