Dear Friends,
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Beacon Hill Foundation. We are thrilled to be celebrating this milestone with all of you — our friends, supporters, residents, and community partners.
While we’re celebrating 10 years as an official foundation, our commitment to philanthropy goes back to the very formation of Michigan Christian Home in the 1950s. In the earliest days of the organization, our founders used generous donations to establish what has now become the Benevolent Care Fund. Since that time, that fund has granted more than $5M in funds to ensure residents can stay in their homes even if their financial circumstances change. Isn’t that an incredible legacy that we all share?
In this issue of Connections, we celebrate our past with an article on the history of generosity within this incredible community. And we look to what comes next with donors like Karen and Michael Silverstein who are helping us plan for the future with a gift in their estate plans.
Please join us as we continue to celebrate our 10th anniversary with special events and special stories throughout the year. With your support, we can look ahead with excitement and optimism as the Foundation continues to grow to serve our residents, our community, and all who engage in our beloved Beacon Hill.
Micki Benz Chairperson of the Beacon Hill Foundation
(616) 608-8285
In gratitude,
Above: Resident Jerry Miller
Below: Cozy Corners, at Michigan Christian Home
Everyone’s invited to our annual Concerts on the Green, sponsored by the Beacon Hill Foundation.
Join us out front of Beacon Hill on the front lawn this summer.
All concerts begin at 7:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 9
Selkie (Celtic Concert)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13
Edye Evans Hyde Trio
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Seating for residents is available, all other concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Mike Lutley Quintet featuring Mary Rademacher Save the Date!
A Family Legacy of Love and Giving at Beacon Hill
The Miller family story is deeply intertwined with Beacon Hill at Eastgate, a community that has been central to their lives for decades. This connection has fostered generosity through gifts to the Foundation, which will impact residents both now and well into the future.
Jerry Miller was the first member of his family to call Beacon Hill home. The oldest of four children, Jerry grew up in nearby Boston Square with his parents, Lucy and Ferris, and his sisters, Karen, Bonnie and Judy. Jerry was born blind, but from a young age, showed incredible resilience in adapting to his surroundings. He learned how to navigate the world around him, taking the bus on his own and even shoveling snow to clear the driveway and sidewalks. He learned braille at Ottawa High School and attended the School for the Blind in Lansing. After retiring in 1994 from a career at DECC, he moved to Welcome Home for the Blind, or WHTFB, a senior living community specifically designed for individuals who are visually impaired.
When the closure of WHTFB was announced in 2004, its team worked with the community to find homes that best fit residents’ individual care plans. In 2005, Jerry was one of 10 residents from WHTFB to move to Michigan Christian Home, which became Beacon Hill at Eastgate in 2007. Once the match was made, the community came together to prepare Beacon Hill — painting rooms, adjusting call
cords and doing whatever else would help the new residents feel more comfortable and independent. The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired also took the time to educate Beacon Hill staff on how to guide residents in their new environment, ensuring they felt supported every step of the way. From the start, Jerry’s family was grateful Beacon Hill became his new home. With the whole family living nearby, they were able to stay close and support him in a familiar environment.
Lucy and Ferris, Jerry’s parents, moved to Beacon Hill in subsequent years. Lucy moved into Assisted Living in 2007 after a brief hospital stay, and Ferris, a lifelong “fix-it” person and retired railroad electrician, moved in the following year. The Millers appreciated the independence Jerry had, as he was able to make his own friends and enjoy Beacon Hill independently while still being close to his parents. The loving son he is, Jerry would often push Ferris in his wheelchair to visit Lucy when she was in Skilled Nursing.
“Beacon Hill has truly been a blessing, and we want to give back to this incredible community so it can continue supporting families like ours.”
MICHAEL SILVERSTEIN
The Miller family’s connection to Beacon Hill has always been strong, not just because they are the only family to have all lived at Beacon Hill at the same time, but because of their charismatic presence in the community. For many years, the day room in Assisted Living was affectionally called the “Miller Room” because the extended family would gather to celebrate birthdays and other milestones. Jerry’s sister, Karen, still has the “Miller Family Gathering” signs the staff posted on the door and some of the notes Lucy wrote to the kitchen staff detailing what beverages everyone would prefer. Ferris, who was initially concerned he wouldn’t have
anything to do when he moved to Beacon Hill, quickly found many ways to integrate into the community. He made it a point to attend every outing he could, especially trips to Frederik Meijer Gardens. When Lucy died in 2012 and Ferris in 2013, it was a loss felt by many throughout the community.
