Our annual Whitecaps event was a great success, bringing together 194 guests for an evening that celebrated the Grace community. Thanks to the gracious underwriting from the Velting Foundation and the generosity of our event supporters, the evening raised nearly $68,000 and counting. The weather threatened early on, but it held off, giving us a beautiful evening at the ballpark surrounded by friends and supporters of Grace.
Creating Opportunity for Future Students
One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for guests to participate in several special travel auctions. Throughout the night, guests enthusiastically bid on three featured packages. A getaway for two to historic Savannah, Georgia, offered the chance to experience one of America’s most charming cities. Families competed for a four-pack adventure to the Kennedy Space Center, while golf fans had the opportunity to bid on a trip for two to the 2026 BMW Championship. We are grateful for partnerships that allow supporters to enjoy memorable experiences while helping make a Grace education more affordable for students.
Build a Legacy for Tomorrow, Transform a Life Today
President Ken Kemper took the evening as an opportunity to share an exciting new initiative, The Today and Tomorrow Fund, designed to sustain future scholarships at Grace and help students along their path to an affordable education. This fund reflects something we care deeply about, keeping our tuition among the lowest in Michigan and the Midwest, so a Grace education remains within reach for more students.
As President Kemper shared, thoughtful giving has the power to shape lives in two directions at once: meeting the needs of current students today while also building toward future generations of students who haven’t yet arrived on campus. Donors who plan their giving with this in mind are investing in both the present and the future of Grace.
A Great Game to Match a Great Cause
Adding to the excitement of the evening, the West Michigan Whitecaps delivered a 4-1 win over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 5,493 fans at LMCU Ballpark. After a quiet pitcher’s duel through the first five innings, West Michigan broke things open with two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh, while the bullpen closed the door with four scoreless innings.
It was a wonderful night at the ballpark, and we are blessed with so many generous supporters whose giving directly impacts the cost of higher education for our students. Thank you to everyone who came out, bid, gave, and celebrated with us.
If you would like to support Grace students through a gift, you can make a contribution at gracechristian.edu/give.
