Tom and Kathyrn Holder

As a small boy growing up in Mississippi, Tom Holder never imagined the crucial role he would play in shaping the future of pediatric medicine. Lucky for Children’s Mercy, this world-renowned surgeon and his wife Kathryn, an educator, decided to make Kansas City their home. Yet their legacy to the area will not just be measured in surgical skill or community leadership. They will also leave a legacy to the children of this region through a planned gift to Children’s Mercy Hospital through their IRA.

“Since this account is funded with pre-tax dollars, our children would have to pay tax on this inheritance,” explained Mrs. Holder. “It makes good sense to give a gift through this vehicle because as a charity, Children’s Mercy will get the money in full.”

“Best yet,” says Dr. Holder, “there was nothing to it. We contacted the institution who holds the IRA and asked for a form to change our beneficiary. When we received the form, we listed Children’s Mercy Hospital as a beneficiary and mailed it back. It was very simple.”

Children’s Mercy will always feel fortunate that the Holders agreed to make Kansas City their home. Together they continue to make a lasting difference in the health of our children.

Elizabeth Sutton

Treated at Children's Mercy for a hernia at age 7, Elizabeth Sutton has never forgotten the care she received at Children's Mercy. It was The Great Depression and her family had no where else to turn for medical care. Now a retired school teacher, Elizabeth has dedicated her life to improving the lives of children and helping those in need. Elizabeth arranged a trust so that she can continue to help others even after she's gone. She named Children's Mercy a beneficiary of her trust as a “thank you” for helping her as a child and to help future children in need. In 2004, she arranged a gift annuity with Children's Mercy to make an even bigger difference. “Setting up my estate plan was a challenging process,” Elizabeth said, “but the result has been extremely enjoyable. I feel so good knowing that after I'm gone, what I want done will be done.

Oleta Maurer

An educator for over 30 years in the Kansas City area, Oleta Maurer always had a soft spot for Children's Mercy in her heart. Throughout her illustrious career – which included being named 1962's Outstanding Teacher of the Year by Central Missouri State College - Oleta had many students go to Children's Mercy and knew several families who benefited from the charity care.

“I heard about Children's Mercy when I first started teaching in Kansas City,” she said. “I knew that children were going to be taken care of at Children's Mercy whether their parents could afford it or not. That was my only concern. So when I started my trust, I decided to include a percentage of my estate to Children's Mercy."

Oleta may be proud of Children's Mercy, but we are also very proud of her. She was named Missouri's Retired Educator of the Year for 2002.

Paul Stewart

Paul and Virginia Stewart’s legacy of giving to Children’s Mercy began when they experienced the quality treatment provided by the hospital to their granddaughter, Jessie. In 1978, Jessie was born with a congenital fissure in her skull. Her pediatrician transferred Jessie to Children’s Mercy where neurosurgery corrected the fissure.

This inspired Paul and Viginia to become financial supporters of Children’s Mercy to help other children in need. Paul explained, “We grew up in the Depression, so we know what it means to be poor and in need. Once we had the means, we knew it was important to give back.”

The Stewarts have been giving to Children’s Mercy for more than 20 years. Virginia passed away on 2002, but Paul continues to support Children’s Mercy through contributions and gift annuities that provide him with income on a quarterly basis. As Paul explained, “I can think of no better way to honor Virginia’s memory and show my appreciation for the work done by Children’s Mercy than to continue our legacy of giving.”

Graham Hunt

Graham Hunt used a team approach to create a gift in honor of his wife, Judy. Graham's CPA, insurance agent and attorney joined in the gift planning with him, his children, and the hospital's development officers. Graham transferred his closely-held stock in his business to Children's Mercy and the hospital sold the stock free from capital gains tax. With the proceeds, the hospital purchased a paid-up insurance policy on Graham's children of which the hospital was owner and beneficiary.

Maximizing the family's gift in this way allowed Children's Mercy Hospital to reach its campaign goal and secure a significant challenge grant. Graham avoided capital gains taxes on his appreciated assets, received a tax deduction for his charitable contribution, and with the help of his children, gave the gift of a lifetime to his loving wife, Judy.

Terry and Peggy Dunn

Terry and Peggy Dunn's desire to improve the quality of life in their community motivated them to include Children's Mercy in their estate plans. “I think it's important for a person to ask the questions “What is important in life? and ‘How can we make a difference'?” said Terry. “Many people do not take the time to properly plan their future. Making a deferred gift is an opportunity for people to look at the essence of their life, why they are here and what they have done.”

Children's Mercy has benefited from the philanthropic spirit of Kansas City's Dunn family for generations. As longtime hospital activists and supporters, Terry & Peggy Dunn have continued this family tradition by including Children's Mercy in their estate plan. "Certainly having a quality children's hospital that's delivering care, while at the same time helping people who cannot afford quality health care, is an inherently important component of this community,” Terry said. “Both of us feel very strongly about giving back to these worthy causes.”

Dorothy Frances Peniston

Dorothy Frances Peniston left her family's 460-acre farm in Livingston County, Mo., to Children's Mercy. According to her niece, Bertie Lou Canning, Dorothy had no such connection to the hospital. Dorothy was one of five children and she never married. She cared for her parents and bachelor brothers, Bunt and Price, as they aged. Many years ago, Dorothy and her two brothers made the decision to leave their family's farm to Children's Mercy. The attorney who represented the estate, Lloyd A. Cleaveland, explained the Penistons' decision: Dorothy and her brothers admired the care Children's Mercy provides to all children, regardless of the family's inability to pay. In 2005, Children's Mercy provided more than $13 million in charity care.

Dorothy set up a revocable trust during her lifetime and designated Children's Mercy as sole residuary beneficiary. Upon her death in 2005, Children's Mercy became the owner of the Peniston farm. While the family farm was left to Children's Mercy, Dorothy also remembered family by leaving other assets to a niece, great nephew, and great nieces.