September 2015

ENRICH THE PRESENT, ENHANCE THE FUTUREThe Saint John’s 31st Annual Scholarship event aligns with the goal to attract and retain the best talent to work at Saint John’s. Its purpose and longevity are impressive. Just over a year ago, the Scholarship Committee opened the application process to a broader group of employee’s educational endeavors. In addition to pursuing health-care careers, applicants have the opportunity to pursue advancement courses that lead to a certificate or a degree in any Saint John’s career opportunities, such as hospitality management. The Committee members are Lloyd Lewis, Mary McAndrews, Dale Neese, Kim Huntley, Deanna Schwenner and Sybil Bell. (See more of the story on page 2)

Scholarship Awardees L-R: Stephanie Carillo, Constance Krahn, Crystal Wenzel, Zach Dressler, Candice LeGros, Sam Wojcinski, Brittany Vana, Jessica Schreib,Robert Ferguson, Emily Treuthardt, Ashley Schaffer, and Tasha Wilson. Not pictured: Kejuana Grady, LaThea James, and Elizabeth Thao.

Fifteen employees (listed with school/field of study) were honored at the August 19 event with a total of $16,750 in awards. Congratulations to:

1. Stephanie Carillo, MATC: Associate degree RN 2. Zach Dressler, Columbia College of Nursing: BS of Nursing 3. Robert Ferguson, MATC: Associate degree Hotel & Hospitality Management 4. Kejuana Grady, Bryant & Stratton College: Associate degree RN5. LaThea James, MATC: Associate degree RN6. Constance Krahn, UW-Milwaukee: BS Healthcare Administration7. Candice LeGros, UW-Milwaukee: BS Social Work 8. Ashley Schaffer, UW-Milwaukee: BA Sociology9. Jessica Schreib, MATC: Associate degree RN10. Elizabeth Thao, MATC: Associate degree RN11. Emily Treuthardt, MATC: Associate degree RN12. Brittany Vana, UW-Milwaukee: BS of Nursing13. Crystal Wenzel, MATC: LPN to RN Progression Program14. Tasha Wilson, WCTC: Associate degree Human Services15. Sam Wojcinski, Marquette University: MS, Clinical and Translational Rehab Sciences

Sybil Bell, Director of Philanthropy

SYBIL’S MESSAGE September is the month to celebrate back-to-school, even at Saint John’s because we are committed to life-long learning. This issue includes education-themed highlights among other articles. While the office is busy with planning year-end events and fundraising activities, we are always available for a conversation…Thank you for being a vibrant and generous community.

Foundation Funds

(Scholarships: continued from page 1)

One-by-one, the students took turns at the microphone to express their gratitude. Some brought their parents or children or spouse. Each felt encouraged on their journey thanks to the caring individuals who live and work at Saint John’s – represented by the 125 who attended to cheer them on.

Scholarships are made possible by gifts from individuals and the proceeds from the Thrift Shoppe. The Scholarship Endowment Fund was founded one year ago by resident Lloyd Lewis to further ensure the ability to award scholar-ships well into the future. The fund balance has grown to $45,000 which is really good news for next year’s applicants! When the balance reaches $400,000, the annual earnings of $20,000 would self-sustain scholarship awards at the usual pat-tern. We thank all those who generously contrib-uted to this fund over the past year.

GIVE A SHOUT-OUT!

The Evan & Marion Helfaer Foundation doubled their gift this year. Our gratitude abounds for the $20,000 grant designated to the Scholarship Endowment Fund which is one of their fund-ing priorities. Thanks also to resident Bill Gaus for being an advocate for this gift on behalf of Saint John’s Foundation.

EVEN MORE STUDENTS

Saint John’s has partnered with faculty from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to offer a semester-long course for credit on our campus – our first imbedded class. And it is the first-of-its-kind in the field of Aging and Translational Research. Aptly named, Aged To Perfection (Social Work 300), is an interdisciplinary course to study the process of aging. The goal is for students to choose careers working with older adults early in their educational process. Joining them are several residents to co-teach, tell their stories, and be mentors. With grant money awarded from Community University Partners, a videographer will film portions of the class. The video will be used to share the experience with others within higher education in the field of aging with the hope that this course concept can be replicated elsewhere.

A WORD TO OUR SPONSORS

Thank-you! That’s really two words, but what’s important is that you make it happen: Bill Lau for partial funding of the Pet Photo Project, Elizabeth & Bob Bradley for underwriting a LifeStreams program, Suzanne Osetek for the purchase of replacement cushions for the Plaza swings, Janet Matuszak for alcove furnishings, and the Francie Luke Silverman Foundation for a gift toward the renovation costs of the Uihlein-Peters Gallery in the Lower Level.

