On Wednesday, Oct. 13, representatives from Hope College and leaders from local businesses will engage in a long-standing tradition of visiting more than 200 area businesses in Holland and Zeeland seeking contributions to the Hope Fund for the 2010-11 Community Campaign.

The Community Campaign on behalf of the Hope Fund began more than 30 years ago as a way to engage community leaders with Hope faculty and staff in building and maintaining relationships between the community and the college.

In addition to those receiving personal visits on campaign day, many more businesses and friends of HopeCollege will receive letters encouraging a contribution.

Kurt Dykstra, who is mayor of Holland and an attorney with Warner Norcross & Judd, is serving as chairperson this year.

"Mayor Dykstra exemplifies leadership in our community and at HopeCollege.  Hope is the intellectual, cultural, and economic heart of Holland and our lifelong learning opportunities, attractive landscape and buildings, faith dimension, and mentoring all contribute to our well-being and our sense of community," explained Mark DeWitt, Hope's director of corporate and foundation relations.  "This campaign acknowledges the relationship between Hope College and our neighboring communities and demonstrates the value to one another.  Hope is grateful for business and industry participation in this effort through financial and volunteer partnerships."

Dykstra values the relationship between Hope and area businesses and is pleased to be heading this fundraising effort as a friend of the college, adjunct professor, and a recognized leader.

"Hope provides a sizable number of graduates - from teachers, to business leaders, to engineers - that power our talented local workforce.  Hope also adds millions of dollars in direct spending to the local economy.  Hope directly buys goods and services and adds 3,300 new consumers to our community every year.  Hope plays an important role in our economic development efforts.  I can tell you first hand that the presence of Hope College in our community was an important factor that helped attract some of our largest economic investments of which we all are proud," he said.

Revenue from the Hope Fund provides unrestricted operational support that benefits every Hope student.  It also underwrites health, counseling and career services, assists in bringing world-renowned artists, authors, musicians and lecturers to campus and generates service opportunities for its students.  Financial support of the Community Campaign and the Hope Fund makes available resources that enhance the academic mission of Hope College.