AKRONCHILDRENS.ORG/GIVING 1

serving children through philanthropy

Volume 1 2020

5 Donors partner to help meet pressing need

Philanthropy enables Outpatient Rehabilitative Services Department renovation

8Howard Hanna supports care close to home

Choo Choo Chow Chow combines food, fun and philanthropy

Dear Friends,

I hope you and your family continue to be safe and well during this unique time in our history. As we look to the future, we want you to know that we stand ready to continue serving the health care needs of children.

Your support is helping ensure the best possible care for our patients and their families – no matter what. We continue to work closely with hospital leadership to identify emerging needs, that have a new importance now and into the future.

Staff resiliency and hardship has become a top priority for our staff. To address the challenging situations many of our front-line employees are facing, a fund has been created to provide counseling, financial relief, childcare options and other support services.

Telemedicine provides families convenient access to medical care. This need has grown rapidly and will continue expand, giving patients convenient and safe access to medical care.

Behavioral Health has come to the forefront of needs for our children and youth. The emotional impact of COVID-19 has created unexpected demands on mental health services for children and youth and we are working to provide innovative and immediate access for those in need.

We have received several gifts that are having a direct impact on our patients during this unique time. The following are just a few of the wonderful recent gifts.

Generous donors including The Women’s Board of Akron Children’s Hospital, Marci Matthews, Rick Altman and Lou Altman of the A. Altman Company, KeyBank Foundation and United Way of Summit County have supported the Akron Children’s Hospital Crisis and Hardship Funds. The Cynthia Parker Matthews Foundation made a gift to support telehealth and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Corporation made a gift, which is providing 300 meals a day for hospital staff for one month.

In addition to the wonderful supporters mentioned above, please enjoy a few more stories about our donors who are helping improve the health and wellness of children in this latest edition of Children’s Progress. Please know your friends at the Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation are here if you need anything and we look forward to continuing to update you as we move through this crisis together.

Be well.

Sincerely,

Shelly Brown Executive Director Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation

foun

dat

ion

boa

rd o

f di

rect

orsOfficers

Paul Dutton Chairman

Gregory McDermott Past Chairman

Grace Wakulchik President, CEO Akron Children’s Hospital

Spencer Kowal Treasurer

Mark Oelschlager Secretary

Shelly Brown Executive Director

Directors

Harriet Berloff President The Friends of Akron Children’s Hospital

David Bouffard Vice President, Corporate Affairs Signet Jewelers

Kyle Cheney Partner Deloitte & Touche LLP

Timothy Clepper President Kaulig Capital

Bruce Cohen, MD Director, NeuroDevelopmental Science Center Akron Children’s Hospital

John P. Crow, MD Chairman, Department of Surgery Akron Children’s Hospital

Thomas Crowley Chairman of the Board (Retired) Gasko Fabricated Products Co.

Gary Didado Owner and President J.W. Didado Electric, Inc.

Bennett Gaines Senior Vice President, Corporate Services and CIO FirstEnergy Corporation

Tammy Gersman President The Women’s Board of Akron Children’s Hospital

Arthur Gonzales Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary National Interstate Insurance Company

Gayle Gorman Green President Hughey & Phillips Airfield Lighting Group

Kevin Helmick President/CEO Farmers National Bank

Jeffrey Hord, MD Director, Division of Hematology-Oncology; Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologist; LOPen Charities and Mawaka Family Chair in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Akron Children’s Hospital

Carter Lewis CEO and Owner Lewis Construction

Phil Lopez Financial Advisor Capital Planners

John Mayer Vice President, Sales and Grocery Market (Retired) J.M. Smucker Company

Philip Maynard Chairman/Owner ASW Properties Ltd.

Diana McCool President D’s Desert Properties LLC

John Orr President and CEO (Retired) Myers Industries Inc.

Charles “Reid” Schmutz Vice President, Operations (Retired) Standard Slag Company

William Schumacher Senior Vice President and Market Leader Westfield Bank

Laura Slomsky President Emerging Leaders of Akron Children’s Hospital

Linda Venner Vice President Clampco Products Inc.

Brian Wagner President CCG Automation, Inc.

William Waldman Owner and President (Retired) Meldrum-Fewsmith Advertising

Honorary Director

Willard R. Holland Jr. Chairman and CEO (Retired) FirstEnergy Corp. & Pennsylvania Power Co.

Akron Children’s Hospital embraces a philosophy of family-centered care. We believe that every child has the right to world-class medical care, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

Member, Children’s Hospital Association (CHA)

Member, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals

children’s progress is published by the Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation

One Perkins Square Akron, OH 44308-1062 330-543-8340

An Equal Opportunity Employer

©2020 Akron Children’s Hospital All rights reserved.

