Campaign Newsletter Summer 2015 Success to Date Melmark … · 2015-11-17 · members of the House...
Transcript of Campaign Newsletter Summer 2015 Success to Date Melmark … · 2015-11-17 · members of the House...
Richard Phillips has
served Melmark well over
the years, as the Chair of the
Melmark Charitable
Foundation and, most
recently, as the Co-Chair of
the Campaign Cabinet.
Regretfully, Richard is
stepping down from this role as Co-Chair to
focus on the ever growing business of Pilot
Freight Services, of which he is CEO.
Richard has played a principal role in the
formation of the Campaign, and has provided
substantial leadership support from the start.
“I have been and continue to be a fervent
believer in the mission and objectives of
Promises to Keep and will continue to serve on
the Cabinet through its duration,” Richard said.
“Given the demands of my work with Pilot at
this time, I believe it is best
for the Campaign’s success
to make way for new
leadership.”
At this time, we are
pleased to announce that
Cindy Peskin, a Melmark
parent to Corey, a student
in the Melmark School, will
be joining Denny Willson as Co-Chair for the
remainder of the Campaign.
Cindy brings to this role enthusiasm and
experience, having served in a variety of roles
in fundraising initiatives with The Episcopal
Academy. We are grateful for her willingness
to serve Melmark at this critical juncture in the
Campaign and our thanks go to Richard for his
faithful and long-time service to Melmark and
the Campaign.
As Melmark has moved into
active construction to
implement major
infrastructure improvements
to the Melmark PA Campus
(Phase 1), we were made
aware of an opportunity to
apply for a Redevelopment
Assistance Capital Program
(RACP) grant. This is a
Commonwealth grant
program administered by the
Office of the Budget for the
acquisition and construction
of regional economic,
cultural, civic, recreational,
and historical improvement
projects. We were fortunate
to have principal
endorsements of the grant
from PA Senator Tom
McGarrigle and PA
Representative Tom Killion.
The request is substantial,
seeking $5 million.
To garner greater support
for the grant, Melmark hosted
a special legislative breakfast
on May 18, 2015 and invited
local legislators and
community leaders. This was
an opportunity to bring
everyone together: several
members of the House of
Representatives, our new
State Senator Tom
McGarrigle, local (Main Line
Campaign Newsletter Summer 2015
Dr. Joanne Gillis-Donovan
President & CEO
Melmark Seeks First Commonwealth Grant for Phase 1
and Delaware County)
Chamber of Commerce
presidents, Delaware County
and Newtown Township
officials, parents and board
members.
During the program, our
guests were presented with an
overview of Melmark’s
mission and personal
testimonies bearing witness of
Melmark’s significant impact
on the lives of the children and
adults we serve, as well as
their families and the
community at-large.
Campaign Co-Chair, Denny
Willson closed the
presentation encouraging our
guests to lend their full support
for this grant.
Success to Date
Commitments:
$10,735,714
Cash in Hand: $6,854,652
Campaign Cabinet Co-Chairs
Cynthia A. Peskin
Denny Willson
Pennsylvania Members
Mike Dolente
Marley Dolente
Bo Fleitas
Mickey Flynn
E. Martin Heldring
Steve Krentel
Clive Mendelow
Daniel Mendelow
Maureen McMahon
Fred Modell
Vicki Modell
Jeff Morrison
Richard Phillips
Amanda Radcliffe
Steve Shanahan
Joy Shugrue
New England Members
Jim Alex
Mary Barry
Gail Biancucci
Larry Cancro
John Clavin
Mary Gene Clavin
James Fitzpatrick
Jill Fitzpatrick
Ann Guay
Michael Kearney
Nadine Mahoney
Tim Mahoney
Lisa Marie Noke-Kearney
Mary Ellen Royer
Jamie Stahle
Karyn Stahle
Change in Campaign Leadership
Joining the group at the
breakfast (L-R) are, PA Sen.
Tom McGarrigle; Melmark
Charitable Foundation Board
Chair, Mickey Flynn; PA Rep.
Tom Killion; McGarrigle Chief
of Staff, Alex Charlton, and
Melmark Executive VP & COO,
George Linke.
Cindy Peskin,
Campaign Co-Chair
Richard Phillips
Page 2
C A M P A I G N N E W S L E T T E R S U M M E R 2 0 1 5
Michael and Connie Solomon...Parents Grateful for Melmark’s Leadership
Connie and Michael Solomon and their daughter Grace
have been a part of the Melmark community for almost two
decades. In that time they have been faithful partners,
ensuring Melmark’s success today and into the future. In
their own words they share why Melmark is worthy of their
support.
For most, graduation is a cause for celebration, the
beginning of all the possibilities that you imagined. For
parents of children with developmental disabilities, it’s the
end. That’s when the tough part begins.