The Miller family continues to honor Lucy and Ferris’ legacy here. Jerry is an active member of the Beacon Hill community, attending many program offerings. As a recipient of support from the Beacon Hill Benevolent Care Fund, Jerry will be able to stay at Beacon Hill even if his financial circumstances change. Jerry and his family are deeply grateful for the generosity of the donors that make that possible. They have peace of mind knowing he is well cared for. Jerry, now 83, is the last surviving resident from WHTFB.
Volunteerism and giving back have consistently been part of the Miller family’s values. Jerry’s sister Karen and her husband, Michael Silverstein, brought these same values to their experience at Beacon Hill. They are active volunteers in the West Michigan community, having donated more than 1,000 hours to Kids Food Basket in the last four years. They even introduced a volunteer project for residents to decorate bags for the kids’ meals. Mike and Karen’s involvement has created a lasting impact, encouraging residents to get involved in activities and engage with their neighbors.
Michael and Karen, along with Jerry’s other sisters Bonnie and Judy, lovingly manage Jerry’s care and are well known at Beacon Hill, having built strong, lasting connections with both staff and residents. In 2024, Michael and Karen became members of the Beacon Hill Legacy Society, reflecting their gratitude for the
The Miller Family
unwavering care provided to their family. They wanted to give back, ensuring others would benefit from the same service they received.
“Beacon Hill has truly been a blessing, and we want to give back to this incredible community so it can continue supporting families like ours,” Michael says. “The care our family has received has been the best, bar none. We are so fortunate and blessed to have family at Beacon Hill.”
Michael and Karen’s commitment to the Beacon Hill Foundation extends beyond financial support — they also deeply appreciate the faith-based care and unmatched service, which they believe “make such a difference.” The Silverstein’s have included Beacon Hill in their estate plan, ensuring their legacy will continue to make a difference for generations ahead.
“Giving back is just what we’re supposed to do,” Karen explains. “It’s at the heart of Beacon Hill’s culture and mission, and we want to give back as a way of expressing our gratitude for the support it has given to our family.”
The Miller and Silverstein story is one of deep connection, where family and community blend seamlessly, and giving back is part of the legacy they are building for the future. By joining the Legacy Society, Karen and Michael made a lasting commitment to Beacon Hill, ensuring the care and love that helped their family will continue to support others for years to come.
Ferris and Lucy Miller
Jerry Miller and Mchael Silverstein (foreground) walking the dog.
Give and Receive Income for Life
You can support the Beacon Hill community in a major way AND receive steady income payments for life.
SOUND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?
A growing number of our supporters can confirm what they’ve already discovered. Life income gifts are a wonderful, no-catch solution for those who want to give more but are concerned about having enough income.
A life income gift can be established by giving cash, or you can give non-cash assets that you no longer need or care to manage (such as rental property or a vacation home).
You’ll receive an immediate tax deduction at the time of your gift, and then steady payments for a lifetime (or a designated number of years). The remainder of your gift will support the important work of the Beacon Hill Foundation, helping ensure that the physical,
social, and spiritual needs of our seniors are met with compassion and excellence.
READY TO LEARN MORE?
Through Beacon Hill Foundation’s partnership with the Barnabas Foundation, you have access to trusted professionals who can guide you on life income gift options.
Discover whether life income gifts are the right solution for you.
Contact the Beacon Hill Foundation at bhfoundation@beaconhillgr.org or call (616) 608-8285 to learn more.
Foundation Celebrates 10 Years of Forming Connections & Giving Back
Although we are celebrating the Beacon Hill Foundation’s 10th anniversary in 2025, our spirit of benevolence, love and philanthropy first took root six decades ago when a group of Baptist faithfuls created Michigan Christian Home, a place for ministers and missionaries to retire with dignity and support. From the earliest days of this organization, our commitment to service and support has provided comfort and security to many, creating a lasting legacy of compassion and generosity.
Since its founding in 1959 as Michigan Christian Home, Beacon Hill at Eastgate has been a sanctuary for those in need. The mission has always been to provide a safe and nurturing place for residents to
call home as they age. Our benevolent care fund started from the very beginning, with the original board members and their wives working to raise funds to support those whose financial resources were exhausted.
As the organization grew, so did the needs. In 1959, the wives of the founders of Michigan Christian Home formed the Auxiliary to provide care to residents when and where it was needed, offering everything from transportation and entertainment for residents to financial and spiritual support. One of their most beloved programs, a weekly shopping service that travelled from room to room, allowed residents to pick out small gifts like toiletries, paper goods, greeting cards, candy and gum, creating moments of joy in their day. Over time, this led to the creation of the “Cozy Corner,” a more permanent sundries shop that offered residents an opportunity to shop anytime. The proceeds funded the women’s Auxiliary special projects for Michigan Christian Home.
Above: Early days of Michigan Christian Home. Above right: Portrait of co-founder Ed Daverman and his wife Marjorie.
