December 2015 marked the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Paul A. Ver Hage Health Fund, a field of interest fund for health that is part of our Community’s Endowment.
In 1995, the family of Paul A. Ver Hage established the fund in memory of their late son, husband, and brother.
At the young age of 14, Paul tragically contracted the HIV virus through a tainted blood transfusion. Following his college graduation, after struggling with the disease as a teenager, Paul felt compelled to share his experience with others and embarked on a remarkable mission to educate our community about what it was like living with AIDS.
Between 1990 and 1995, Paul inspired many, speaking to more than 200 groups about his struggles in living with the disease.
He encouraged others to live full lives with a sense of urgency, and not to worry about how much time they have left in life, but to focus on what can they do with the time that they have.
Paul passed away at the age of 28, having dedicated the last five years of his life to educating high school students, teachers, church groups, and community organizations.
Over the past twenty years, Paul’s mother, Bernice has continued his mission, speaking to countless groups about her son’s experience.
Past CFHZ President Ken Peirce noted that Paul stood for the highest ideals and exemplified tremendous bravery when faced with AIDS.
“Paul would be so happy to know that the fund continues to help others. He was such a people person,” said Bernice.
– Bernice
Former Executive Director Bill Vanderbilt shared that he was a young man of great courage, inner strength, and a strong faith that helped our community become more open and caring to issues affecting others.
Since its inception, the fund has awarded over $20,000 in health-related grants to the following organizations: Bethany Christian Services, Disability Network-Lakeshore, Holland Community Health Center, Holland Free Health Clinic, Hospice of Holland, and InterCare Community Health Network.
While it has been 20 years since his passing, Paul’s legacy will live on forever in our community through the Paul A. Ver Hage Health Fund and its support for critical local health projects and programs.
Field of interest funds enable donors to identify a specific area of interest that is meaningful to them. Within that area of interest, the Foundation makes grants to nonprofits working in that specific area. To learn more about
field of interest funds, visit cfhz.org
