Children's Health, Community

Greg and Meg Willit Named Recipients of 2019 Spectrum Health Foundation Art of Giving Award

Award presented annually to individuals demonstrating extraordinary volunteer service

GRAND RAPIDS Mich., Sept. 24, 2019 – The Spectrum Health Foundation recently recognized Greg and Meg Willit as the recipients of its 2019 Art of Giving Award.

Established in 1989, this prestigious award is presented annually to individuals demonstrating extraordinary volunteer service, leadership and commitment to improving the health of our communities.

“Greg and Meg Willit go out of their way to create unique, fun, engaging and memorable ‘mission experiences,’” said Vicki Weaver, president, Spectrum Health Foundation and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation. “They exemplify compassion and loving kindness. Time and again, they lead by example, as both volunteers and philanthropists; they never ask others to do anything they are not willing to do themselves – they are true servant leaders.”

The Willits chaired the 2007 Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital/Children’s Miracle Network Annual Campaign, which took place during the $100 million capital campaign for the new Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, successfully raising more than $3 million.

Meg Willit has served on the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation Board since 2006. She provides tireless leadership growing endowment funds, bringing new donors into the Spectrum of Hope family and championing children’s cancer research. She was actively involved in fundraising for the inception of the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center and in cultivating $1 million needed to secure a matching gift from a major donor for pediatric neuroblastoma research.

Greg Willit has been involved in the work of children’s services at DA Blodgett and St. John’s for more than 26 years. He started the first Big Brothers Big Sisters golf outing many years ago. The Mill Steel Golf for Kids benefit continues today in affiliation with DA Blodgett-St. John’s and supports mentoring services.

Greg and Meg are generous, strategic and loyal donors. Meg is active as a “wish” volunteer and as a member of the Make-A-Wish Michigan Foundation Board, where she chairs the governance committee. The Willits also support Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, Grand Valley State University, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Michigan and many other community organizations.

“They open their hearts, and in turn our hearts, to improve the health of children within our communities,” Weaver said. “We are grateful they have given so much of their time and energy to help Spectrum Health and the people we serve.”

###

About the Spectrum Health Foundation
The Spectrum Health Foundation endeavors to save lives and promote health through philanthropy.  Since 1998, donors have contributed more than $500 million to bolster Spectrum Health, a not-for-profit health system comprised of 14 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.  Because of our generous donors, approximately $20 million in philanthropy is distributed annually to support of research, innovation, clinical care and other services to patients and families.

People are at the heart of everything we do, and the inspiration for our legacy of outstanding outcomes, innovation, strong community partnerships, philanthropy and transparency. Corewell Health is a not-for-profit health system that provides health care and coverage with an exceptional team of 60,000+ dedicated people—including more than 11,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and more than 15,000 nurses providing care and services in 21 hospitals, 300+ outpatient locations and several post-acute facilities—and Priority Health, a provider-sponsored health plan serving more than 1.3 million members. Through experience and collaboration, we are reimagining a better, more equitable model of health and wellness. For more information, visit corewellhealth.org.

Contact:
Tim Hawkins
Media Relations
Office: 616.486.6091
Mobile: 616.443.0361
Email: timothy.hawkins@corewellhealth.org