Grand Rapids Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Tom and Mickie Fox are the recipients of the 2007 Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award. The couple will be presented the award at the Community Foundation’s annual donor reception Tuesday, October 30. The event, to be held at the JW Marriott, will bring together over 500 Grand Rapids philanthropists from all walks of life who will be there to celebrate with Tom and Mickie.
The Foxes have been involved with the Community Foundation since 1990 and hold the distinction of establishing its first donor advised fund.
The Foxes were chosen to receive the Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award for the pure joy and spirit they put into their giving. “I have never met a donor as enthusiastic as Tom. He takes great pride in his role as a philanthropist and so enjoys learning about the organizations he supports. Talking with him after he’s been on a site visit or a tour reminds us about all that is good in giving,” said Diana R. Sieger, President of Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
Giving back to the community is a Fox family tradition. The Fox Jewelry stores had been involved in community causes for many years. They were avid supporters of the March of Dimes and the work they did for children. The causes the Foxes support still reflect their deep commitment to children and especially to children with illnesses and disabilities – grants from their donor advised fund include the Ronald McDonald House, D.A. Blodgett for Children, the Hope Network and many others.
Tom and Mickie have also been major supporters of health care in Grand Rapids with the major gift to St. Mary’s Health Care that created the Tom and Mickie Fox and Family Center for Advanced Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery. At the soon to be completed Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, a gift from Tom and Mickie Fox and the Fox family was the very first gift to the campaign.
Both Tom and Mickie are Grand Rapids natives and have lived and worked here all their lives. They’ve been married 52 years.
About the Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award: Each year, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation presents the Jack Chaille Community Philanthropy Award to an individual who, like the late Jack Chaille, embodies the strength of philanthropy and helps to exemplify the leadership role of the Community Foundation. The Jack Chaille Award has been given to key Foundation supporters since Jack was its first honoree in 1997.