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Donor Stories

Leonard Rosenberg

“My family moved to Old Orchard when I was nine years old,” said Jim, recalling the day he first became friends with Leonard — or “Len,” as Jim calls him. “School was out and I didn’t know anyone in the new neighborhood, so I went out for a bike ride. I saw Len and recognized […]

Craig and Cathy Sheets

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross observed that beautiful people “do not just happen” — their compassion and concern for others is often rooted in or informed by difficult personal experiences, which sometimes accompany their many blessings. This was certainly true for Craig and Cathy Sheets. A tax accountant and partner at the Plante Moran accounting firm, Cathy was always […]

Bob and Sue Savage

When Bob and Sue Savage met at a Catholic young adult convention at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, excitement was in the air in more ways than one.

Fueling the Fire for Future Generations

As a teacher, Mary J. Baird would often take inspiration from a poster in her classroom emblazoned with these words. With the legacy scholarship fund she established in 2021, Mary will keep that flame burning brightly for former students of Sylvania’s Timberstone Junior High School. “I’m excited about the sparkle in kids’ eyes,” she said, […]

Memorial Gifts Sustain the Work of a Loved One

Many individuals who have established funds with Greater Toledo Community Foundation have come to know Bridget Brell Holt as a Foundation staff member and advocate for managing family philanthropy through GTCF. So, it was only natural when her mother, Joanne Seidel Brell, was about to lose her life to cancer that her father, Tom Brell, decided […]

Meg and Dick Ressner

Like so many who relocate from a big city to Toledo, Meg and Dick Ressner discovered it was a place where they could have a special kind of impact. “Dick and I met in Chicago while with Owens-Corning (OC), and moved here in 1989,” said Meg. “We fell hard for Toledo because we realized we […]

The Hugh David and Dana White Family

When Stephanie White encouraged her father, Dave, to establish what became the Hugh David & Dana White Family Fund with Greater Toledo Community Foundation, she had no idea she would be one of the advisors to that fund so soon after it was established. Both Stephanie and her dad begun their own funds in 2019. […]

A Legacy of Caring

Meet Mark and Gretchen Zyndorf Mark Zyndorf will tell you that when he married his wife Gretchen after nearly a lifetime of bachelorhood, he found true love with one of the most exceptional women he’d ever known. “Her stepdaughter would describe her as a cross between Martha Stewart and Mother Teresa,” he said. “And it’s […]

Family Philanthropy: Meet the Leupp Family

If Warren Buffett had a “biggest fan,” it just might be Harold Leupp. “My dad idolizes Warren Buffett,” said his daughter, Melissa. And Harold agrees. “I’m a huge admirer of what he’s accomplished, and the kind of person he is,” Harold stated. In fact, the two men have many things in common – midwestern roots, […]

Securing the Future for Others: Jim and Pam Fletcher

Jim and Pam Fletcher both had the same goal in mind when it came to estate planning — to assure that their assets would provide ongoing benefits to the causes and organizations that they care about and support. And the Toledo Community Foundation’s Legacy Fund provided a perfect means to achieve that goal. Pam and […]

Promoting Community

When Judy McCracken moved to Toledo with her husband, Steve, and four young children, she had no idea how her life was about to change. “Steve had been with DuPont for 30 years, and we’d moved a lot,” she recalled, noting that relocation had been a way of life for them. “We were considering moves […]

For the Love of Children

Like so many of the Greatest Generation, Katherine Gruber Smith made a life for herself far from where she grew up. But at the end of that life, she returned a great blessing to the children of the region she originally called home, with a gift of $1 million to the Waterville Community Foundation (an […]

Hussien and Randa Shousher: Engaging Others to Change Lives

When Hussien and Randa Mansour Shousher first contacted the Toledo Community Foundation, it was to establish a donor advised fund. But before long, the relationship turned into one of collaboration and community engagement that extended well beyond what they had originally envisioned. As children of immigrant parents, philanthropy was a practice that both of the […]

Growing A Community Legacy

Meet Mary Mennel Not many people find their life’s calling by the time they’re nine years old — but Mary Mennel was one of the lucky ones. “I’ve been involved with YMCA Storer Camps from the third grade on, starting with Camp Storer” she said. “First it was as a camper, then as a counselor. […]

