A Brief History of the Early Risers Breakfast Club of Grand Rapids

History Is Prologue

The Breakfast Club’s illustrious past is only the benchmark for the future. A rich heritage, augmented by great programming, a delicious breakfast, and interesting conversations at our tables ensures a rewarding future.

In 1936, John A. Collins, an official with Bissell when it was located on North Monroe, felt that downtown Grand Rapids needed an organization where members could congregate, eat a breakfast, and enjoy a presentation.

Mr Collins also served as Mayor of East Grand Rapids and was on the Kent County Board of Supervisors. As members generally had responsible jobs, Mr. Collins insisted that the program end precisely at 8:30. If a speaker continued beyond that time, s/he was “given the hook.”

Mr. Collins was such an integral part of the Breakfast Club of Grand Rapids: Early Risers, that although he passed away a few years ago, he still is listed as President! What a tradition! His first successor (who served as Vice President while Mr. Collins reigned) was Judge Stuart Hoffius. He “recruited” members by ordering them to join. He remains our vice president despite the fact that he left this earth nearly 20 years ago.

The next Chief was Walter McVeigh. Walt was the consummate volunteer after an illustrious career as a Grand Rapids Fire Department firefighter. The current Secretary (the title given to the Chief Executive Officer, but again not the President) is Paul Chardoul. Paul is an Emeritus Faculty from Grand Rapids Community College.

The venues for the Breakfast Club were varied: basement of the Pantlind Hotel (the old part of the Amway Grand Plaza), Welch Auditorium (now part of the DeVos Convention Center), the Masonic Temple, the Elks Club, the current Grand River Hotel (formerly Radisson Grand Rapids), a short stay at Park Church, Women’s City Club, and most recently in the University Club (10th floor of the Fifth Third Bank Building). However, change is inevitable and the Club will be meeting for the foreseeable future at Embassy Suites on North Monroe. The format will remain as it has for many years, with great programming.

Although many members are now retired, this is a great place to network. Our members are doctors, lawyers, engineers, other professionals, and business people.

The Breakfast Club has accepted the inevitability of the Twenty-First Century and is now online to allow you to see upcoming programs, pay your quarterly dues, and take care of other administrative duties. But the real action takes place every other Wednesday morning beginning at 6:45 (Hey! We aren’t called Early Risers for nothing!)

You can be part of this illustrious history by filling out a Membership Application.