Societies

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation offers two societies for those who have made significant contributions to the Foundation. Members qualify for permanent recognition at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and are invited to the annual Donor Recognition event.

Bonsai Society

Those who have cumulative monetary gifts and/or pledges in estate plans of $100,000 or more to the Foundation are members of the Bonsai Society.

To qualify for membership with an estate gift pledge, donors must submit a copy of the gift provision in their estate plan, or have other written documentation, verifying that the $100,000 minimum has been met.

If a donor's plan calls for a percentage of the estate's remainder, and the amount will meet or exceed $100,000, a written statement from the donor's estate planner, tax consultant, or attorney would meet the requirement for membership.

Members
  • Kenneth Bandstra
  • Karl F. & Patricia J. Betz
  • William & Laurie Boer
  • John D. & Marian F. Bouwer
  • Dr. David G. Dvorak & Ms. Karol J. Peterson
  • Eileen DeVries Family Foundation
  • Fred Fichter
  • Dirk Hoffius
  • Joan Hoffman
  • Earl & Donnalee Holton
  • Sarah & Michael Julien
  • C. Thomas & Evelyn Kapteyn
  • Thomas Peter Kapteyn
  • Mary Ann Keeler
  • Ray Loeschner
  • David R. & Mary Ann Mapes
  • Edward & Diana Marsilje
  • Doug Meijer & Kendall Meijer Foundation
  • Lena Meijer
  • Hank & Liesel Meijer
  • Thomas P. Merchant & Glen W. Johnson
  • Daniel W. Miller & Susan L. Wright-Miller
  • In Memory of Don & Dorothy Hoyt Pingree
  • John & Gail Nowak
  • Richard & Valerie Peacock
  • June Prein
  • Milt & Barbara Rohwer
  • Bernie & Rose Rosenthal
  • Peter* & Joan Secchia
  • Lynn & John P. Vinkemulder
  • Robert Zylstra

Perennial Society

Those who have a cumulative monetary gifts and/or pledges in estate plans of $10,000 or more to the Foundation are members of the Perennial Society.

To qualify for membership with an estate gift pledge, donors must submit a copy of the gift provision in their estate plan, or have other written documentation, verifying that the $10,000 minimum has been met.

If a donor's plan calls for a percentage of the estate's remainder, and the amount will meet or exceed $10,000, a written statement from the donor's estate planner, tax consultant, or attorney would meet the requirement for membership.

Members
  • William E. Alt
  • Gasper J. Amodeo*
  • Scott E. Andrews
  • John G. & Janet Baab
  • Tammy & Howie Bailey
  • Jean W. Barkin
  • Nancy Batts
  • Charles & Debbie Beckwith
  • Ken Betz & Pat Brewer
  • Charles & Patricia Bloom
  • John Bodary
  • Fred A. Bogaert
  • Vern* & Norma* Boss
  • Paul & Cathy Boyer
  • Molly Bradshaw
  • Daniel & Barbara Braun
  • Sheri Brolick
  • Jim & Donna Brooks
  • Joan Buchanan
  • Jesse & Gia Budrick
  • Robert & Sandra Burnham
  • Kent Garden Club
  • The Works Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
  • Robert & Susan Conklin
  • Fred Cooper
  • Glen B. Corp
  • Gilbert R. & Patricia K. Davis
  • Robert & Lois De Boer
  • Daniel & Pamella DeVos
  • James & Judy DeLapa
  • Abby J. & Milo R. DeVries
  • Elizabeth Tinney Donley
  • Chris & Deanna Eckert
  • Jon C. Ferguson
  • Gregory & Kathy Forzley
  • Nancy McKenzie Frost
  • Henry G. Fuhs
  • Mark & Barbara Gerson
  • Gillett Family Foundation Trust
  • John & Nancy Gordon
  • William & Suzanne Green
  • Terry & Margie Griffith
  • Sid & Elizabeth Harkema
  • John & Gwen* Hibbard
  • Dirk & June Hoffius
  • Robert Hooker
  • David S. & Leslie A. Hooker
  • Marilyn Hunting
  • Mike & Sue Jandernoa
  • Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids
  • Charles R. & Linda H. Johnson
  • Donald & Bunny Johnson
  • Jim & Sheryl Jurries
  • Jeanne M. Kapenga
  • James & Amy Keane
  • James Keane, Jr.
  • Donald E. & Ann Kelley
  • John & Nancy Kennedy
  • Sue Kloostra
  • Wayne & Vicki Korson
  • Douglas* & Raymonde Kramlich
  • Ping & Tim Liang
  • Kathleen Maine
  • Barbara P. Marcus
  • M. Lynn Martin
  • Barbara Mayo-Johnson
  • Mac & Pinky McPherson
  • Linda & David Mehney
  • Deborah Meijer
  • Jack H. Miller
  • Daniel & Kathleen Molhoek
  • John W. Morrison
  • Richard G. & Maureen J. Morrison
  • Jeanenne Morton
  • Katharine L. Neff
  • Arlene Obetts
  • Jeff & Peg Padnos
  • Todd & Jan Polavin
  • James & Marie Preston
  • Patrick Pullen & Linda Chamberlain
  • David & Kathleen Ray
  • Robert S.* & Phyllis G. Rood
  • Shirley J. Roskam
  • Alwyn & Chris Rougier-Chapman
  • Mark Sherwood & Saralyn Coupe
  • Budge & Marilyn* Sherwood
  • Jack & Susan Smith
  • Hilary F. Snell
  • John & Judy Spoelhof Foundation
  • Jesse & Becky Stewart
  • Helen & Fred Tallmadge
  • The Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall Foundation
  • Shawn Tilstra Family
  • Marilyn Titche
  • George & Kerstin Trowbridge
  • F. Phillip Van Eyl Family
  • Frank & Sharon Van Haven
  • Connie Wenger
  • John L. & Carroll D. Wiener
  • Gwen Bolt & Dorothy Williamson
  • Stephen & Cheryl Wonch