A life that's still Making Waves

Meet Eleanor S. Longbrake In an era when a woman’s place was very different from what it is today, she was a pioneer.” So observed Bill Longbrake, whose aunt, Eleanor S. Longbrake, broke new ground in many quiet ways throughout her 97 years. Born in 1913, Eleanor had a keen interest in nature and science from […]

Planning ahead for Lifelong Giving

Meet Darcy Wagner, Ph.D. A lifestyle of giving began early for Darcy Wagner, Ph.D. “Giving was a way of life for our family. When we were little, the three of us kids would fight over who got to put the envelope in the church basket,” she said, “so it goes way back.” Darcy’s father, who […]

Giving That Just Makes Sense

Ken and Jean Lovejoy Giving — and having solid information on which to base it — matters to Ken and Jean Lovejoy. “We’re both data-driven people,” said Jean, describing their approach to philanthropy. Both graduates of The University of Toledo, Ken went into engineering and Jean into pharmacy — “so it goes with our training.” […]

Two Hearts, Two Homes, Two Funds

Kiriyanthan & Thresiamma Jacob Nearly 50 years ago, Kiriyanthan Jacob graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Michigan and left for his homeland, India, to find a bride. The adventure concluded in his wedding to Thresiamma, herself a recent graduate from medical school. Together, they returned to make a new home in Northwest […]

Generations of Generosity

In the Carson family, giving has been a foundation of happiness for generations. So when sisters Betsy Carson Brady and Mary Carson Fedderke, unbeknownst to each other, established donor advised funds with the Toledo Community Foundation in the very same week, the coincidence somehow just seemed natural. “It goes back to our parents,” the sisters […]

Berlin Donor Story

Berlin Family Invests in Philanthropy For Dave and Jean Ann Berlin of Hudson, Michigan, making their community a better place was a little more difficult than they imagined. They wanted to help fund projects in their community and even quietly solicited for projects that might need some financial help. "But it was harder than we […]

West Donor Story

A Legacy of Giving More than 30 years ago, By West was asked to become a member of the first Distribution Committee of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation which was formed to manage and oversee funds to be granted to the community. Those were rocky days. The Greater Toledo Community Foundation had just been re-established […]

Mud Hens Donor Story

Mud Hens Take Kids Out to the Ball Game Going to the ball park to watch the Mud Hens take the field is only a dream for some kids. These kids might not have the chance to catch pop up fly balls, giggle at the antics of Muddy and Muddonna or cheer with gusto for […]

Family Philanthropy

Remembering conversations around the dinner table with his grandfather and father about philanthropy, David K. Welles, Sr. says making financial donations to great causes is just second nature for him. "It's always been a part of my life. But it's something that has to be taught," he adds with full agreement from Georgia, his […]

The Rubini Family Story

The Brad and Julie Rubini Family After the sudden death of their 10-year-old daughter, Claire, in 2000, Brad and Julie Rubini wanted to honor their daughter and keep her alive by focusing on her love of books, storytelling and music. "We attended a support group for grieving parents. As I looked around the room and […]

Leaving a Legacy

"Our lives have been fulfilled by working and helping the community grow. Now we wish to give back to the community to express our appreciation for a wonderful life, " says Charlotte Shaffer who along with her husband, Harold, have enjoyed numerous professional and personal opportunities and experiences in Toledo. The couple, married 52 years, […]

Embracing Nature and Tiffany

With a profound love for the natural world, Tiffany Elise Staelin never met a mountain she didn't cherish, a plant she didn't admire or an animal that didn't amaze her. At the age of three, she strapped on a pair of skis with her brother Tyler, embraced the sport, and her love of the mountains […]

Nurturing the Family Tree

Almost 100 years after his grandfather became a physician in Pakistan, S. Amjad Hussain, M.D. began his medical career in Toledo and feels an obligation to build bridges of understanding between the two countries. "After I completed medical school in Pakistan, I was accepted as a medical intern at St. Charles Hospital in 1963. The […]

