The Gifts of Fred & Lena Meijer

[GRDadof3]

I was just thinking about the total amount of philanthropy the Meijers (of the supermarket chain for you visitors) have given over the last couple of years, and it is staggering:

Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Meijer Nature Park at Pickerel Lake

Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Center at Spectrum

Lemmen-Holton Cancer Center at Spectrum (Meijers were the lead donors)

Civic Theatre expansion and renovation

Offering the land for the new Wildlife Park, which didn't work out, and to pledge money for the revised zoo expansion plan

The Meijer Community Rewards program through their stores

The Gerald Ford School of Public Policy at U of M

Large contributions to the Van Andel Institute and Grand Action

Did I miss any?

http://www.taemag.com/issues/articleid.170...icle_detail.asp

http://www.detnews.com/2003/project/0305/02/x03-153139.htm

http://www.giving.umich.edu/leadersbest/wi...difference.html

http://www.grbj.com/GRBJ/ArticleArchive/20.../Civic+Duty.htm

Wonder what else they have in mind for the future?

[GaryP]

Pretty incredible! I make it a point to shop there.

I hope to see them active in bringing the MSU Med School to town. That could be an incredible addition to this city; I think it would really help convert our town from the industrial/manufacturing economy to the 21st century modern economy.

Also, where would GR be without the incredible philanthropy in this community? How do other industrial towns survive or hope to evolve?

[Rizzo]

Pretty incredible!  I make it a point to shop there.   

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Home town pride at its best!

[mpchicago]

I grew up just a few blocks from the Meijer