Your child is no longer appealing in that childlike way that
softens the strangeness of disability. He or she is an adult
who will lose the sense of community and belonging that
school and peers offer. Entitlements end and waiting lists
begin. No matter how much infant stimulation you relied
on, or how much mainstreaming was accomplished, it is a
future that threatens empty days, loneliness, a risk of
depression, and a loss of hard-won skills.
Thankfully, Melmark was there, offering hope for our
Grace, providing a safe and secure community where she
be would happy and thrive.
Our daughter, Grace came to Melmark two days a week in
1996 as part of Montgomery County’s transition to work
imperative, en route to her high school graduation in
2000. Unlike many of her friends, Grace, who has Down
Syndrome, is not capable of unsupervised independence,
the most worrisome aspect of which is that she cannot
discern danger. We understood the pressing need for
some post-secondary program that would give her
community, safety, and purpose. Melmark filled that
need. She is now approaching her 20th year at Melmark,
leading a useful and creative life. She is member of the
Meadows Guild, which produces craft products for sale.
She earns a small paycheck, serves in the Tea Room,
knits, and works in the flower shop removing leaves from
flower stems for dried flower arrangements.
As important and necessary as supported employment in
the community is for those with special needs, there is an
equivalent need to provide for the welfare and well-being
of those who are less able. Melmark fills that need, and
we are grateful for its leadership. Grace has a keen sense
of belonging, nurtured by loyal and caring staff members
who watched her mature into an outgoing, useful, and
happy young woman—a life that we dared not imagine at
her birth 35 years ago. Thank you Melmark!
This year the Solomons demonstrated their belief in
Melmark today and Melmark tomorrow through a
leadership gift to the Promises to Keep Campaign.
Thank you Connie and Michael!
Grace loves her role as a member of the Meadows Garden Guild, but she gets the most joy on the stage with the Melmark Players. This year she held the lead in Cinderella and stole the show. Here she is pictured with some aspiring Cinderellas after a recent performance at Valley Point Church in Glen Mills.
Promises to Keep…
Giving by Source Support of the Campaign comes from many
individuals and organizations. Following is the
breakdown of giving to date by source:
● Board Members 24%
● Family Members 60%
● Friends 5%
● Foundations 6%
● Organizations & Corporations 3%
● Events 2%
We are encouraged by the leadership support of
families and friends and are grateful for every
gift that brings us closer to reaching our goal of
$20 million.
Page 3
C A M P A I G N N E W S L E T T E R S U M M E R 2 0 1 5
Foundation Grants Provide Meaningful Support
Promises Kept… What your service and support accomplish
Sam was 17 when he moved into
Melmark New England’s Methuen
house a little over a year ago. With a
history of severe self-injury, Sam was
accustomed to wearing a helmet and
arm splints 24 hours a day, every day.
He was isolated from others at his
previous school and residence; he
rarely ventured out into the
community or participated in a
classroom. Sam’s hopes and dreams
were not being realized.
Sam has made incredible progress
this year. He no longer wears arm
splints and he wears his helmet just a
few hours a day. After only a few
months, Sam became more
comfortable in his residence, even
tending the garden there. He settled
into school and began interacting with
his staff and friends. He attends class
daily and participates in the
vocational program. Sam goes on
community outings with his peers
(and family too), enjoying Red Sox
games, the beach, shopping and more.
He recently participated in a four mile
road race sponsored by the Claddagh
Pub, completing the course and
posting a great time. A staff member
who ran with him noted, “He ran 4
miles and barely broke a sweat!”
Sam’s mom, Nancy, adds, “I feel a
deep sense of relief and immense
gratitude to Melmark’s talented,
committed, and creative staff.
Melmark has been able to unravel the
complex behaviors and help remind
Sam that there is a great big world out
there.”
Melmark has been fortunate to receive the generous support of a number of foundations.
We are grateful for the partnership of these organizations and for the relationship that
Melmark has been able to develop with many of the representative families and
administrators.
We have recently received a grant of $165,000 from the Davenport Foundation, an
organization that prefers to support “bricks and mortar” projects. In the past, they have
provided funding to support projects that directly impact the children and adults we serve.
These include the creation and furnishing of the Art Room in the Melmark School, the shade
screen system for the Meadows Greenhouse and the renovations of the kitchen and
bathrooms at Gatehouse.
When we approached the Davenports for support of the Campaign, our good friends
were most interested in building
projects and chose to support the
Phase 1 infrastructure
improvements now underway—
but with a focus on the adults and
children that we serve. They
wanted specifically to support
guardrails and fencing, as well as paving projects, all with
the interest of making movement around campus safer and
easier for those we serve.
The Promises to Keep Campaign has received a number
of foundation grants and we are honored to highlight these
fine organizations and their respective gifts.
