Warm wishes to our LG Health Foundation donor family for a happy and healthy holiday season! While 2020 has brought many challenges, it's also brought extraordinary acts of kindness and generosity. We are so thankful to all of you, our donors, who have given so generously this year.
Below are some stories and updates from around LG Health that illustrate the impact philanthropy plays in our not-for-profit health system. Thank you for making such a difference in our community!
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The first recipients of the Matthew James Killinger Scholarship for Oncology, Julie Justice Klunk and Danielle Robertson, with members of the Killinger family.
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Grateful family gives back to support nurses
Matthew Killinger's family wanted to repay the kindness they received at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute during Matt's battle with leukemia. After experiencing the teamwork, compassion, and expertise of the LG Health nurses, the Killingers wanted to ensure that all oncology nurses employed by LG Health could continue to receive the best training to support patients and families facing complex health situations. They established the Matthew James Killinger Scholarship for Oncology Endowment in early 2020. The first recipients of this scholarship were awarded during our system-wide (belated) Nurses Week celebrations in October.
This past fall, over 25 LG Health nurses received awards and scholarships from funds created by generous families and donors who wanted to invest in our nursing staff's success and education. Thanks to the Killingers and other donors, we awarded over $19,000 in nursing scholarships and awards!
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Virtual Wine Heart Gala Raises $106,000
The annual Wine Heart Gala may have looked a bit different this year, but the event was as successful as ever in its mission to raise funds for the Heart & Vascular Institute. Many thanks to the presenting sponsors, S&T Bank, and Steven & Lee for their generous support. We are also grateful to those who purchased tickets to the virtual wine tasting experience, bid on auction items, and bought raffle tickets and cork pulls during the drive-through pick-up event at Lancaster Country Club!
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COVID-19 Response
We are so grateful to our community for supporting our COVID-19 Response Fund. We've received gifts totaling over $346,000, which have directly impacted our ability to provide resources to our front line staff. It's been a moving experience to see how quickly our community has responded to our call for help. We will be relying on your continued support through the pandemic as we face the recent surge of cases and strain put on our hospital's resources.
A COVID-19 update was given at the LG Health's Board of Trustees open board meeting on Thursday, November 19, via YouTube. If you missed it, please enjoy the recording below.
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The recent surge in COVID cases is concerning. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health is monitoring this on-going health crisis closely, and just as we've done for over 125 years, we will respond with the medical expertise and compassion that you rely on. We hope the information contained in this update is helpful to you and gives you peace of mind that our community's health is in good hands thanks to your philanthropic investment.
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If you are age 72 or older, you can make a gift of up to $100,000 directly from your IRA. The CARES Act waives RMDs for tax year 2020 only. However, using the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) / Charitable IRA Rollover remains the most tax-efficient and simplest way to tap into your retirement plan assets to support your philanthropic interests. In addition, the SECURE Act made changes to age eligibility for RMD and dollar limits on QCDs, which will extend beyond tax year 2020.
Please check with your financial advisor to determine how those changes may impact you.
Contact your IRA provider and request a check be mailed payable to Lancaster General Health Foundation with your information attached. For those using a self-administered IRA checkbook, be sure to mail your gift to the LG Health Foundation by December 24, 2020, to allow sufficient time for year-end processing.
Questions? Contact Crystal Mills at crystal.mills@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
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Join the Women's Giving Circle
Since 2006, the Women's Giving Circle (WGC) has funded projects and programs throughout women's and children's health service lines at LG Health.
The Women's Giving Circle allows members to pool their annual membership gifts to support projects that will improve the community's health and well-being. All members get to vote on the presented projects each spring, giving every member a voice in where their collective investment is directed.
Membership gifts are accepted on a rolling basis from September through April. All membership gifts received by the proposal presentation meeting (held in mid to late April) will be pooled to fund the proposals/projects with the highest number of votes from the group.
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"After I retired, I was looking for ways to become involved and actively support an organization that spoke to me. Certainly, that was Women and Babies Hospital. I learned of the WGC and decided it was a wonderful opportunity to share my time and talents and contribute in a philanthropic way. Becoming actively involved allows one to really see the organization at work. Over time, I have also seen the way that a group of women committed to the tasks of this organization can come together and provide financial support for many outstanding programs that, while once were the hopes and dreams of various departments at LG Health, have become realities."
- Beverly Piscitelli, former Women's Giving Circle Co-Chair, Founding Charter Member
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LG Health Foundation's FY20 Annual Report
What a year! Thank you to all of the individuals, businesses, and organizations who gave so generously in our 2020 fiscal year!
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