Akron Children’s Hospital realizes that individuals enjoy learning more about our services, programs and developments. We also fully respect the privacy of our patients. If you do not wish to receive fundraising materials from Akron Children’s Hospital, you may make the request by sending an email to giving@akronchildrens.org. We will use our best efforts to honor such a request.

President, CEO Grace Wakulchik

Vice President of Development Shelly Brown

Editors Alissa Hazlett Kathryn Mahon

Contributing Writers Desidara Alissa Hazlett Kathryn Mahon

Contributing Photographers Ted Stevens Tiffany Swift

Graphic Design Desidara

Printing Star Printing Co. Inc.

features

content05 HOSPITAL NEWS

• Donors partner to help meet pressing need

• Vision for Our Valley’s Children Campaign comes to a successful end

08 FOUNDATION NEWS

• Howard Hanna supports care close to home

• Investing in a stronger, healthier hometown

• Inspiring others to act

• Helping kids be kids

• Giving communities the best in children’s health care

• Q & A – Peggy and Dale Koblenzer

17 GRANTS

• Stronger families, stronger communities

18 GIFT AND ESTATE PLANNING

• Investing in the future

• Estate planning is a team effort

5Donors partner to help meet pressing needPhilanthropy enables Outpatient Rehabilitative Services Department renovation

Howard Hanna supports care close to homeChoo Choo Chow Chow combines food, fun and philanthropy

8

HOSPITAL NEWS

AKRONCHILDRENS.ORG/GIVING 5

Donors partner to help meet pressing needPhilanthropy enables Outpatient Rehabilitative Services Department renovation

In the last five years, the number of children receiving rehabilitative treatment at Akron Children’s Hospital’s Akron campus has increased by nearly 36 percent. And the need continues to grow.

Each day, more than 300 children undergo therapy at our Outpatient and Day Rehabilitation programs. And more than 300 children needing evaluation and treatment through occupational, speech and physical therapy are on a waiting list.

To meet the growing, complex needs of children and families in our community, something had to be done. And once again, our generous community of donors is stepping up to the challenge – with

the announcement of a new, multimillion-dollar undertaking to enhance our Outpatient Rehabilitative Services Department in Akron.

Timely support for an in-demand service

Thanks to supporters including the FirstEnergy Foundation, the MPB Charitable Foundation, the Cynthia Parker Matthews Family Foundation and The Lehner Family Foundation, our hospital will undertake an extensive renovation to the Outpatient Rehabilitative Services Department on the second floor of the Akron campus’ main hospital building.

And it couldn’t come a moment too soon.

Continued on next page.

(From left) Grace Wakulchik, president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital; Lorna Wisham, president of FirstEnergy Foundation; and Shelly Brown, executive director of the Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation.

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HOSPITAL NEWS

LehnerFAMILY FOUNDATION

THE

In recent years, increased volumes have led to crowded treatment areas, with aging equipment and a lack of office and storage space. The layout of the existing space – which spans multiple buildings – is also fragmented.

“These barriers limit the number of children we can help on a daily basis,” said Grace Wakulchik, president and CEO of Akron Children’s. “Early identification of physical and developmental disabilities is crucial. It can help ensure that appropriate interventions are provided to a child as soon as possible. This helps them develop to their full potential, maximize their level of function and avoid further disabilities.”

To accommodate these needs, remodeling and reconfiguring the existing physical space is essential, along with continued investments in highly specialized therapy equipment of all kinds.

But to our donors, the renovation is more than an investment in buildings and equipment. It’s an investment in the health and well-being of our region.

“The goal of FirstEnergy Foundation’s philanthropic support of community-based organizations like Akron Children’s is to enable positive, sustainable changes that make our communities stronger,” said Lorna Wisham, president of FirstEnergy Foundation, which made a $400,000 gift to support the project.

“Healthy families make healthy communities and as a leading health care provider in this region, Akron Children’s has the capacity to implement operational changes that will positively impact our community in the long term. Through this capital improvement program, specifically, the Rehabilitation Services Renovation Project, Akron Children’s will transform lives and provide the specialized care for children and families in our community for years to come.”

Improved access meets state-of-the-art care

Once complete, the renovated department will include 33 general therapy rooms; three group therapy rooms; two sensory integration gyms; separate infant/toddler, pediatric and adolescent/adult gyms; an expanded waiting area; a speech testing space; a physical therapy track; an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Team space; and a small apartment designed to simulate independent living, including a kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

Renovations to the Outpatient Rehabilitative Services Department will allow therapists such as Stacey Merlo, to help more children like Riley Osborn.