As the years passed, Michigan Christian Home was blessed with heartfelt gifts from the estates of former residents. Ed Daverman , one of the co-founders of Michigan Christian Home who served on the board for more than 30 years, helped accumulate the gifts into the Mary and Martha Fund to support pastors and missionaries. The fund became what we know as the Benevolent Care Fund , a critical part of Beacon Hill’s mission that gives hope to those with limited financial resources.
“Drawing on the biblical story of hospitality Jesus experienced in the home of his friends, they created the Mary and Martha Fund, which was designed to help the missionaries and pastors if they ran out of resources to live here,” Beacon Hill Board Chairman Carl Dufendach explains. “That fund grew and was the beginning of today’s Foundation.”
Dufendach and others saw the benefit of establishing a separate foundation to benefit the organization, which changed its name to Beacon Hill at Eastgate in 2007 to better reflect the breadth of living options it provides and its home in the Eastgate neighborhood of Grand Rapids.
“While the name has changed, our commitment hasn’t,” Dufendach explains. “We still recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That’s really the motivation for why we do what we do — and why I’m on the board. I want to exemplify the servant’s heart Jesus calls for. That gives me the energy to be involved.
“But we don’t discriminate based on faith. We have people of all faiths who now live in Beacon Hill. We are unabashedly Christian, but we minister to everyone, just as Jesus taught us to do.”
In 2015, Beacon Hill took a significant step by establishing the Beacon Hill Foundation. By becoming our own entity, the Foundation grew stronger, more recognizable and better able to connect with donors who shared our vision. This transformation allowed us to expand our efforts in raising charitable contributions, accept larger estate gifts, and create additional funds that support essential aspects of the Beacon Hill community.
While the Benevolent Care fund is the most prominent fund of the Beacon Hill Foundation, significant donor gifts have led to the creation of additional Foundation funds over the last 10 years, including chaplaincy, arts and community, campus improvements, and employee scholarships. These funds continue to grow each year and provide meaningful opportunities to support our community, our campus, our residents, and our team.
Beacon Hill demonstrates its dedication to community engagement by offering a wide range of opportunities to connect to the Eastgate community — from seminars to free annual concerts, to enjoying its restaurants, walking paths, auditorium and other shared spaces. It’s a wonderful reminder that Beacon Hill is part of a larger, interconnected community that thrives through shared experiences.
Our capital fund through the Foundation has allowed Beacon Hill to take on significant projects that would otherwise not be possible. A prime example is the Charles Van Namen Family Bridge , which links the Independent Living building to the Assisted Living and Memory Support building. Completed in 2018 through the support of generous donations, the $650,000 pedestrian bridge symbolized Beacon Hill’s unwavering commitment to thoughtfully creating spaces where residents across the continuum of care can remain engaged with each other and with their loved ones, fostering lasting connections.
The Community House , completed in 2019, includes the Garden Café and Auditorium which has quickly become a cherished venue for wonderful performances that celebrate the artistic interests in the community. Thanks to the generosity of donors, Beacon Hill has hosted an impressive lineup of events featuring talented renowned artists and musicians. In the same year, the chapel was beautifully enhanced with stained-glass doors , a gift from a former chaplain and other caring donors. The doors’ artwork was designed by resident Sue Weiss and was inspired by the biblical reference of water as an ever-present life force, a powerful symbol of salvation.
Chaplaincy has always been a cornerstone of our mission. Initiatives like the Chaplaincy Fund empower Beacon Hill’s chaplains to expand their program and enhance their
impact on residents and members of the community. Education also plays an equally important role. Made possible by donors, the Beacon Hill Employee Scholarship Fund allows team members to grow professionally through specialized training, workshops and continuing education. This investment not only helps team members thrive, but it also enriches the lives of residents, enhancing their experience every day.
Through the steadfast support of the donors and the dedication of team members, the Foundation ensures Beacon Hill continues to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of its residents, has adequate resources for the development of its campus and remains an integral part of the Eastgate neighborhood.
As we celebrate the Foundation’s incredible 10-year anniversary, we want to extend our sincere gratitude. Together, we’ve made an impact on the lives of our residents and members of our community. We are truly grateful to continue making a meaningful difference for years to come.
Left: Resident artist Sue Weiss stands next to her stained-glass artwork on the Chapel doors. Above: VanNamen and Wanner families at the Bridge opening in 2018.
