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 Ways To Give |
By considering an endowment to The Memorial Foundation, individuals and organizations are able to see the benefits of their generosity by designating their gift to a specific cause. If you are considering giving, please contact us about giving opportunities available. Seeds of a Different Kind 
Like their families who came to the Yakima Valley to homestead in the early 1900s, Joanne and Art Hall are planting seeds. Only instead of apples and beans, the younger Halls are planning philanthropic seeds to develop a hospice care center in Yakima. The Halls experienced the value of hospice when Art's mother, Florence, received exceptional care at a center in California. "Hospice is just remarkable. They do what needs to be done to ensure the patient's and their family's needs are met," says Joanne. "Hospice patients have a right to enjoy their whole lives, including the end," says Art. "Hospice helped my mother enjoy living. The nurses and staff were able to control her pain and give her the comforts she needed to enjoy every day of her life." The Halls value the peace of mind hospice gave them and their loved ones, as well as the level of caring they experienced by several outstanding staff members. The former valley residents wanted to do something special to honor Art's parents, Florence and George Hall, that would also provide a lasting and meaningful contribution to the community where they grew up. "We shared our gift hoping to inspire others to follow in nurturing this remarkable dream into a community reality," Art says. Since the Halls made the first major gift to the hospice care center , three more major donors have stepped forward to help nurture this project which is just starting to grow. Although the Halls no longer live in Yakima, their roots are here and they are honored to invest in a hospice care center that will benefit the Yakima Valley for generations to come. When the Community Calls, the Sundquists Answer 
Roots have a tendency to grow deep, especially when they've been in place for a while. Nowhere is there a better example of firm roots than in Marv and Pat Sundquist. Marv was born and raised in the Yakima Valley, the son of a prominent orchardist. His wife, Pat, has been in the Valley nearly as long. Both of them share a passion for education, the arts and community development that's admirable by any standards. A Rotarian since 1955, Marv believes it's only right to give back to the community that has given to you. "This is where I grew up," he explains. "My father made a living here, and I made a living here. This Valley has always supported me, and I want to do the same for the Valley." Such a philosophy is the driving force behind Marv and Pat's involvement in philanthropy. Both have served on numerous boards, and support charitable causes through the Sundquist Charitable Education Trust and personally. "We're committed to the arts and the unique culture of Yakima," explains Pat. "When schools make budget cuts, music, art and culture are often the first things to go. We just can't let that happen." The Sundquists are also committed to the efforts of Memorial Hospital and The Memorial Foundation. Marv served for twelve years as a hospital board member, until 1989, when The Foundation was founded. He then switched to become a charter member of the Foundation Board, on which he still serves. As a Foundation board member, Marv helped raise the 4.5 million dollars needed to begin making the dream of Children's Village a reality. "Marv was one of the original "believers" in the idea of Children's Village," recalls Anne Caffery, Memorial Foundation CEO and President. "Each time I saw him ride his bike up to The Foundation house to attend a board meeting, I was glad because I knew it would be a good, productive meeting." In 1999, when North Star Lodge was conceived, Marv and Pat made a significant gift, stating it was to be used for patient programs. "They'll need those programs," explained Marv, "and this will help assure that they will be there." That fund still exists today, helping fund programs throughout the Lodge. The Foundation is grateful that Marv remains an active board member today, and that Pat continues to volunteer in the gift shop. "It's people like the Sundquists who make this community what it is… generous, responsive and successful," says Caffery. "We're blessed to have them." |