Continued from previous page.

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Vision for Our Valley’s Children Campaign comes to a successful end – THANK YOU!Akron Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce

the successful conclusion of the Vision for Our

Valley’s Children Campaign, which will provide

support for programs and services at Akron

Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

The campaign had a goal of $18 million. But our

donors helped us far surpass that goal by raising

$25 million.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank

all the generous donors who supported this

campaign, as well as campaign chairs, Paul and

Sallie Dutton and Bruce and Nancy Beeghly, as

well as Jim Sisek, vice chair.

To learn more about what the campaign

will be supporting please visit

https://bit.ly/VisionforValley.

Paul and Sallie Dutton Bruce and Nancy Beeghly

“The whole project is impressive,” said Debra Calevich, retired COTA, who along with her four siblings is a trustee of the MPB Charitable Foundation, which made a $250,000 gift to support the renovation. “I had a chance to see firsthand how the hospital commits itself to its patients and its caseload. Akron Children’s has an impressive reputation in our state. Our charitable foundation is honored to be able to help such an outstanding organization. We are thankful that we can help.”

“We’re very fortunate to have a facility like Akron Children’s accessible to us, our kids, our grandchildren and our community,” said Robin Compton, executive director of The Lehner Family Foundation, which made a $100,000 contribution to the project. “We continue to support the pediatric health care at Akron Children’s with current and future needs of the patients, the hospital and the community.”

The Cynthia Parker Matthews Family Foundation also contributed $175,000 toward the expansion. And while our generous donors have helped get this project off the ground, there are still many opportunities for the community to support what will be a state-of-the-art department that is inviting and kid-friendly.

“This is for our future generation,” said Gordon Ewers, president of the board of The Lehner Family Foundation. “What could be more important?”

Give our kids room to growIf you’re interested in learning how you can support the Outpatient Rehabilitative Services Department, contact Megan Hopper, senior director of principal giving, at 330-543-5768 ormhopper@akronchildrens.org.

8 CHILDREN’S PROGRESS | FALL 2018

Howard Hanna supports care close to homeChoo Choo Chow Chow combines food, fun and philanthropy

Big things happen when communities band together.

At the end of last year, Howard Hanna agents from across northeast Ohio joined Howard “Hoby” Hanna, president of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, at Akron Children’s Hospital to kick off the Howard Hanna Choo Choo Chow Chow fundraising events.

The annual initiative brings together real estate agents, clients, friends and family to have a good time while raising money for the Howard Hanna Children’s Free Care Fund, a program that benefits children’s hospitals in communities where the organization has a presence – including Akron Children’s.

The hospital and fund’s goals are one and the same: to ensure that every child gets the care they deserve, regardless of their ability to pay.

Raising funds while having fun

How do Chow Chows work? Each office hosts an event – anything from potlucks and themed dinners to wine tastings and bingo nights.

In 2018, Howard Hanna offices in Ohio raised $434,927 – all of which stayed in the state.

Last year, the Children’s Free Care Fund chose to support Akron Children’s Together in the Community (T.I.C.) Night Out, an event for children with a tic disorder or Tourette syndrome. Because the conditions can be socially isolating, the T.I.C. Night Out is especially important for patient families. It’s a chance for their children to spend an evening in the community without experiencing the anxiety they may have going out.

Katrina Lindsay, PhD, NCSP, pediatric psychologist and director of the school success clinic and Tic and Tourette service at Akron Children’s, provided an overview of the event that welcomed more than 250 kids and their parents.

“By coming together as a community, our kids are able to feel normal for one night – thank you!” she said to the attendees.

(From left) Howard Hannah team members Cindy Slabaugh, Tami McDiffitt, Stephanie McMillen, Cindy Householder, Kathy Petrey, Jan Brenneman, Karyn Pumphrey, Akron Children’s Director of School Success Clinic and Tic and Tourette Service Dr. Katrina Lindsay, RuthAnne Belton, Carol Coia, Jodi Hodson, Ann Kyner, Mark Hodson, Jeff Nickles, Helen Gisewhite, Zach Rollins and Denise Flanagan.

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FOUNDATION NEWS

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“Home Happens Here”

Debbie Donahue, executive director of the Howard Hanna Children’s Free Care Fund, said Chow Chow events are so important because they reflect the company’s philanthropic culture.

In 1988, Howard Hanna chairman Hoddy Hanna was invited to join a newsboy campaign, which began in Pittsburgh and started with a simple jar on the front desk of Howard Hanna real estate offices.

