Uncle Charlie’s Legacy - Keys for Kids Ministries.pdfVIP

March 9, 2014 | I Can Do All Things Through Christ Uncle Charlie’s Legacy Lifting Up His Voice for 8 Decades BY DANNY SUMMERS harlie VanderMeer But VanderMeer’s association is an ambassador with the ministry—based in at-large with Grand Rapids, Michigan—dates C Children’s Bible Hour back eight decades to the early Ministries. It’s a position he’s 1940s, when he was an audience held since 1999. member during a live broadcast. Better known as “Uncle Charlie” to millions of kids—young and old —around the world, VanderMeer may not be as active as he once was, but his impact is still felt in immeasurable ways. “Charlie has slowed down a bit in the last couple of years, but he still answers a lot of emails, counsels with people in prison, mentors our staff and works on our radio programs,” said Terre Ritchie, Charlie and his puppets, Grandpa executive director of CBH Ministries. and Wally. “I don’t see him ever totally retiring.” VanderMeer, 79, is somewhat of a creature of habit. After all, he’s attended the same church in Grand For many years, VanderMeer Rapids all of his life—except when he would reward children who was a student at Bob Jones University completed their first year with the in Greenville, South Carolina. He and Children’s Bible Hour choir by taking his wife, Bette, have lived in the same them to lunch on his 1100cc Honda home for more than 50 years. Gold Wing motorcycle. “T