Ways to Help

 There are various ways to support our patients and their families:

Annual Fund—Annual gifts fund a variety of ongoing needs, such as the Patient Care Fund. The Patient Care Fund is administered by the social service department to help needy patients and their families with transportation, food, lodging and medications. Donors may restrict gifts to specific clinical areas or make unrestricted gifts to help where the need is greatest. Gifts can be made by cash, check, credit card or through gifts of stock.

 

Aluminum Cans for Burned Children—The Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) recycling program provides burn prevention education to the community and services to burned children and their families. Area firefighters, individuals, schools, groups and businesses participate in the recycling program to help prevent children from being burned and to help children who have been burned get well.

Capital Gifts— Capital gifts provide funds to establish or renovate facilities and purchase equipment. 

Commemorative Gifts—Donors may bestow a gift to honor or remember someone special or to mark an important occasion. Tribute Trees are available on T7 and in Radiation Oncology. Oncology brochure

Employee Campaign — Annually West Penn Hospital employees support our patients by giving through the employee campaign. Gifts can be made by cash, check, credit card or  payroll deduction. Learn more about the 2009 campaign.

Grants—The foundation seeks grants from private foundations, corporate foundations and government agencies. Pharmaceutical companies sponsor research studies appropriate to their interests. The results of research studies continually advance our knowledge and help The Western Pennsylvania Hospital to remain a leader in contributing to the health and well-being of our community.

 

Patron of the Arts—Through the Patron of the Arts program, donors may sponsor a piece of framed artwork located in a patient room, waiting area, exam room, doctor’s office, play area, corridor or lobby.

Sponsorships and Special Events—Special events raise funds, awareness, visibility and contributions of service and products from corporate sponsorships and individual patrons. Annual special events include the Friendship Ball and Golf Classic.

United Way — You can give to the Hospital through the United Way. The code for the West Penn Hospital Foundation is 3358.

...........and please dont forget  to LEAVE A LEGACY® through Planned Gifts—  Planned giving options include bequests in a will, annuities, life insurance policies, charitable trusts, or other deferred giving instruments. These options can provide important benefits for the donor and his or her estate.

LEAVE A LEGACY® is a community-based program to help people learn about charitable giving through a will or from an estate. The truth is that organizations like The Western Pennsylvania Hospital need financial assistance from people like you in order to continue our good deeds. By making a "planned gift", you can continue to help West Penn Hospital make an important difference in our community. When you LEAVE A LEGACY®, you make sure that help continues to be there for those who need it. With a little planning, you can continue to make a difference beyond your own lifetime.

What can you do now to LEAVE A LEGACY®?

  • Leave a specific dollar amount or percentage of your assets.
  • Consider using assets such as stocks and bonds as a charitable gift. They may provide estate tax savings.
  • Name a beneficiary of your pension plan, IRA or life insurance policy.
  • Remember loved ones with memorial gifts.
  • Encourage family and friends to leave gifts in their will.
  • Ask your financial advisor for counsel and to include charitable giving as part of counsel to other clients as well.
  • Prepare a will. Only half of us have now, and without a will you may lose control of your assets.

 

A will can be a way to leave a lasting legacy to loved ones.  Donors can now include charitable gifts as part of their estate plan while heirs receive the same or more than they would under prior law.  A bequest to a charitable organization can be made by way of a codicil or amendment to an existing will.  Sample bequest language for your estate planning purposes:

I give the sum of $________ (or___% of the residue of my estate) (or describe the real or personal property) to The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation, for the support of ______________The Western Pennsylvania Hospital.)

Please discuss these and other estate gift options with your tax advisor or financial planner as The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation does not give estate or tax advice.  Feel free to have your advisors contact the Foundation at 412-578-4427.