It soon transformed into office potlucks, and, 32 years later, the program is its own nonprofit charity that has raised more than $1 million since 2012. Today, Chow Chows take place in nine states and involve more than 300 Howard Hanna offices. In total, the Children’s Free Care Fund has raised and donated more than $16 million in support of several children’s hospitals in the company’s market areas.

The program has a motto of “Home Happens Here.” Donahue said that while Howard Hanna is in the business of homes, this program is making sure that children have access to high-quality medical care close to home.

“Thank you, Howard Hanna, for your support of Akron Children’s and helping the children in our community have a place to go for nationally renowned health care,” said Machelle Syx, director of corporate alliance and special events at Akron Children’s.

To find out how your organization can partner with Akron Children’s, contact Machelle Syx, director of corporate alliance and special events, at 330-543-8340 or msyx@akronchildrens.org.

At Akron Children’s, Howard “Hoby” Hanna, president of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, kicked off the annual Howard Hanna Choo Choo Chow Chow fundraising events.

10 CHILDREN’S PROGRESS | FALL 2018

FOUNDATION NEWS

Investing in a stronger, healthier hometownKimble family supports Akron Children’s Health Center, New Philadelphia

When starting their business in 1948, Doris and Floyd Kimble could never have imagined the impact they’d have on their hometown.

As a newly married couple, they founded Kimble Companies with nothing but a few hand tools. In the years that followed, the business grew. All the while, they both remained actively involved in the community and generously invested in the work of local charities. When Floyd passed away in 1998, Doris continued the work they started together – handling the company’s accounting and management well into her 80s.

Today, the next generation of Kimbles owns and operates the Dover, Ohio-based waste services provider. But through the Doris and Floyd Kimble Foundation, the family continues to impact the lives of friends and neighbors in their hometown.

This commitment is evidenced by the foundation’s recent gift to Akron Children’s Hospital in support of the new Akron Children’s Health Center, New Philadelphia. With their donation, Doris and her son, Greg Kimble, are helping to bring high-quality pediatric care to Tuscarawas County and beyond.

“Our family has been supporting Akron Children’s for more than a decade,” said Doris. “We believe having high-quality health care available in our community makes it a better place to live. And we have many friends and family that will benefit from these services.”

The Kimble family has lived in the area for more than a century and understands the importance of staying true to their roots. By providing access to care close to home, families in New Philadelphia and the surrounding communities will no longer have to travel out of town for Akron Children’s nationally renowned pediatric health care.

“The new health center means more people may be willing to stay in this area because they don’t have to spend time and resources to get quality services elsewhere,” Greg said.

The health center brings a variety of pediatric services under one roof, including primary care, rehabilitative services, physical therapy and speech therapy. Occupational therapy will be offered in late 2020.

For the Kimbles, Akron Children’s has helped many of their family members and friends over the years. They hope that by giving back, they can expand the hospital’s reach and ensure future generations receive the same level of care their loved ones have enjoyed.

“Philanthropy is important because it provides the seed to leverage advancement in better facilities and capabilities,” said Doris. “Our hope is that pediatric health care will always be readily available. There would certainly be a void without it.”

To learn how you can invest in

pediatric health care in your

community, contact Megan Hopper,

senior director of principal giving,

at 330-543-5768 or

mhopper@akronchildrens.org.

Doris Kimble and her son, Greg Kimble.

10 CHILDREN’S PROGRESS | VOLUME 1 2020

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When James and Claire Wardle were born at 23 weeks, their parents, Barry and Rachel, weren’t sure what the future held.

The twins were born in the Mahoning Valley but were soon transferred to Akron Children’s Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Akron. They faced an uphill battle that required a lot of prayer, love, support and hope.

“I had many rough, dark days during their time in the NICU,” Rachel said. “There were many long days and nights, many ups and downs – sometimes I wasn’t sure what the next day would bring.”

Through it all, hope came to Rachel each day as she passed the Wall of Hope in the NICU. The wall features more than 24 NICU graduates, sharing stories about their births, their time in the unit and what life is like today.

“I would tell people the stories of each child on that wall,” Rachel said. “It was nice to see how they were doing.”

James was the first to come home after 168 days. For Claire, the stay was a little longer – 294 days.

Barry, Rachel and Barry’s parents, Rich and Nancy Wardle, knew they wanted to give back to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for the twins. They also wanted to give hope to families who faced the same challenges they did during those months in the NICU.

So each family decided to give back in their own special way.

Traditional giving makes a direct impact

Rachel learned that there was an opportunity to support a Wall of Hope at Akron Children’s Beeghly campus – a wall that could give a parent the hope she needed to get through her family’s situation. She immediately told Nancy.

