Giving From The Heart
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As a former principal of a small school, we were constantly holding car washes, craft fairs and penny collections to raise money for preschool playground equipment, cafeteria furnishings, art supplies you name it and we probably did it. These were my first experiences with philanthropy. While the needs for St. Francis Healthcare System may be different from an elementary school, I’ve found a common thread: People give generously when they trust you and believe in your mission.
Giving feels good when it’s done from the heart. Many feel a warm connection to St. Francis and know someone who has received care from one of our programs. We offer palliative care and hospice for those with serious illnesses, home health care following hospital stays, personal care services for frail elderly, outreach to the homeless, adult day care for seniors who are unable to stay at home alone and affordable housing for independent older adults. Many are amazed at all the things we do.
Blessed Marianne Cope came with six Sisters of St. Francis to Hawaii in 1883 to care for those with Hansen’s disease. We’re continuing that legacy of responding to Hawaii’s needs.
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It takes money to fund our mission of creating healthy communities. St. Francis Healthcare Foundation raises funds to support these services. Our current project, the St. Francis Intergenerational Center, includes adult day care and a preschool under one roof located on 1.25 acres in Ewa Villages across the street from our Franciscan Vistas Ewa senior independent living community, filling the growing demand for services for the elderly and young children in West Oahu. If all goes according to plan, it will open next fall.
We’re now at 75 percent of our goal, raising money through grant requests, an employee giving campaign and special events. On Aug. 25 we honored Frank De Lima and his Portuguese heritage at “Cirque De Lima: A Tribute to Joy, Laughter & Frank De Lima” as a benefit for the St. Francis Intergenerational Center. Through a donor brick campaign, anyone can leave a legacy for their family by purchasing a permanent, personalized brick that will be prominently installed in the intergenerational center’s courtyard. This is a meaningful way to honor one’s children, parents, grandparents or organization while also supporting Hawaii’s kupuna and keiki for generations to come.
For more information, call 547-8030.
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