The 43rd annual Hope/Holland Community Day celebration on Saturday, Sept. 6 will provide an opportunity to honor two of the community's leading public servants.

Holland police chief John Kruithoff and Holland fire chief Dan Henderson will each be retiring at the end of the year having served the public a combined 67 years.  They will be honored at halftime of Saturday's Hope versus Illinois Wesleyan University football game.

John Kruithoff has served Holland his entire law enforcement career, beginning as a patrol officer in 1975 and serving as police chief since 1996.  Dan Henderson began his firefighting career in 1974 in Sturgis, Mich. and has been Holland's fire chief since 1988.

"We aknowledge with gratitude the considerable positive impact of John Kruithoff and Dan Henderson on the City of Holland and Hope College these many years," said Hope President Jim Bultman. "Their efforts have been both visionary and responsive in regards to the college and its proximity within the Holland city." 

Members of the Holland police and fire departments and their families will be the guests of Hope College at the Community Day picnic which proceeds the football game.

Community Day, a Hope/Holland tradition since 1966, celebrates the long-standing relationship between Holland residents and the faculty, students and staff of Hope College. 

Tickets for Community Day, which include the picnic, football game and admission to the city's WindmillIsland, coast $7.50 for regular admission and $4 for children age five to 11, with admission free for children under five.

Advance tickets may be purchased at the DeVos Fieldhouse, 222 Fairbanks Ave., weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Tickets will also be sold at the picnic on the day of the event. 

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