“As soon as we learned about the chance to support something that meant so much to our family, we jumped at it,” Nancy said.

Rich and Nancy decided to take a more traditional approach by making a direct donation to the project.

Rich said that this type of gift made sense for them. For the couple and their contemporaries, there are a variety of traditional donation options to choose from, including planned giving through a bequest or life insurance. Rich explained that it doesn’t mean you have to have a lot of disposable income to give. A financial planner can also help when choosing how to best support an organization.

Crowdfunding appeals to a digital audience

Barry said his parents’ way of giving may work better for more established families who have the financial resources to provide direct support to a project. However, for younger families, access to that type of funding might not be available.

But that doesn’t mean they can’t support programs near and dear to their hearts.

Barry and Rachel are making a direct donation, too. But they’re also using social media to reach out to their friends – also known as crowdfunding – and raise money to fulfill a pledge to support the NICU program.

Inspiring others to actWardle family finds different ways to support the neonatal intensive care unit

James Wardle and his sister were born at 23 weeks. The twins spent the first months of their lives in Akron Children’s NICU.

Continued on next page.

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“With younger people, everything is at your fingertips,” Rachel said. “They are on their phones, so it was inevitable that this type of fundraising became a tool in the toolbox.”

Barry and Rachel can update their friends on the twins’ progress while sharing other fundraising opportunities they may be participating in.

“We can show them how they have helped our kids and other kids throughout the Valley,” said Rachel. “We can say, ‘Hey, you helped do this.’”

Their impact also goes beyond their direct circle of friends to include friends of friends they’ve connected with online. And, since crowdfunding efforts are ongoing, they can make even more of an impact over time.

Spreading hope, inspiring others

The goal of the entire Wardle family is to share their story and how the doctors and nurses at Akron Children’s saved James and Claire. They want to give hope to families going through tough times. And, most importantly, they want to inspire others to act.

Rich and the rest of the family live by the Bible verse James 2:17 – “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Support Barry and Rachel’s fundraiser for the Akron Children’s NICU at bit.ly/WardleNICU. Your gift can help children like James and Claire – and change lives for years to come.

Off to school! James and Claire get ready for their first day of preschool.

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Helping kids be kidsDonor helps make infusion treatments a little bit easier and a lot more entertaining

Sitting still can be one of the most demanding directives a child receives. But for youth and young adults undergoing infusion treatment for critical illnesses such as cancer, sitting still is an important part of their care.

For those who come to Akron Children’s Hospital, it’s a little easier thanks to a generous gift from Jerry Welty.

Welty recently made a $100,000 gift to fund the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) room located in the Akron campus. In the room, patients can watch television and play video games in a state-of-the-art facility while receiving life-saving treatment. The entertainment and comfortable surroundings create a welcome distraction from infusion treatments – which can take from 30 minutes to several hours a day.

“I’m proud to lend my support to one of the finest children’s hospitals in the country that is located right here in our own town,” said Welty, who retired as chairman of Welty Building Company Ltd. in 2000.

Welty recently toured the facility and met some of the staff that use the AYA room for their patients on a regular basis.

Maria Hartland, AYA social worker, explained how the room helped a young patient who is in the middle of a three-year cancer treatment.

“He was in here yelling as he was playing the games,” Maria said. “It’s so great to see the kids who come here have a ball and just be kids.”

(From left) Daniel Pettee, DO, Lynn Kwolek, office coordinator for hematology and oncology services, and Megan Hopper, senior director of principal giving, give donor Jerry Welty a tour of the new AYA room at Akron Children’s.

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14 CHILDREN’S PROGRESS | FALL 2018

The room has three chairs with their own sound systems. Each patient can play individually, with other kids in the AYA area or friends off-site.

Welty was drawn to support Akron Children’s after spending time with a physician in the Paul and Carol David Foundation Burn Institute during a Children’s Up Close experience, which pairs a visitor with a doctor to shadow throughout a morning.

“That visit left me with an indelible picture in my mind of what these patients go through and where they would go had it not been for caring attention they were receiving from the doctors and nurses at Akron Children’s,” Welty said.

“After taking the tour through the AYA room, I found it quite touching to see the young patients going through this,” Welty said. “With tears in my eyes, I saw the need to continue my support to help fulfill the needs of this fine institution, Akron Children’s.”

Welty also noted the importance of others in the community joining together to support Akron Children’s.

“If we expect to keep Akron Children’s at the highest level it has achieved today, it is paramount that we as a community continue to support it with our financial resources.”

Support the children who come to the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancers and Blood Disorders for treatment. Email Megan Hopper, senior director of principal giving, at 330-543-5768 or mhopper@akronchildrens.org for more information.

