Charitable Giving is a Way of Life
Summer Events Support Patient and Family Services
Clarine Olson says her husband
taught her two valuable lessons:
the importance of supporting her
community, and the wisdom of
using charitable gifts to offset tax
obligations.
was known for his generosity and a
strong sense of community that led
him to serve on more than 15 civic
organization boards and support
dozens of community projects.
Clarine has continued with active
membership on various boards,
including the Munson Healthcare
Corporate Board.
Community members continue to
demonstrate their creativity when
it comes to putting a fun twist on
raising money for a good cause.
Three popular fundraising events
have become mainstays on the
summer circuit of fun things to do.
Combined, these events raised nearly
$18,000 for Munson programs.
Dick Olson provided an income trust
for Clarine, which will be disbursed
to several of their favorite organizations upon her death, including
Munson Healthcare.
Wine, Women, and Wheels
Brick Wheels on Eighth Street in
Traverse City hosted its very enjoyable “Wine, Women, and Wheels”
event on May 14 to benefit the Smith
Family Breast Health Center. The
event included silent auction items
along with special discounts and
deals given to the 600 or so attendees. Kristi Messing was chairperson
for the event.
Since his death in 2002, Clarine has
maintained the pattern of charitable
giving and community involvement
that Richard “Dick” Olson established during his lifetime. Former
owner of Brown Lumber Co., Dick
Heritage Circle
Heritage Circle represents a list of
donors who have named any Munson
Healthcare System organization to
receive a gift of any amount through
their wills or bequests. It also includes
those who have made a Charitable
Gift Annuity or other life income
arrangement.
If interested in hearing the benefits of
becoming a Heritage Circle member, call
Ruth Bloomer at (231) 935-6484.
George B. Cobel
Gilbert A. Deibel
Jock & Sue Denio
George & Monon Dunn
Jim & Sue Dutmers
Marilyn & Bernard Finn
Nancy Boynton Fisher
Roger & Mary Jane Jacobi
Phyllis B. Klann
Wayne & Terry Lobdell
Diantha Naftali
Roy & Kathy Olk
Clarine Olson
Sarah Elizabeth Pierson
Agnes M. Plagens
Marjorie Power
Robert & Barbara Rosso
Wendell P. Temple
Thomas A. Rutkowski Foundation
Joseph A. Watkins
Jay & Judy Zrimec
“That money will continue to support the things we’ve been involved
with even after we are gone,” she said.
The family’s ties to Munson
Healthcare are strong. Clarine’s
four children and eight of her 12
grandchildren were born at Munson
Medical Center. In 1991, Clarine
had open-heart surgery at Munson,
back when it was newly available in
Traverse City. “I was so grateful to
be able to have it at Munson and not
have to travel.” She still works out
at Munson three mornings a week,
where she did cardiac rehabilitation
17 years ago.
Dick’s treatment for prostate cancer
in 1991 prompted a large gift to the
Biederman Cancer Center. The
Olsons also made substantial contributions to the Women’s Health
Pavilion project and Munson
Hospice House.
“I guess we’ve used Munson Medical Center so many times we always
wanted to support it,” Clarine said.
Clarine Olson
Clarine has gladly continued the
family tradition. She made significant gifts to the new Smith Family Breast Health Center – the first
year in honor of her daughter, Jill, a
breast cancer survivor. During the
campaign’s second year, she hosted a
fundraising event at Ciccone Vineyards in Suttons Bay and made another sizeable donation, even though
she may never use the center herself.
“I have mammograms done at my
doctor’s office, but when I toured the
new center I was so impressed by
how beautiful it is. I wanted to support it because I’m glad this center is
here and available to the community.”
Clarine says participating in planned
giving provides her with a sense of
peace and satisfaction. “Knowing
that I have a part in assuring that
Munson and other organizations
I believe in will be here for my
children and grandchildren is
very reassuring.”
Tennis and Golf Event
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
hosted a June 2 event to benefit the
Women’s Cancer Fund. Club members played golf and tennis and bid
on silent auction items. Kathy Smith
chaired the event.
Brick Wheels on Eighth Street in Traverse City hosted its very enjoyable
“Wine, Women, and Wheels” event on May 14 to benefit the Smith Family
Breast Health Center.
Contact Us
Desiree Worthington | President
(231) 935-6509
Carol Bliss | Executive Assistant
(231) 935-6482
Ruth Bloomer | Leadership Giving Specialist
(231) 935-6484
Nan Brown | Database/Research Specialist
(231) 935-6448
Munson Hospice Trap Shoot
Nye’s Trap Range in Kingsley was the
site for the June 7 event benefiting
Munson Hospice House. This seventh annual event hosted by the Nye
family drew new and experienced
shooters, as well as gun collectors
and those shopping for bargains in
the silent auction. Delbert Nye, Joan
Cloutier, Susie Cloutier, and Patty
Maxbauer served as co-chairs.
Julie Friley | Annual Giving & Stewardship
(231) 935-7668
Beth Karczewski | Leadership Giving Specialist
(231) 935-7689
Shannon LeJeune | Leadership Giving Specialist
(231) 935-7901
Sharon Wilkins | Data Entry Clerk
(231) 935-7913
Melissa Wesolek | Development Assistant
(231) 935-2368