In Memory of:
Mrs. Clara Adams
Mrs. Ruth Stephens
Mrs. Sharon Amluxen
Mrs. Ruth Stephens
Mrs. Barbara Bierens
Dr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara Greschaw
Mr. and Mrs. Ron and Anne Renfer
Mrs. Jeanne Carpenter
Mr. Robert Carpenter
Mrs. Margery Clark
Mr. and Mrs. Marv Middleton
Dr. Paul Clodfelder
Dr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara Greschaw
Ms. Harriet Cook
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Dr. and Mrs. Dacho and Ruth Dachoff
Mr. and Mrs. Russell and Christine Visner
Mr. Stan Dole
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Mrs. Ruth Stephens
Mrs. Polly McCoy
Mrs. Karen Dufendach
Mr. Carl Dufendach
Rev. Sara Fetty
Rev. Maurice Fetty
Dr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara Greschaw
Mr. and Mrs. Ron and Anne Renfer
Dr. Ray Fuller
Mr. Donald Ekdom
Dr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara Greschaw
Mrs. Gloria Haebich
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Lorey Peterson
Mr. and Mrs. Ron and Anne Renfer
Mrs. Pat Sommerdyke
Mrs. Ruth Stephens
Mrs. Evelyn Goff
Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Karen Silverstein
Mr. Duane Guest
Mr. Jim Peterson
Mr. George Green
Mr. and Mrs. Wally and Lee Huebner
Mrs. Nancy Gordon
Mrs. Elizabeth Gordon
Mrs. Lois Lanning
Mrs. Marilyn Hosford
Ms. Lana Anastasopoulos
Mr. and Mrs. Marc and Gillian Borkowski
Ms. Melissa Kidd
Mrs. Carole Korfker
Ms. Cathy Winterhalter
Mrs. Pat Krause
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Mrs. Mary Kuieck
Mr. and Mrs. John and Nancy Kuieck
Mr. and Mrs. James and Mary Wood
Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Kimberly Worth
Mrs. Colleen Hertha Marasus
Mrs. Ruth Stephens
Ms. Joan McCloskey
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Mr. David McCoy
Mr. and Mrs. Ken and Marcia Baker
Ms. Janet Bennett
Mrs. Ruth Blair
Mr. Robert Carpenter
Mrs. Elizabeth Dole
Mr. Donald Ekdom
Mrs. Carol Garey
Dr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara Greschaw
Mrs. Gloria Haebich
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Mrs. Nancy Jager
Mr. William Korfker
Mrs. Florence Koster
Mrs. Jean Larson
Mrs. Mary Lou Morrow
Mrs. Harriet Nelson
Mrs. Mary Ann Papp
Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Lorey Peterson
Mrs. Jean Springer
Mrs. Ruth Stephens
Mrs. Ruth Van Eeuwen
Mrs. Nola Wetherbee
Ms. Rosemary Zant
Mrs. Eileen Meyer
Mrs. Carol Garey
Mr. John Morrow
Mr. James Vaughan
Mrs. Phyllis Penny
Mrs. Gloria Haebich
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Mr. Ted Pasma
Anonymous
Mr. Thomas Raar
Ms. Helma Rice
Dr. Christopher Van Deven
Mrs. Susan Scherphorn
Mr. Robert Scherphorn
Henry O. Taylor
Ms. Karen Jones
Mrs. Ellen Truesdale
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Janine Osterwald
Dr. David Van Dyke
Dr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara Greschaw
Mrs. Ruth Stephens
Dr. and Mrs. Chuck and Philippa Webb
Mrs. Jan Werner
Mr. Bill Werner
Mr. Paul Wetherbee
Mr. Paul De Jong
Mr. Donald Ekdom
Dr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara Greschaw
Mrs. Gloria Haebich
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Mrs. Lois Lanning
Ms. Courtney Moelker
Mrs. Mary Lou Morrow
Mr. and Mrs. Martin and Loretta Peterson
Mrs. Eunice Raar
Mr. and Mrs. Ron and Anne Renfer
Mrs. Florence Silverstein
Mrs. Pat Sommerdyke
Mrs. Ruth Stephens
Mrs. Nola Wetherbee
Ms. Ruth Wierenga
Dr. and Mrs. Randy and Barbara Greschaw
Mr. Michael Williams
Mrs. Carol Hagadorn
Mrs. Carol Witteveen
Ms. Lois Groenenboom
Ms. Betsy Williams
In Honor Of:
Ms. Mary Grant
Mr. Michael Grant
Rev. Karl Pike
Ms. Ellen Reed
Mrs. Sonia Speakman
Ms. Sheree Speakman Giuntoli
BEACON HILL FOUNDATION
Micki Benz Chairperson
Cheryl Blair
Trustee
Carl Dufendach
Trustee
Jeffrey Huegli
President
Skip Knapp III
Treasurer
Mary McLoughlin
Trustee
Jim Rauwerda
Trustee
Christine Visner
Trustee
Mission
Ensuring