Jerry Welty tries out one of the specialty “gaming” chairs in the new Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) room.

FOUNDATION NEWS

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Giving communities the best in children’s health careSeaman family supports pediatric care in Wooster and beyond

It’s clear to anyone who meets Richard and Judy Seaman that they love their hometown of Wooster.

The city serves as the home base for their business, Seaman Corporation, a world leader in performance fabrics. Richard is the retired president and current chairman of its board of directors. His father, Norm, founded the company in 1949.

Over the years, they’ve made it their mission to support a variety of local programs to ensure those in their community have the best of everything. And thanks to a recent donation to Akron Children’s Hospital made through the Seaman Family Foundation, that list now includes pediatric health care.

Akron Children’s Health Center, Wooster, which opened in late January, brings a variety of pediatric services under one roof. Now, primary and specialty

care services – including cardiology and gastroenterology – are closer to home for their friends, neighbors and community.

“We have always been aware that a large number of families in both Holmes and Wayne counties have to travel to Akron to get critical medical care,” Richard said. “The health center in Wooster will now make many of those critical services more readily available. It will also bring high-quality pediatric physicians and medical staff to the Wooster community.”

The Seamans understand that this gift will help children’s health care far beyond their community, too. They recognize the challenges health care providers face, especially for medical institutions like Akron Children’s that want to remain independent.

Thanks to their close relationship with Bill and Becky Considine, they have learned a great deal about the “unique and valuable asset” that is Akron Children’s. For them, philanthropy is a way they can help excellent health care endure while allowing the hospital to remain independent.

It’s a gift they hope will have a positive, long-term impact on families in Wayne and Holmes counties.

“The health of our children is related to the quality of the parenting process,” Judy said. “Our hope is that we find ways to strengthen the family unit and assist in the parenting challenges of today. The construction of the health center seemed like an excellent opportunity for us to make a gift that could have a lasting impact.”

Find out how you can support children and families in your community. Contact Megan Hopper, senior director of principal giving, at 330-543-5768 or mhopper@akronchildrens.org to learn more.

Judy and Richard Seaman

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DALE AND PEGGY KOBLENZERFIVE QUESTIONS WITH OUR FEATURE DONORS

When Peggy and Dale Koblenzer’s twin grandsons, Conner and Grant, were born prematurely at 26 weeks in July 2016, Akron Children’s Hospital staff provided lifesaving care. The Koblenzers saw the impact nurses provided as they watched over Conner and Grant for 83 and 232 days respectively in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Nearly four years later, the couple is happy to report that the boys are doing well.

1. When did you first gain an interest in philanthropy and giving back?

Peggy: From our mothers. My mother graduated from Vassar College but grew up in a time when women didn’t work outside the home. So she put her voice, strength and energy into volunteering with the United Way, RSVP and the Pink Ladies at Akron City Hospital.

Dale: My mother delivered meals, and the people she met were so appreciative of her time and attention. I also was involved with the Boy Scouts and worked on a lot of outreach through that organization.

2. Why do you support Akron Children’s?

Dale: I started my involvement with Akron Children’s by serving on the hospital board and working on Merrill Lynch’s Shootout

golf outing and the kids’ day associated with that. This event had kids walk the course with pro golfers. Many of Peg’s friends from the Women’s Board were involved. But the need for Akron Children’s was really brought home when our grandsons were born.

Peggy: The nurses and doctors in the NICU saved the boys’ lives. The nurses were so positive, even when things didn’t look good. They celebrated each little success as a huge milestone. Those nurses are just amazing! And it wasn’t just the nurses. Even the woman at the desk greeted us every time we came to visit. She was so compassionate and caring. We heard it all the time, but now we know how dedicated the staff of Akron Children’s really is.

3. Tell us about one program or service you support at Akron Children’s and why.

Dale: After our experience in the NICU, we chose to fund a nursing scholarship for continuing education. The nursing staff made all the difference in the world. We will never be able to give back all they have given to us. We continue to stay connected with so many of them. In fact, after the twins came home our daughter needed assistance. So she hired a Kent State student who is now a nurse in Akron Children’s NICU!

4. Why is philanthropy so important to Akron Children’s today?

Peggy: After the twins were born, I asked my sister-in-law, who is a perinatologist, if Akron Children’s was the best place for them. I told her the doctor’s name who was caring for the twins, and she said they couldn’t be in a better place because she helped train the doctor! It was so reassuring. So why wouldn’t we support Akron Children’s? The best care is right in our backyard.

Dale: The hospital business is not easy. If Akron Children’s is going to continue to excel, it needs outside funding for things, like research, that make it a center of excellence. To continue being a premier children’s hospital, it takes money and we are happy to help.

