The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness (KGC) in Farmington Hills has received a $1 million gift from the Jay Farner Family Foundation. Farner is founder and CEO of Ronin Capital Partners in Birmingham and was CEO of Rocket Cos. in Detroit.
In addition, KGC has opened its new, 2,700-square-foot multipurpose gymnasium, made possible by a $1 million gift from the Daniel J. Loepp Family Foundation.
The gym, which began construction in May, is located within the existing center and will allow KGC to increase the number of classes and programs it offers for those living with Parkinson’s, particularly the PWR! Moves (Parkinson Wellness Recovery) program.
The PWR program is a cornerstone of KGC’s evidence-based approach that focuses on improving mobility, balance, strength, and everyday movement through Parkinson’s-specific exercise. The gift also will ensure continued support through the establishment of an endowment that will provide funds necessary to hire and train additional coaches and staff to run and maintain programs during a time of rapid expansion.
“This new multipurpose gymnasium will allow us to meet the needs of our rapidly growing membership, and I am grateful for Amy and Dan’s generosity which made this opening possible,” says Kirk Gibson, the former Michigan State football great, 1984 Detroit Tigers world champion, and namesake of the center.
“Watching my father face Parkinson’s showed us what real strength looks like, and it’s what led our family to this moment,” says Dan Loepp. “We are grateful to the team at the Kirk Gibson Center for the difference they make in so many lives every day.
“Expanding the center and naming this gymnasium in my father’s honor, is our way of saying thank you, and making sure that people living with Parkinson’s have a place to find the same strength,” says Loepp.
KGC opened in October 2025 and is dedicated to redefining what it means to live with Parkinson’s disease through evidence-based exercise, education, and community. KGC is the first of its kind in Michigan and is located at 31440 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills.
The wellness center is a world-class facility where those impacted by Parkinson’s can access a range of activity-based programs and social amenities, completely free of charge. These programs focus on exercise, education, and social connection which underscores the mantra, “Movement Matters.” The core programing is a series of activity-based programs that utilize the InMotion Approach to provide an integrated, holistic system of wellness programs designed to counteract the symptoms of Parkinson’s and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.
KGC currently has more than 1,000 members actively participating in classes which far exceeds the original projection of 800 registered members by the end of 2026. This unanticipated demand has prompted the center to accelerate plans to expand capacity, and the new gymnasium will provide space for additional classes like PWR! Moves, Tai Chi, and dance, as well as several others.
For more information, visit KirkGibsonCenter.org.
In Related News: The Kirk Gibson Foundation has announced the 2027 Everybody vs. Parkinson’s 2 Gala (EVSP2) will take place on Saturday, April 10, 2027, from 5-11:30 p.m. at Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth Township.
“The Everybody vs. Parkinson’s 2 Gala is more than a fundraiser, it’s a movement,” says Gibson, founder of the Kirk Gibson Foundation. “Every ticket purchased, every sponsorship secured, and every dollar raised, helps us create more opportunities for people living with Parkinson’s to move better, live better and experience hope. Together, we are proving that Parkinson’s does not define a person. We are redefining life with Parkinson’s.”
An elegant evening featuring exceptional dining, entertainment, and exclusive auction opportunities are planned. Guests also will hear inspiring stories from individuals whose lives have been transformed through the foundation’s work. The Sklar Brothers, a comedy team of University of Michigan alumni, will host the evening.
Individual tickets for the Everybody vs. Parkinson’s 2 Gala are now available for $500 each on the events page at kirkgibsonfoundation.org.
 in Farmington Hills has received a $1 million gift from the Jay Farner Family Foundation. Farner is founder and CEO of Ronin Capital Partners in Birmingham, and was CEO of Rocket Cos. in Detroit.){kind=link}