FABULOUS FRIENDSHIPS AND FUNDRAISING by Ginger Venable, Event and Project Manager
Dedicated volunteers make a huge difference at Hammer by donating their time, talents, and treasures!
J
ean, Jo Ann, Carol, and Donna volunteer almost every Thursday morning at the central office. They volunteered from home during part of COVID-19, but they are back in the office now.
We are thrilled to have them with us in person; they are near and dear to Hammer. Together, they have shared many talents and skills, doing a wide variety of assignments, from cooking Thanksgiving meals, to folding and stuffing envelopes to send to you, our supporters. This friendly group has been volunteering together for so many years that coming to Hammer is one of their favorite things to do together. They take pride in being very efficient, but spend the morning laughing and joking about their lives and some of the wacky projects we give them. They have a great sense of humor. In addition to volunteering every week, they make financial donations to Hammer as well. From cash gifts honoring caregivers to monthly giving, to Give to the Max Day matches and contributions from their IRAs. Giving is at their core. Jean Nelson is a vital member of the Hammer family. Her husband, Tim Nelson, devoted his life to Hammer since 1977 and was appointed CEO in 1998. Tim passed away while CEO of Hammer in 2011. With his sudden death, Jean found
support from their Hammer friends, employees, supporters, and family members. Jean set up the Tim Nelson Legacy Fund and raised over $54,000 for technology and innovation over the past ten years. She was so inspired by the love she felt at Hammer that she decided to start volunteering with the Thursday ladies. When she is not volunteering, Jean likes to garden and spend time with her nine young grandchildren. Jean and Tim made over 400 financial gifts to Hammer since 1978 and have included Hammer in their will. Jo Ann Koltes is a Hammer family member. Her daughter, Elizabeth, moved to Hammer in 1978, when she was 16 years old. “Whenever I meet someone with a disability, I always say, ‘You have to check out Hammer!’ It's been a god-send for our entire family, and our daughter, Liz.” In addition to volunteering in the central office, Jo Ann has hosted spaghetti dinners for Hammer. She has volunteered at Hammer’s Family Day Picnic for 29 years, bringing her entire extended family to the event over the years. She is an active volunteer, donor, and gives monthly in memory of her husband, Bob, and daughter, Becky. Jo Ann has volunteered since 1978 and made 268 gifts to Hammer. She trusts Hammer to put the money where it is needed the most. “When my daughter, Becky Gromek, suddenly passed away, her husband, Donny, and I agreed that in lieu of flowers, memorials would be requested to Hammer. Becky
Carol, Donna, Jo Ann and Jean bring a ray of sunshine into the office every Thursday.
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