5. You spend time in both Ohio and Florida. What advice would you give to snowbound Ohioans to get through the cold, dark winter months?

Dale: Take lots of vitamin C, look at sunny pictures and find friends who live down here!

FOUNDATION NEWS

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A closer look

Building healthier, safer families

Child abuse prevention has been identified as one of the most important indicators of community health. Children growing up in a home environment where parents are limited in their ability to support healthy development show a decline in cognitive performance after the first year.

Research suggests that positive social support for parents plays an important role in creating positive parenting experiences, including how to handle stressors experienced by at-risk families.

The Nurturing Families Program provides this type of support.

It aims to teach positive and caring nurturing skills such as setting realistic expectations for children based on their developmental stage, creating an awareness of a child’s needs and understanding appropriate means of discipline. Taking place in home- and community-based settings and in collaboration with community agencies, the preventative-care program helps the hospital increase its outreach and education efforts in neighborhoods where higher-risk families live.

“We’re focusing on the health and well-being of parents, giving them the education and support they need to be successful,” said Wakulchik. “This is truly a community effort, and we’re so thankful that Kohl’s Cares will continue to be part of this community.”

One in four.

That’s the alarming number of kids in our community who have experienced two or more adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse, neglect or exposure to household substance abuse.

Two years ago, Kohl’s Cares helped Akron Children’s Hospital establish the Nurturing Families Program

– an initiative aimed at teaching parenting skills to help prevent abuse and neglect. And recently, the organization announced its renewed commitment to the program with a grant of $420,000 over two years.

“We are grateful to Kohl’s for their continued support of the Nurturing Families Program,” said Grace Wakulchik, president and CEO of Akron Children’s. “Children facing abuse, neglect or any of the other household challenges that affect their healthy development are issues that must be dealt with. These children need stable, loving parents and we want to work with them to ensure they feel confident in their ability to parent, even during difficult times.”

Supporting “Care” for kids

Kohl’s commitment to Akron Children’s is made possible through Kohl’s philanthropic program, Kohl’s Cares, which sells children’s books and plush, donating 100 percent of the net profit to health and wellness organizations nationwide.

Kohl’s Cares supports programs focused on healthy development, safety, healthy lifestyles, chronic disease management and mental health. Through continued support, Kohl’s has raised more than $360 million nationwide through this merchandise program and helped countless kids and families.

Stronger families, stronger communitiesKohl’s Cares renews support of Akron Children’s Nurturing Families Program

Akron Children’s External Affairs

Department oversees our efforts to

build healthier, safer communities.

Contact Megan Hopper, senior director

of principal giving, at 330-543-5768 or

mhopper@akronchildrens.org to learn

how you can support the department’s

outreach and educational initiatives.

18 CHILDREN’S PROGRESS | FALL 201818 CHILDREN’S PROGRESS | WINTER 201818 CHILDREN’S PROGRESS | VOLUME 1 2020

GIFT AND ESTATE PLANNING

Become part of Akron Children’s and leave a legacy for your family. To learn more about making a bequest gift or other gift and estate planning options, please contact Maureen Katanic, senior director for planned giving, at 330-543-8343 or mkatanic@akronchildrens.org.

Investing in the futureBequest helps bolster hospital’s research efforts

Bill Considine, CEO emeritus of Akron Children’s Hospital, and his wife, Becky, were both raised to believe in the value of helping others.

“We were blessed with parents and families who recognize the importance and joy of giving,” said Bill. “They understood what it means to give time and talent, in addition to dollars.”

The Considines have maintained this mindset for more than 40 years while Bill served as president and CEO of Akron Children’s. During that time, they invested in the mission of the hospital while supporting research efforts to further medical advancements made here

and beyond. Their goal for Akron Children’s is for it to be a premier, independent and integrated pediatric health care delivery system.

Now, with the couple’s recent announcement of a $1 million bequest to the hospital’s Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, their family legacy of giving back will continue for years to come.

A renewed commitment

Ten years ago, upon Bill’s 30th anniversary at the hospital, the Considines donated $1 million to establish Akron Children’s research institute, which was named in Becky’s honor.

“Research is our future, just as children are our future,” said Bill. “It has the potential to impact everything

we do. It can help keep children out of the hospital, and we want to make sure every

child has the chance to reach their God-given potential.”

“There are so many medical possibilities that will be accomplished through research,” added Becky. “In our lifetime, we’ll see great things unfold as a result.”

When it came time to celebrate Bill’s 40th anniversary in 2019, the Considines wanted to find a special way to thank the hospital

and show just how much Akron Children’s means to the community.

