BVT Gets $1 Million Dollar Check in Campaign Inspired by De Wet

TYLER – A Tyler facility for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities has received a $1 million gift from its parent company in an effort inspired by a longtime local benefactor. BCFS President and CEO Kevin Dinnin hosted over 80 Tyler community members, donors, and elected officials at a Stakeholders Luncheon for Breckenridge Village of Tyler (BVT) this past week at The Grove. In a surprise announcement, Dinnin presented a $1 million check to BVT Executive Director Kevin King to help fund the construction of new residential facilities on the BVT campus. This sizable contribution kicks off a $3 million capital campaign inspired by longtime BVT friend and advocate Pierre De Wet (pictured), who died early this year, leaving what BVT officials term a legacy of compassion and philanthropy toward BVT.

According to a BVT news release, Dinnin described the emotional moments that inspired the capital campaign, which he says can only be explained by divine intervention. At last year’s BVT Men’s Breakfast, DeWet asked for an autograph from Jimmy “The Rookie” Morris, a former major leaguer who served as the event’s keynote speaker. Jimmy penned his signature on a baseball bat, and inscribed next to it “Hebrews 11:1.” Dinnin observed the interaction and watched as DeWet immediately pulled out his smart phone to look up the meaning of the verse, which moved him to unexpectedly take the stage to address the crowd. On-the-spot, to 480 guests in attendance, he declared a fundraising goal of $3 million to build three new homes at BVT.

Three was a special number to DeWet, who authored the book “The Story of We,” a non-fiction tale of his family of three and their journey to the United States from South Africa. Hebrews 11.1 (NLT) states, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”

“When you believe in something like Pierre did – like all of us here today do – you step up and do what’s right,” said Dinnin. “Pierre was truly a good man and BVT and our residents held a special place in his heart. Today, I present this $1 million gift to honor Pierre’s surprise announcement, and help his dream for BVT come to fruition. With God, all things are possible, so our organization is stepping out in faith, inscribing Hebrews 11:1 in our hearts to guide us every step of the way.” De Wet, 61, the founder of the Kiepersol family of farming, winemaking and hospitality enterprises, died January 26 at his home of cardiac arrest.