Bob Vermeer, far left, and Gerry Van Dyke, recipient of the Bob Vermeer Spirit of Caring Award on the far right, flank organization recipients of the award’s $2,500 donation – Rhonda Pool representing Heart of Worship’s Heart to Heart Food Pantry, Carna DeJong representing Lynnville Fire Department, and Kyra Smith representing Lynnville-Sully Community Education Foundation.
Gerry Van Dyke of rural Lynnville has been honored with the Bob Vermeer Spirit of Caring Award. Van Dyke, who is a 27-year employee of Vermeer, has spent the last 11 years as a customer support manager.
The Bob Vermeer Spirit of Caring Award is given annually and recognizes recipients’ compassion for others and involvement at work and with communities, and volunteer and other philanthropic efforts. Vermeer is a company built on principles and putting people first, and this practice has built an important culture. The Bob Vermeer Spirit of Caring Award celebrates that culture and the team members who are practicing the people-first culture beyond the Vermeer offices and factory floors.
One example of Van Dyke’s passion for helping others is a project he spearheaded with his coworkers’ help. Van Dyke and his Vermeer team members joined forces after the tragic and sudden passing of Vermeer chaplain Troy Schaffer. Together they raised over $4,000 that went towards home improvements just in time for a graduation party for the late chaplain’s daughter. “This was something I and others were passionate about, really due to a young family who just lost their dad,” said Van Dyke. “We felt we needed to do something special since the father could no longer get his home ready for the special occasion.”
A coworker who nominated Gerry for the Bob Vermeer Spirit of Caring Award said, “Gerry does a fabulous job of reaching out to his team members, demonstrating his love and compassion for his team members, and what he does to show that he cares and be involved in their life.”
Along with the award recognition, Van Dyke was given $2,500 to donate to causes near to his heart.
He chose to give $1,000 to the Lynnville Fire Department to put towards the purchase of a new truck, $1,000 to the Heart of Worship Heart to Heart Food Pantry, and $500 to the Lynnville-Sully Community Education Foundation. The $500 given to the LSCEF will be used for a scholarship for the Class of 2021 called the Bob Vermeer Spirit of Caring Manufacturing Scholarship. It will be given to a student wanting to continue their education within the manufacturing or fabrication industry after graduation. Van Dyke, along with Bob Vermeer, met with the local recipients on Thursday, Dec. 2, to distribute the checks.
In addition to being a pillar of character in his workplace, Van Dyke is also known for his philanthropic efforts in the community. For the last six years, Van Dyke has served on the Lynnville-Sully School Board of Education. For the past several years, Van Dyke has chaired the fundraising efforts of the L-S Athletic Boosters. He also actively serves as a volunteer in a number of community and church events. Van Dyke and his wife Jill have four children – Kyle, Kayla, Krystal, and Klayton.
“I’m fortunate to get this award but I’m really just a small piece of the overall caring and culture that goes on at Vermeer for our employees,” said Van Dyke.