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit…

– Nelson Henderson

Unless someone like youCares a whole awful lot,Nothing is going to get better.It’s not.

-The LORAX a character of Dr. Seuss

The Foundation is a charitable organization whose purpose is to solicit, hold, manage, invest and

expend endowed funds for the benefit of the residents of Saint John’s and its programs and activities.

Saint John’s mission is to enrich the lives of older adults through gracious retirement living, spiritual growth,

cultural and educational opportunities, and residential healthcare services.

LEGACY DONOR SPOTLIGHT

CHOOSING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION:

Last month, a Tower resident assigned the full

future residency contract refund of $85,000 to

the Foundation’s Scholarship Fund. At this time,

the resident prefers anonymity, but education is

a philanthropic priority. Assigning a portion of a

refund is an effortless way to make a legacy gift.

This is the fourth refund gift. Our deferred gifts

now total $539,000 in future Foundation receiv-

ables. Is there a goal we could help you achieve

with a planned gift?

Enhance the Future

Gratitude is the memory of the Heart…

– Jean Baptiste Massieu

CARS TOO! – DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Do you remember the feeling you had when you

passed your driver’s exam? I think most of us do.

That piece of paper represented freedom and

independence. Mary Meade Ullman remembers

it with sweetness. So when her time came recently

to give up ownership of her car, she decided to

share it in a way that someone else could enjoy that

sweet taste too. She donated her car to Saint John’s

– and – then it was sold to an employee in a fair and

publicized offering.

The proceeds were deposited into the Scholarship

Endowment Fund, enabling a legacy of benefits to

employees who are students. A win-win!

SAINT JOHN’S COMMUNITIES

FOUNDATION BOARD NEWS

With unanimous approval to add an additional member to the Board, Richard Miller transitioned from his role as designee of the Communities’ Board to full membership. He is a retired attorney. His volunteer experience spans 50 years of raising funds for endowments, capital projects, and annual campaigns. Taking his place in that former role is Polly Beal who joined the Saint John’s Communi-ties’ Board in 2013. She brings a diverse background in fund development, volunteer governance and organizational management. Their skills complement the expertise of the other board members, Renée Anderson, Dick Bibler, Suzy Brennan, Bill Goldammer and Lloyd Lewis.

COULD WE THANK YOU?

We just love to thank our donors. If you have

named Saint John’s in your will or estate plans,

please take time to tell us and you will be added as

a member of our Legacy Society. We look forward

to thanking you personally at our annual donor

event scheduled for November 17.

All financial gifts to Saint John’s Communities and Saint John’s Communities Foundation qualify under Section 170(f)(8) as eligible for tax deduction. For information about

any form of giving opportunity or fund development activity, contact Sybil Bell, Director of Philanthropy, at 414.831.6911 (sbell@saintjohnsmilw.org)

or Deanna Schwenner at 414.831.6905 (dschwenner@saintjohnsmilw.org).

1840 North Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202 414.272.2022 www.SaintJohnsMilw.org

GRAND RE-OPENING

THE THRIFT SHOPPE is planning its grand re-opening as Phase I of the Lower Level renovation is near completion. We are hoping for a mid-September date which will also be a 4th anniversary celebration, marking about $90,000 in sales!

A message to our donors and customers… we couldn’t have done it without you.

Donations welcome! Bring your treasures (eligible for a tax-deduction) to the North or South desk, or submit a work order, or contact Shoppe Manager Dale Neese at 347.2335 or daleneese@aol.com. Come and shop, too.

Come browse and shop: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:00 a.m.– noon; and Wednesdays from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.

Making a Difference

ESTATE & LEGACY PLANNING

There are many ways to give. Naming Saint John’s in your will, or as a beneficiary in your living trust or in an IRA or life insurance policy, are easy options.

OPPORTUNITIES TO GIVE As you’ve read in this publication, the impact that a charitable gift makes enables us to offer ways to age well and learn well. A gift to our Foundation helps secure future needs by investing the principal and distributing the earnings. Our office acceptsgifts by cash, check, credit card or appreciated stock. You many also make a gift on-line through our website at www.SaintJohnsMilw.org. It’s easy.

If your residency contract has a refundable option, you may want to consider designating a portion of those funds as a tax-deductible gift. As always, discussions are confidential and can include your family and/or financial advisor to determine how to maximize tax savings and other benefits.

VOLUNTEERS – The Gift of Time The Volunteer Committee will host the annual Volunteer Appreciation Event on Tuesday, September 29, at 4:00 p.m. The entire community is invited to celebrate and watch staff perform a ‘musical thank you’ on stage. Come join us.