Perennial Giving

Just as plants need osmosis to grow, Sam Carson feels that same process applies to passing on the importance of philanthropy to his children, his grandchildren and he hopes his great grandchildren. Sam, a well-known and respected Toledo community and business leader, admits his parents helped him understand the impact of giving to others when […]

Schmidt Donor Story

Dad's Generosity Continues To further his dad's philanthropic philosophy in the community, Tom Schmidt of Rossford makes charitable donations to organizations that help people help themselves. When his father established the Edward H. Schmidt Family Donor Advised Fund at the Greater Toledo Community Foundation in 1994, Tom was helping his dad with his estate plans. […]

Quiet Giver Creates Compassionate Legacy

Several Toledo area nonprofit agencies are benefiting in perpetuity from the generosity of a life-long Toledo area resident who made an anonymous donation to the Foundation in 2007. The donor worked for the federal government most of his life. He so appreciated his community that upon his death at the age of 82, he gave […]

A Lived-In Legacy

John and Lois Shelly faced a dilemma experienced by many older couples. They were concerned that their son, who lives in Montana, would someday be left with the disposition of their home, and they hoped to spare him this difficulty. The Shellys were able to achieve that goal — and much more — with a […]

For Marilyn Fox there is nothing more important than giving women and children the strength to rebuild their lives after abuse. One of the projects through her Mazie Foundation Fund is to give birthday gifts to women and children at Bethany House, a long-term shelter for victims of domestic violence, and she has recently developed […]

Upon the death of his wife, Mary, retired Toledo Municipal Court Judge Robert Penn searched for a way to honor her for her deep, abiding interest and devotion to him and their daughter, Crystal. “Mary was my friend, my companion, wife and soul mate. She was graceful, poised and refined. When we met, we were […]

How A Legend Created A Legacy

Bob Fondessy had every right to be proud of Oregon since he was one of the founding fathers of the city in 1957. Upon the 50th anniversary celebration of the city in 2007, he served as the parade’s grand marshal and acknowledged the progress of the community. But Bob realized that just as much effort needed […]

How Cousins Honor Their Grandparents

Clyde and Marian Sluhan’s six grandchildren grew up hearing stories of how their grandparents worked hard to survive the depression and start a business. Their grandfather was raised in an orphanage and was the first child from the agency to go to college and graduate. After he married and while he was working full time, […]

Tom and Lynnette Titus’s small son had one wish. He wanted to have more flowers in their yard. Nearly 20 years after his death at the age of five, Ryan is getting his wish and more with his parent’s estate plan through the creation of the Ryan Taylor Titus Memorial Fund at the Toledo Community […]

New Family Tradition

When Jeff and Inge Klopping gather their adult children for Thanksgiving, they do more than just enjoy a traditional feast. They share the bounties of their good fortune by selecting charities to receive much needed support. “Each of us comes with our own list and research on why these organizations are worthy of donations. Everyone […]

Lessons of Giving

During their 50 years of marriage, Dick and Fran Anderson of Maumee have nurtured the spirit of giving. “Both of us were blessed with wonderful parents. That has been the secret to our success. They taught us that work is a blessing and to be concerned for others,” says Dick, chairman of the board of […]

Wishes for Tomorrow

Talking about death is never easy but for Ken and Rita Martin of Sylvania it was a necessity. “We realized that with two teenagers, something could happen to Ken and me at the same time and we needed to make plans,” says Rita, director of admissions at Ridgewood Manor in Maumee. “Taking a realistic look […]

Family Influences Commitments

For Jim and Nancy Lapp of Toledo, investing in the future education of college students comes naturally since academic life connected their families for nearly a century. They are both retired from The University of Toledo where their careers concentrated on advising students. This is the first time in 85 years that a Lapp family […]

Legal Experts Appreciate Counsel

When Toledo’s largest law firm needed assistance with its philanthropy endeavors, it called the Toledo Community Foundation for help. In 2007, Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, LLP established a donor advised fund at the Foundation to make charitable gifts in the four communities where it has offices – Toledo, Columbus, Charlotte, N.C. and Tampa, FL. “It […]

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