On Thursday, September 15, with almost 800 community leaders, donors, and nonprofit partners in attendance, the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ) hosted its annual Celebration of Philanthropy event at ME Yacht Restoration. The festive evening honored those who give where they live and enrich the community through their gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
The evening’s program shared three stories to showcase the power of giving where you live. Zeeland Farm Services, a family-owned agricultural company, prioritizes engaging each generation in charitable giving and steadfast commitment to local causes. Women of Color Give, a philanthropic giving collective, created a community for women of color who are historically underrepresented at community decision making tables and carves out a space to amplify their voices and generate collective power as they reimagine philanthropy to ensure our community is a place where all can thrive. Frank Kraai, a retired schoolteacher and lifelong resident of Holland, recently committed more than one million dollars to the creation of an ice skating rink near downtown Holland.
“Honoring the many individuals, families, organizations, and businesses who give where they live was a natural choice for our event this year,” said Mike Goorhouse, President/CEO. “At the Foundation, we’ve been privileged to have a front row seat for over 70 years as donors direct their charitable resources to local causes, creating positive lasting change in the Holland and Zeeland community. This event was an opportunity for us to celebrate not only the giving spirit of our area but also the varied ways in which that giving spirit shows up in gifts of time and talent as well as treasure.”
The celebratory atmosphere was made possible thanks to twenty one restaurant and bar partners who provided a roaming dinner, live music from Vanika Rochette and Friends, and seventy one financial sponsors including Legacy sponsor Warner Norcross + Judd.
“We are incredibly grateful for the high level of support for the Celebration of Philanthropy,” said Colleen Hill, Vice President of Development & Donor Services. “The Foundation is always working to build our Community’s Endowment and help donors achieve their charitable goals; and it’s important to have this opportunity once a year to gather and celebrate the growth of the Community Foundation and all the generous people who recognize the value in investing in local needs, issues, opportunities, neighbors, and neighborhoods.”