Hydro-Chem Systems marks 50 years with donation to GR Community Foundation

Hydro-Chem Systems marks 50 years with donation to GR Community Foundation
Distributions from the fund will aid and promote organizations that support the basic needs of children in Kent County, including housing, food security and health. <strong>Courtesy Hydro-Chem Systems</strong>

In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Hydro-Chem Systems donated $50,000 to the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

The Caledonia-based company earlier this month hosted a 50th anniversary celebration with employees, customers and the West Michigan community in Caledonia, and one of the ways it celebrated was by presenting a $50,000 donation to Shaun Shira, major and planned gifts director for Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

“We are honored that Hydro-Chem Systems chose the community foundation for this gift to celebrate (its) 50th anniversary,” Shira said.

Hydro-Chem designated the donation for a field of interest fund called Hydro-Chem Systems Fund for Children. Distributions from the fund will aid and promote organizations that support the basic needs of children in Kent County, including housing, food security and health.

“This being our 50th anniversary, we knew we wanted to do something special for the community we’ve called home for all of these years,” said David Presley, president, Hydro-Chem Systems. “We know this donation will go far toward helping the next generation thrive. We are humbled to achieve this milestone that many businesses don’t reach, and we hope we can play a part in another West Michigan business reaching it too.

“If we’re lucky enough, Hydro-Chem Systems hopes to be around for another 50 years, so it only felt right to invest in the future of our community. I’ve been blessed with 25 years at Hydro-Chem myself and having seen the company grow to more than 50 employees from about 10 in my time, all from a one-man operation in the beginning, is something special. West Michigan has given us a lot, and this celebration and donation were the least we could do to show how thankful we are.”

Hydro-Chem Systems

Founded in 1971, Hydro-Chem Systems is a 100% employee-owned manufacturer of fleet washing soaps and automated wash systems.

Hydro-Chem works with private fleet owners, municipalities, schools, farms, manufacturers and mobile washers across the U.S. and Canada to help them clean more in less time and increase their profit margins by lowering their cost per wash.