PARTNERS in Legacy I’ve always valued relationships, but the pandemic made me see their importance even more. I know many people share that appreciation. What influence have our family, friends and colleagues had on our lives? Grand Rapids Community Foundation is built on the legacy of caring for others, and this will continue in the next 100 years.
convictions forward. A wonderful place in my heart was and still is with Sam Kravitz. I can hear Sam say, “Kid, don’t let up. Keep going. You are going to make a difference.” I was never offended when he called me “kid” because he said it in love with a tinge of humor and a twinkle in his eye. My mentors’ legacies constantly prompt me to ask, “What does success look like?”
Sue Blandford, Shirley Perkins Daniels, Pat Edison, Margaret Sellers Walker and Beverly Drake are women who greatly influenced my life. And they were my role models for decades. To me, legacy means leaving gifts of understanding, strength and hope. These women and many others certainly provided that to me.
Our donor partners are committed to leaving legacies of hope through their financial gifts. Our nonprofit partners are committed to leaving enduring messages of needed change and opportunity. Our volunteer partners, including more than 300 students who have participated in our Youth Grant Committee since it was formed in the early 1990s, are committed to addressing many issues facing our community. Their gifts of time and devotion will continue to be felt now and well into the future.
When I started at the Community Foundation in 1987, my challenge was to be heard and be taken seriously as a young, female leader. These women’s gifts were to be tenacious, firm in conviction and never silent. These leaders influenced me long before I was honored to be named the head of this Community Foundation. These women did not budge when it came time to influence, get the point across, intensify or encourage me when I wanted to let down.
I know that the legacy of compassion and caring for all is our path forward. I firmly believe that our true legacy is the difference we can make in people’s lives.
Jack Chaille, Sam Kravitz, Jim Carpenter, David LaClaire— yes, I have wonderful memories of these men who nudged me constantly while providing me the path to move ideas and
Throughout our centennial year, we will be gathering stories and aspirations to understand our community’s collective vision for the future of Kent County. This will inform our work in our next century of service and impact. Please visit GRFoundation.org/Centennial and follow us on social media @GRCommFound to learn more.