Join

If you would like to become a member of the society, please contact Susanne Veeneman, Executive Director of the Foundation, at 616-791-3901 or susanne.veeneman@meijer.com.

2022 Annual Donor Event

Ever-Changing. Always Evolving. Constantly Blooming.

Attendees of the 2022 Society Donor Recognition Event offered these as reasons for aligning themselves in long-term ways with the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and its hard-working Foundation.

The evening kicked off with a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the Tassell-Wisner-Bottrall English Perennial Garden, a fresh space boasting more than 500 plant types. David Bottrall concluded the ceremony by posing this question: “So, how does your garden grow? It is flourishing by leaps and bounds and is in wonderful hands!”

“It just never stops moving forward,” said Ken Bandstra. He was one of approximately 100 who gathered on a lovely June evening that honored members of the Foundation’s Perennial and Bonsai Societies, comprised of donors who have contributed cumulative amounts of $10,000 and $100,000, respectively.

“I’ve been to a lot of countries and seen so many beautiful things,” Bandstra continued, “but Meijer Gardens is over the top, and it continues to impress, year after year. What I hear a lot – and I know others do, too – is that ‘What... this is in Grand Rapids, Michigan?!”

Bandstra and other guests at the reception were celebrating not only what Meijer Gardens offers in general, but specifically how it has exploded in size and stature to accommodate additional guests in more sophisticated ways via its new welcome center, learning center, amphitheater, picnic pavilion and more. “It has become a place you want to visit again and again and again,” said Ken Terpstra. “I continue to be overwhelmed with pride.”

As the gardens and sculpture collection continue to impress, many at the event marveled at the role the Foundation continues to perform in helping to grow what is now an internationally renowned attraction that welcomes nearly 700,000 annually to its stunning 158 acres.

“It’s amazing how well-capitalized it is,” said Bill Boer, Board Vice President, attending with wife, Laurie. “It’s so healthy financially, and it’s a privilege to help support the Foundation and the good work it does.”

Retired school counselor Keith Paluska, who was inducted during the evening’s program into the Perennial Society, recounted how he’d planned for years to become a significant donor to the Foundation: “My late wife Carol and I moved to the Grand Rapids' area in 1968, and one of the things that impressed us was the number of people who donate back to this city.”

“One of the things I liked best about Meijer Gardens was that I could be an active participant and become and provide a legacy – or a bridge – to future generations. Those bridges are built by donations, and now I feel as though I have personally built a bridge of my own to be enjoyed by family members who come after me.

“Now, I have a visceral connection to this amazing place. And I feel a bit responsible for all the incredible things that go on here.”

Phyllis Rood, another incoming member of the Perennial Society, echoed Paluska’s comments, tying her giving to the observation that “this is an incredible asset for our community, and on so many levels.”

Indeed, Foundation President and Director Michael Julien told those present the Foundation had grown to 59 named funds and 51 unrestricted funds since its inception. The Foundation made 9% annually on its investments over the last 10 years to provide nearly $7 million to Meijer Gardens in 2022.

M. Lynn Martin surveys the grounds through the eyes of someone who has been volunteering at Meijer Gardens for 27 years, even while surviving the effects of multiple myeloma. Her husband, Thomas Daindridge, has volunteered for 15 years. She decided to become a member of the Perennial Society after absorbing how “the thing that has kept us here are the people, and how they contribute and give back to this community.”

The evening featured remarks by David Hooker, outgoing President and CEO of Meijer Gardens, who reminded all that “we are so fortunate that Fred Meijer chose this place,” which he described as “always growing, always beautiful and always new.” He also bid a fond farewell to Lena Meijer, whom the Grand Rapids community lost in January 2022. “Lena,” he said softly, “we miss you.”