to view the Summer 2015 Campaign Newsletter

Success to Date
Commitments:
$10,735,714
Cash in Hand:
Campaign Newsletter
Melmark Seeks First Commonwealth Grant for Phase 1
$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
Summer 2015
Dr. Joanne Gillis-Donovan
President & CEO
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
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.
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.
Change in Campaign Leadership
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.
Richard Phillips
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
Cindy Peskin,
parent to Corey, a student
in the Melmark School, will Campaign Co-Chair
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.
Page 2
CAMPAIGN NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2015
Michael and Connie Solomon...Parents Grateful for Melmark’s Leadership
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
CAMPAIGN NEWSLETTER
SUMMER 2015
Foundation Grants Provide Meaningful Support
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
Foundation Support for Promises to Keep
Phase 1 infrastructure
improvements now underway—
The Chrystal Trust
$50,000
but with a focus on the adults and
Denny Willson
The Connelly Foundation
$300,000
children that we serve. They
Campaign Co-Chair
The Davenport Family Foundation $165,000
wanted specifically to support
The Engle Foundation
$5,000
guardrails and fencing, as well as paving projects, all with
Girling Foundation
$2,500
the interest of making movement around campus safer and
JPB Foundation
$25,000
easier for those we serve.
William R. Kenan, Jr. Trust
$200,000
The Promises to Keep Campaign has received a number
Rivendell Foundation
$5,000
of foundation grants and we are honored to highlight these
The Rorer Foundation
$4,500
fine organizations and their respective gifts.
The Spray Foundation
$1,800,000
The Advancement Office currently has a number of
Yawkey Foundation
$50,000
foundation grant proposals pending and the staff continues to
research new sources of funding for the Campaign.
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
into school and began interacting with
comfortable in his residence, even
his staff and friends. He attends class
tending the garden there. He settled
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.”
Thank You to Our Donors
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
Dorothy Price
Ann & Martin Guay
Spencer & Lisa Purinton
John & Audrey Hamilton
Amanda & Conrad Radcliffe
Robert & June Handwerker
Rivendell Foundation
Thomas Heiser
Kerry Rockford Enterprises
Frederick Heldring
The Rorer Foundation
Diane Hodge
Lesley Russell
Anna Iannuzzi
& Christopher Cooper
IMC Charitable Foundation
Maureen & Joe Sandberg
Norman Janis
Thomas & Maureen Scott
& Patricia Herzog
Randy & Janet Seidl
The JPB Foundation
The Shanahan Family
Joan & John Kaiser
Joy & Gary Shugrue
Michael Kearney
Silicon Valley Community
William R. Kenan, Jr.
Foundation
Charitable Trust
Brett & Cori Sokolow
King of Prussia Pharmacy
Michael & Constance Solomon
Pierre & Sharon Koncurat
Spartan Beast 2014
Miggy Krentel Memorial Fund
The Spray Foundation
Steven Krentel
Jamie & Karyn Stahle
Ann Laupheimer
David & Helen Steinberg
Dr. David Levering Lewis
Robert & Suzanne Stetson
The Lusignea Family
Greg & Peggy Strakosch
Chris & Maria Elena Lynch
Fred & Barbara Sutherland
Mark Lynch
Teamsters Local 25
Mr. & Mrs. T. Mahoney
John M. Templeton, M.D.
H. Robert Marcus
William & Carey Thompson
& Audrey Flack
Paul & Carole Touhey
Dennis & Elizabeth McAndrews
Robert & Kathy Trainor
H. Graham & Susan McDonald
Veritable, LP
Maureen McMahon, M.D.
Estate of Edna Vickers
Joseph & Cathleen McMahon
Denny & Claudia Willson
Stephen & Carol Memishian
The Yawkey Foundation
Clive Mendelow
Eric & Hilary Zee
Daniel & Heather Mendelow
William E. Mills
Using Planned Gifts to Support
Pat & John Mitchell
Fred & Vicki Modell
Promises to Keep
Jeff & Meg Morrison
Consider supporting the Campaign
Lisa Marie Noke-Kearney
with a planned gift, like a
Joseph & Carmen Nore
Joel & Martha Noumoff
bequest, trust or charitable gift annuity.
Richard & Christine Oliver
Contact, John Schlesinger in the
Daryl & Annie Parker
Office of Advancement,
Bruce & Janet Peacock
(610)
325-4792/jschlesinger@melmark.org
The Peskin Family
or visit
The Phillips Family
Melmark’s
Planned
Giving Website at:
Pilot Freight Services
Pinemar, Inc.
www.melmark.plannedgiving.org
Albert & Susan Pizzica
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