An extraordinary blessing

Always prolife, but particularly motivated by the campaign to stop public funding of abortions in the 1988 Proposal A campaign, Bernie has engaged the prolife mission with the sort of steadfast resolve of a marathon runner.

More than a decade ago, Bernie organized a fund-rasing breakfast for Right to Life of Michigan in its efforts to win Proposal A. As special-event planning goes, several hurdles needed to be cleared. First, a notable keynote speaker was needed. Bernie ambitiously sought and booked the Rev. Jerry Falwell. Next, he needed a place for breakfast–and soon. This hurdle, too, was cleared. And so it was with each challenge, as Bernie helped fill the audience with Western Michigan business leaders, he ultimately hosted an energy-filled and very successful benefit breakfast. Right to Life of Michigan went on to win Proposal A, and Bernie Mollema was on his way to many years of volunteer service with Right to Life of Michigan.

As a business leader himself (the third generation retired CEO of Mollema and Sons, a regional horticultural supply company), Bernie has been able to inspire the support of his peers in the cause of Life. His strong beliefs combined with the credibility of being a business executive have been a powerful combination in inviting others to offer their time, talent, and treasure.

"I've always believed that if we educate the people, they will understand the true tragedy of abortion," says Mollema. "Education is the key, reaching people and touching their minds and hearts. Unfortunately, this does not come free."

This core belief has kept Bernie motivated in his efforts to support the annual benefit dinner hosted by Grand Rapids Right to Life. Through this important "not-to-be-missed" community event, Bernie helps round-up table hosts, and he raises significant funds in support of the annual media impact campaign sponsored by the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund.

"By using major media we are able to reach people with our message," relates Bernie. "These are people who need to hear the prolife message, and who will not hear it in any other way unless we bring it to them on the television sets in their living rooms."

But Bernie knows that changing a culture takes a long time. Even after we restore legal protection for unborn girls and boys we will need to continue in our efforts to educate our society about the value of human life and the deception of abortion. This conviction led Bernie to enthusiastically agree to serve as a charter member on the board of trustees for the Right to Life of Michigan Educational Endowment Fund.

"We need to do all that we can today to touch hearts and save lives, but we also need to plan for tomorrow to build a foundation for our successors," Mollema states. "The Endowment Fund goes hand-in-hand with planned gift donations, to build for the future."

As part of Bernie's legacy, he has generously named the RLM Educational Endowment Fund as a beneficiary of a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) which he established. The CRT satisfied several of Bernie's goals: to provide for important charities; to establish a steady income stream for his lifetime; and to avoid unnecessary estate taxes, capital gains taxes and income taxes.

"When I understood all of the benefits, it only made sense," says Mollema. "If I could redirect money which would pay taxes, and give more to save lives, it seemed the obvious thing to do. The Lord has blessed me greatly, and this is one way of giving something back."

Bernie Mollema has been a great blessing to Right to Life of Michigan in his service and in his giving. He knows the race we run is a marathon which requires tremendous stamina. But with the stakes so high, he plans to help us not only finish the race, but to win it.

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