On the night of a gala in Bill’s honor, the couple announced another

$1 million gift – this time in the form of a bequest – to establish an endowed chair at

the research institute and build upon the hospital’s reputation as a hub for pediatric research.

Aligning interests with investments

During the past four decades, the hospital family became part of the Considine’s family, from patients and parents to hospital staff, including Bill’s longtime assistant Patricia “Pat” O’Desky. So, when they discussed committing to another major gift, the decision was an easy one.

Akron Children’s Hospital has long been a part of Becky Considine’s life. (From left) Becky as a child with

Akron Children’s nurse Joan Barnes and friend Cathy.

Bill Considine, CEO Emeritus of Akron Children’s Hospital, and his wife Becky have committed to supporting an endowed chair within the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute.

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Estate planning is a team effortWinston Churchill is quoted as stating “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

This commitment to a better world, community and neighborhood drives many. Psychologists call this prosocial behavior, or, in other words, a desire to improve society. In my opinion, there is no better example of this kind of commitment to others than Bill and Becky Considine.

Bill and Becky have spent a lifetime giving back. They have lived their life in support of Akron Children’s Hospital, and they have spent

countless hours helping the Akron community and its educational and charitable organizations. But their hearts are with Akron Children’s.

When Akron Children’s celebrated Bill’s 40th anniversary of leadership last year, Becky and Bill surprised their hospital family and the community with the announcement of a $1 million bequest to the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute.

I’ve had the honor of working with Bill and Becky on this pledge and other estate planning matters for over 20 years. Estate planning, however, is a team sport. The best way to accomplish tax and estate planning goals is to work with your clients and their other advisors to create an estate plan that meets their personal and philanthropic aspirations.

The Considines’ team of Diane Gilger and her colleagues at KeyBank, Tom Gedelian and his associates at Sikich LLP, Mike Cymbal of Sequoia Financial Group and the staff of Akron Children’s Foundation have all have been integral to ensuring Bill and Becky’s wishes and legacy at Akron Children’s.

Congratulations to Bill on his many years of service to Akron Children’s and the Akron Community and to both Bill and Becky for their wonderful bequest to the research institute.

“The key to making a planned gift is ensuring that your philanthropic interests align with the mission of the organization you’re supporting,” Bill explained. “If they don’t, it won’t work. Becky and I believe in Akron Children’s mission. It’s a phenomenal place. We believe in the great team of people who work here. And one way for us to support this team and enhance that mission was to give a boost to the hospital’s research efforts.”

The couple partnered with their financial advisors and the team at Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation to finalize the gift and ensure their wishes were realized.

“A planned gift is an important way to leave things better than you found them,” said Becky. “Our hope is that people 40 or 50 years from now can look back at this gift and realize what a difference it made for this hospital and its patients. We’re so thankful and proud to be part of the Akron Children’s family.”

Some quick thoughts Although not a principal motivator for giving, tax deductions are available to encourage charitable donations. Cash gifts to public charities can be deducted with an annual limit of 60% of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income. But with the increase of the standard deduction to $24,000 for married joint filers, many annual donors don’t benefit from tax deductions.

Instead, consider making one large gift directly to charity or to a donor advised fund for distribution at later dates. Give appreciated securities, if available. If you’re over 70 ½, make a qualified charitable IRA distribution directly to charity. And lastly, bequests through your will and living trust let you make a larger gift to Akron Children’s than you might be able to give during your lifetime.

Michael A. Sweeney Of Counsel, Brouse McDowell

Becky Considine announces the Considines’ $1 million bequest to Akron Children’s research institute during Bill’s 40th anniversary celebration in 2019.

Michael A. Sweeney, Of Counsel, Brouse McDowell

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Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation invites you to connect with us.

@akronchildrensfoundation @akronchildrensfoundation

maySunday, May 10Lutz GreenhouseIn-store Promotion11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

May 28 – June 5Piano-a-thonPlease visit giving.akronchildrens.org/piano-a-thon

juneMonday, June 1Giant Eagle campaignParticipating Akron and Mahoning Valley locations

June 22 – July 19Walmart and Sam’s Club campaignParticipating Akron and Mahoning Valley locations

calendar of events

For more information about these events or how you can become a special event coordinator, contact:

Akron: 330-543-8340 • Mahoning Valley: 330-746-GIVE

For a complete listing of all Akron Children’s Hospital events, visit akronchildrens.org/events.

julySaturday, July 11Touch-A-TruckQuaker Steak & Lube, Boardman11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Saturday, July 18Bill Forney Memorial RUSH Late Model TourSharon Speedway6 – 10 p.m.