The Vermeer Charitable Foundation and members of the family that established and continue to operate Vermeer Corporation have been honored for their generational support of the Calvin Theological Seminary.

The seminary’s inaugural Legacy Award, specifically designed to recognize and cultivate philanthropic and charitable giving from one generation to the next, was presented to members of the Gary and Matilda Vermeer family and the Harry and Bernice Vermeer family and officers and directors of the company’s Charitable Foundation during a recent scholarship and donor dinner.

The Vermeer faith-infused philosophy and tradition of charitable giving was highlighted at the dinner. Accepting the award on behalf of the families were Bob Vermeer, the company’s Chair Emeritus and President of the Vermeer Charitable Foundation, and Derek De Haan, a grandson of Harry Vermeer and a director of the foundation.

Bob Vermeer acknowledged that his parents, Gary and Matilda, had impressed upon their children and grandchildren the importance of supporting Christian causes. “We knew that if we were blessed we should give to others,” he said.

De Haan noted that his grandparents, Harry and Bernice Vermeer, helped “instill that idea of a generous heart. God calls us to be generous to others. It’s not ours to begin with. It’s His. We’re using God’s gifts to make an impact in His kingdom.”

Calvin Seminary President Jul Medenblik said the institution he leads has benefited from the Vermeer family support for three generations, and pointed to a long list of programs and initiatives that the Vermeer families or the Foundation have helped seed and flourish.

“The Vermeer families and the Vermeer Charitable Foundation have been stellar and strategic partners for us over the past 65 years,” said Medenblik. “It is the seminary’s hope that this Legacy Award brings glory to God and inspires many other families to practice biblical stewardship and model extravagant giving for their children and for the generations still to come.”

Calvin Theological Seminary, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was founded in 1876 to train leaders for ministry and mission on behalf of the Christian Reformed Church in North America.