Every Dollar Makes a Difference for Every Patient

Akron Children’s Foundation has always held a special place in the hearts of Walt and Pat Silver.

It’s a relationship that goes back generations, when Walt’s grandmother, Elida, joined the Women’s Board of Akron Children’s Foundation in 1933.

For 40 years, Walt and Pat have supported the hospital. Pat was a member of the Women’s Board for 28 years. Walt’s Aunt Peg, sister-in-law Karen and daughter-in-law Carrie also were members. Walt served on the Akron Children’s Foundation Foundation board of directors for six years. And the couple has donated toward a number of initiatives, including the Building on the Promise campaign and the Robert and Hellen Mitten Palliative Care Chaplaincy Fund, where the impact is felt every time a chaplain visits a child’s bedside or comforts a family.

“I can cite specific cases over many years in just the circle of our families, friends and work associates when we’ve all been affected by Akron Children’s,” said Walt. “If the hospital has helped us, think about how much they must have helped so many others.”

How an IRA Charitable Rollover Gift Helps to Do More

The late Phil Maynard, a longtime member of the Foundation board, had a saying that Walt and Pat took to heart: “I’m giving while I’m living so I’m knowing where it’s going.” Several years ago, they decided to follow his advice when they learned that they could move up to $100,000 directly from Walt’s IRA and use it to make contributions to charity. It’s a type of giving known as an IRA charitable rollover gift.

“I was still working when I turned 70 years old,” explained Walt. “I had a retirement program, so it made sense to make a contribution from my IRA. If I took a withdrawal, I’d be paying income tax on it. When I give it to charity, 100% of it goes directly to the hospital.”

The Silvers work with their bank and retirement plan administrator to make their charitable contributions from the IRA, and they appreciate that they can make their gifts anytime of the year. While Walt and Pat consider their gifts to be “a drop in the bucket,” they hope their contributions will have an even bigger impact when buoyed by the support of others.

“A lot of drops can fill the bucket to overflowing,” said Pat. “I hope that our contribution—and others—will be used by Akron Children’s to continue their constant effort to bring more services to families in northeast Ohio with the care and concern they have demonstrated over many years. Every little bit makes a difference.”

To learn how you can support Akron Children’s through an IRA charitable rollover gift, contact Jason V. Sanders, JD at 330-543-8343 or plannedgiving@akronchildrens.org.