Mel and Alice Boonstra
Bridge Builders
“Giving has to come from the heart, and I love this community. Alice and I wanted to remember the needs of the community beyond our lifetimes.” — Mel Boonstra
Mel Boonstra, 98, truly is a Bridge Builder.
Members of our Bridge Builder Society have made a long-term commitment to the future of Holland/Zeeland. They look beyond the needs of today and prepare for the needs of tomorrow.
Not only have Mel and his late wife Alice named the Community Foundation in their estate plans, but Mel has been a key part of the Holland/Zeeland community and its growth ever since moving here in 1946.
“We came to Holland for six months on business and stayed for a lifetime,” Mel said with a smile. “Alice loved it here in Michigan. Holland/Zeeland has real family values and an entrepreneurial spirit.”
Mel initially moved to the area from Indiana to further his poultry buying business. They lived along Lake Macatawa for a year before settling in Zeeland, where Mel became an important part of the business community. He previously owned Home Fuel and Supply, Trend Clock, and Zeeland Wood Turning Works, which his son Keith now owns.
Mel has been involved with countless community efforts over the years. He served as president of the Zeeland Chamber of Commerce, Zeeland Lion’s Club, and Zeeland United Fund. He was a Zeeland City Councilman, Vice Chairman of the Zeeland Board of Public Works, and served on the Salvation Army Board of Directors. He was also instrumental in the formation of the Zeeland Community Foundation.
“It was a natural thing for me to get involved. When you’re part of a community, you have to give of your talent. If you don’t give, it’s not fair to your community,” Mel said.
Mel noted that he is proud of the growth the Community Foundation has experienced since he was initially involved. “The merging of the Holland and Zeeland Foundations was a good thing for our community. The organization has grown and progressed far beyond my expectations. It’s truly amazing. I feel blessed to be part of it.”
The Melvin S. and Alice Boonstra Fund — part of our Community’s Endowment
In addition to being Bridge Builders, Mel and Alice have supported the Community’s Endowment for a number of years. “I don’t know all of the organizations out there. Giving to the Community’s Endowment allows me to give more intelligently, more focused,” said Mel.
Mel recently established the Melvin S. and Alice Boonstra Fund in Alice’s memory. He established this fund as a named unrestricted fund so that the Community Foundation selects the grant recipients. The fund is part of our Community’s Endowment and Mel gives to it each year.
“My view is limited. There are always going to be needs out there that I don’t know about, and support for those needs has to come from somewhere. You have to look broader than your own abilities. It’s so much more effective when we give together than when we give alone.”
Originally featured in the Community Foundation’s 2014 Annual Report. While this was written by CFHZ’s Communications Manager Nicole Paquette in 2015, we believe that stories of generosity are timeless and always relevant.
Note: Mel Boonstra passed away in September 2016 at the age of 99. Mel was an optimist and a ceaseless enthusiast for anything relating to family, church, friends, and community. He genuinely loved, and was loved by, everyone around him, and he was admired for his wisdom, his integrity, and his caring nature. He had a heart for a great number of community and charitable organizations, and he generously used his leadership skills to improve these organizations.We think of Mel and Alice often, especially during golf season.