The Advancement Office currently has a number of
foundation grant proposals pending and the staff continues to
research new sources of funding for the Campaign.
Foundation Support for Promises to Keep
The Chrystal Trust $50,000
The Connelly Foundation $300,000
The Davenport Family Foundation $165,000
The Engle Foundation $5,000
Girling Foundation $2,500
JPB Foundation $25,000
William R. Kenan, Jr. Trust $200,000
Rivendell Foundation $5,000
The Rorer Foundation $4,500
The Spray Foundation $1,800,000
Yawkey Foundation $50,000
Denny Willson
Campaign Co-Chair
3 Dog Garage Alternate Energy Development Group American Infrastructure Joseph C. Amodei Anonymous (2) Mary Barry & Thomas Nephew Peter & Christine Batchelor Gail & Nick Biancucci The Borden Foundation John & Mickie Bradley Diane Brown J. Kevin & Kathleen Buchi C&S Wholesale Grocery The Calvarese Family Marcella Cancro Larry & Luise Cancro Michael & Catherine Cappelletti Louis N. Cassett Foundation Daniel & Michelle Chess Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia John & Mary Gene Clavin John J. Clavin Richard & Virginia Close Isaac & Barbara Clothier Connelly Foundation John & Sheila Connors Tristram & Ruth Colket Robert & Lisa Marie Crane The Crystal Trust Davenport Foundation Martin & Kit Dempsey Michael & Marley Dolente David & Eileen Dolente Bruce & Ellen Donohoe Joseph & Donna Duffey James and Carrie Eaton John & Julie Elicker Kenneth Wirfel & June Eichbaum John & Julie Elicker Stanley Engle The Engle Foundation Bruce & Elizabeth Fadem James X & Jill Fitzpatrick Albury “Bo” Fleitas Dennis “Mickey” Flynn The Fretz Corporation Dr. Joanne Gillis-Donovan & Mr. Joseph Donovan
The Girling Foundation Ann & Martin Guay John & Audrey Hamilton Robert & June Handwerker Thomas Heiser Frederick Heldring Diane Hodge Anna Iannuzzi IMC Charitable Foundation Norman Janis & Patricia Herzog The JPB Foundation Joan & John Kaiser Michael Kearney William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust King of Prussia Pharmacy Pierre & Sharon Koncurat Miggy Krentel Memorial Fund Steven Krentel Ann Laupheimer Dr. David Levering Lewis The Lusignea Family Chris & Maria Elena Lynch Mark Lynch Mr. & Mrs. T. Mahoney H. Robert Marcus & Audrey Flack Dennis & Elizabeth McAndrews H. Graham & Susan McDonald Maureen McMahon, M.D. Joseph & Cathleen McMahon Stephen & Carol Memishian Clive Mendelow Daniel & Heather Mendelow William E. Mills Pat & John Mitchell Fred & Vicki Modell Jeff & Meg Morrison Lisa Marie Noke-Kearney Joseph & Carmen Nore Joel & Martha Noumoff Richard & Christine Oliver Daryl & Annie Parker Bruce & Janet Peacock The Peskin Family The Phillips Family Pilot Freight Services Pinemar, Inc. Albert & Susan Pizzica
Dorothy Price Spencer & Lisa Purinton Amanda & Conrad Radcliffe Rivendell Foundation Kerry Rockford Enterprises The Rorer Foundation Lesley Russell & Christopher Cooper Maureen & Joe Sandberg Thomas & Maureen Scott Randy & Janet Seidl The Shanahan Family Joy & Gary Shugrue Silicon Valley Community Foundation Brett & Cori Sokolow Michael & Constance Solomon Spartan Beast 2014 The Spray Foundation Jamie & Karyn Stahle David & Helen Steinberg Robert & Suzanne Stetson Greg & Peggy Strakosch Fred & Barbara Sutherland Teamsters Local 25 John M. Templeton, M.D. William & Carey Thompson Paul & Carole Touhey Robert & Kathy Trainor Veritable, LP Estate of Edna Vickers Denny & Claudia Willson The Yawkey Foundation Eric & Hilary Zee
Thank You to Our Donors
To learn more about the Promises to Keep Campaign please contact the Advancement office:
Melmark PA – Ellen Donohoe: (610) 325-4996 Melmark NE – Ellen Kallman (978) 654-4371 For more information on Melmark, please visit www.melmark.org and www.melmarkne.org
Using Planned Gifts to Support
Promises to Keep Consider supporting the Campaign
with a planned gift, like a
bequest, trust or charitable gift annuity.
Contact, John Schlesinger in the
Office of Advancement,
(610) 325-4792/[email protected]
or visit
Melmark’s Planned Giving Website at:
www.melmark.plannedgiving.org