As it has been said many times, much is expected of those who have much to give. While many people who have been blessed with vast financial resources have done much to help those less fortunate, few have been able to match what Dick DeVos has done for folks in Michigan.
As the former CEO of Amway, Dick DeVos has always been a person at the forefront of helping others improve their lives. From working to start a charter school aimed at helping students interested in aviation to partnering with business leaders in the state to ensure downtown business districts were not devastated by various construction projects, Dick DeVos has always been determined to help others have wonderful lives.
However, it has been through his efforts with the DeVos Family Foundation where Dick DeVos has perhaps made his biggest impact with Michigan residents. Along with his interest in education, Dick DeVos has also been determined to see more residents in Michigan have access to better health care, especially children. As a result, he and wife Betsy worked with their Family Foundation to ensure a children’s hospital was built in Grand Rapids. Working with Spectrum Health System, Dick DeVos coordinated a donation of nearly $13 million to the construction of the $103 million project, ultimately seeing it to fruition. Best of all, he had the honor of seeing the hospital named after his beloved mother, Helen.
Whether he is working hand-in-hand with local schools to see how his Family Foundation can help provide money for performing arts classes, meeting with business leaders to determine how Michigan’s economy can be made stronger, or numerous other projects, Dick DeVos has no plans to slow down his efforts to help others. In fact, those who know him well realize he is just getting started.