Bob isn’t exactly sure what led him to St. Ann’s Community 13 years ago. He just knew he wanted to do something meaningful; something hands-on that would help others. He speculates it might have something to do with his wife being a former social worker, or perhaps the influence a nurse had on him many years ago. He believes it might simply have been the “good Lord at work.” Whatever it was, all of us at St. Ann’s Community are grateful he chose to walk up our sidewalk and through our doors.

Bob’s contributions to the Residents of St. Ann’s Community have been many. Twice a week, he supports Rehabilitation Services and Medical Support Services by helping Residents get to and from their scheduled appointments. Bob has served on a number of advisory committees, and is the first to rearrange his schedule for special programming. In 2001, Bob joined the esteemed group of Charter Volunteers when he achieved a total of 3,000 volunteer hours!

In addition to volunteering, Bob joined the St. Ann’s family of donors several years ago with a contribution to the Annual Appeal. “You need to be in a skilled care environment in order to really understand it. Quality of life is everything, and the staff at St. Ann’s is committed to providing the absolute best. In an environment that can be very challenging, there are visible expressions of love and compassion everywhere. Through the service they provide, the staff at St. Ann’s exemplifies the true meaning of “love thy neighbor.”

It is out of this admiration that Bob was motivated to make his first annual contribution. “It has to do with wanting to do what is right and good; the desire to help others.” I’ve been blessed, but recognize that for whatever reason, not everyone is as fortunate as I have been. I am happy to support St. Ann’s with an annual gift. I know that my contribution will help provide the little extras that brighten Residents’ lives.”

Through his continued support of the Annual Appeal, Bob has made the decision to include St. Ann’s as one of his annual charities of choice. It is this sustaining support from donors like Bob that has been instrumental in positioning St. Ann’s as a premier provider of senior care and services.

Years after her mother had passed on, Mary Moffit remembered the excellent, compassionate care her mother received at St. Ann’s Community—so she made the decision to make a planned gift to St. Ann’s.

Mary did her best to care for her aging mother when Parkinson’s Disease robbed her mother of her independence … until the day in 1997 when the elderly lady fell in her home and could no longer walk.

“I was very leery when the social worker said ‘nursing home,’” she said. “But then I came here to St. Ann’s, and I looked around, and the first thing I noticed was how clean it was. I began to feel better about it.”

Mary sees her future gift to St. Ann’s as a tribute to her mother, and to the wonderful staff who took care of her in her final years. “Mother got very good care while she was at St. Ann’s. They did a much better job than I could have done myself—I was just running on empty,” she explained. “Some people say it’s a chore to visit a nursing home, but I looked forward to coming and seeing these people. They took good care of my mother, and I got good care, too.”

Mary’s gift has already been acknowledged in the lobby of St. Ann’s on the Tree of Life, a colorful, permanent wall sculpture that bears the names of people who are remembering St. Ann’s in their estate plans. When Mary received the invitation to join, she responded right away.

Now retired from BOCES, Mary is very active and involved in the lives of her nieces and nephews. “But if I needed it, St. Ann’s would be the first place I’d come,” she said. “I know I’ll get the best care there.”

Shelia Kinsky has spent half of her life ministering to others. Nine years ago, the good work and mission of St. Ann’s Community called to her. She wasn’t exactly sure where God was leading her, but she was willing to follow.

"St. Ann’s is so much more than a job," says Shelia. "Our residents teach me so much every day. Meeting them and spending time with them has enriched my life more than I can explain. I’m privileged if I can help them and their families complete this, the greatest journey of their lives."

Gifts of time, talent and treasure have always played an important role in Shelia’s life. She has made annual gifts to St. Ann’s beginning five months after her first day of work.

"I guess I never thought of it," she says. "Making financial contributions to St. Ann’s is a natural outcome of my personal value system, my commitment to Christian Stewardship."

"I’ve seen how donor support has made a difference in the lives of St. Ann’s seniors," she says. "I’ve seen the gift of self-dignity, the smile on a senior's face when they are given the funds needed to participate in an off-campus field trip. Now that’s truly a priceless gift! Gifts to the United Way Donor Designation Program, or our own Employee Giving Campaign, really make a difference. If I can help in some small way, I’m happy to do so."

"It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." — Mother Teresa

How do you protect a heart?

When Chapel Oaks residents Chuck and Rita Remilen provided a $2,000 gift to purchase an automated external defibrillator (AED), they helped protect the hearts of people who may suffer sudden cardiac arrest.

After reading an article about AEDs, Chuck and Rita remembered a discussion they once had with Chapel Oaks director Paul Bartlett about his desire to equip Chapel Oaks with one of these devices.

After that, it was an easy decision to make their gift. Here’s why, in their own words:

"Based upon past work experiences, listening and watching, we realize the magnitude of the responsibility required to provide an independent living facility such as Chapel Oaks.

We feel that we are blessed here for having such strong management and service staff overseeing its operation. Chapel Oaks now being our home and providing such an enjoyable living experience, we feel that it is our time to give back.

Because there are not infinite financial resources at budget time, management usually ends up with some items not finding their way into the budget.

Rather than waiting and leaving a financial donation in our will to procure future living advantages after we are gone, we prefer to make any donation now so we can not only see how it was used, but personally reap the advantages of it with our friends. Thus, our donation to procure the defibrillator."

St. Ann’s is blessed to have such caring people willing to step forward and make a gift that will help their Chapel Oaks family.

You can join the Remilens and other donors to help equip all of St. Ann’s with AEDs. Contact Carolyn Slack, Donor Relationship Manager, at (585) 697-6516 or cslack@stannscommunity.com for information how.