WARM HEARTH VILLAGE CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY
Warm Hearth Founders, Wybe (Vee-ba) and Marietje (Mar-ee-cha) Kroontje (Croon-cha) emigrated to America from the Netherlands following World War II. Their story and aspirations are compelling not only because of what they survived but because they were determined to build something meaningful and lasting in their new homeland.
Determined to repay the American people for their liberation, in 1974, after becoming educated and established, Dr. and Mrs. Kroontje landed on a vision for a retirement community unlike those of the current time in the U.S. They modeled Warm Hearth Village (WHV) after communities in the Netherlands where seniors were viewed as valuable assets always contributing to their family and community no matter their age or physical condition. This determination to preserve dignity and respect while ensuring seniors were viewed as valuable community resources drove the creation of a 100-year plan and mission for an innovative nonprofit community in Blacksburg.
Kroontje was a true visionary enlisting the grass roots support of friends, colleagues and community leaders with donations of time, money and land for the new development. He knew early on the importance of connections to higher education and the medical community forming relationships that have stood the test of time and evolved as the community has grown and the needs of seniors have changed.
Now, 50 years into that 100 year plan, employees at Warm Hearth Village strive to keep the Kroontje’s vision and values alive and instill them in all who become part of the Warm Hearth family.
