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Meet Our Donors
Judge Gerard M. and Barbara Shellan
"When I quit working, Children's was the place I wanted to give of myself."
My interest in Children's goes way back," says Barbara Shellan. Her younger brother had been very ill since birth and died when he was 4. Barbara remembers the many trips her mom made to Children's Hospital on Queen Anne Hill.
"I remember my mother saying that they (Children's) were so good to her and did so much to help. She would say, 'Whenever I have money, I would like to give to them and help their work.'"
Her mom instilled the desire to give to Children's and the time came when Shellan was able to fulfill it. "I love to volunteer and I love kids. When I quit working, Children's was the place I wanted to give of myself," says Shellan. For 26 years she volunteered almost daily at Children's. She helped in administration, the volunteer office and in Recreational Therapy.
Shellan was a charter member of the Guild Association Board and served as volunteer and retail chairs. She is a life member of the Talbot Hill Auxiliary and was instrumental in forming and is a life member of the Dr. Jack Docter Guild. She recently joined the newly formed Emilie Schwabacher Guild made up of former guild trustees.
"I'm fortunate that Jerry was happy that I had chosen Children's," says Shellan. Together they contributed to the renovation of Children's Teen Zone. They have also established a life income plan with Children's that Judge Shellan considers a versatile financial planning tool. The plan provides income to the Shellan's with the remainder to benefit the hospital. "I strongly believe that when you live in a community you have a moral obligation to return something to it," says Judge Shellan.
Bob and Judy Cline
"We want to give in the most effective way possible."
"Judy and I want to support Children's Hospital's mission in any way we can - that's number one," says Bob Cline. "Number two - we want to give in the most effective way possible."
The Cline's have generously given outright gifts to Children's and have also designated Children's as a beneficiary of their IRA. "The IRA method of deferred giving is very tax efficient - in effect it really becomes a tax-free distribution," says Bob. "Otherwise the remains of the IRA get taxed twice, with an estate tax and an income tax. It just made a lot of sense to Judy and me."
Children's nearly 100 years of never turning a child away for economic reasons, the need for more space and the emphasis on research all work together to provide better care and treatment for our patients. "Each of these areas goes hand in hand and all require philanthropic support from the community," says Bob. "You only have a few passions in your life - Children's mission is one of our passions."
Bob and Judy have four grown daughters and now four grandchildren who are meaningful reminders of the comfort of having Children's close by. "Anybody who has children, whether they've had to go to Children's Hospital or not, has to be so grateful that we have this resource," says Judy. "It's like a safety net. My goodness - we certainly feel that way."
Kate Webster
Kate Webster's giving will forever influence Children's.
Kate Webster's extraordinary wisdom and her generous giving of time will forever influence Children's. Her commitment and trust in our hospital and her love for her family led her to make an ultimate gift - a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) with the income going to her children.
In 1963, Kate was asked to join Children's board of trustees - "I was surprised and delighted," she says. As the daughter of two physicians, hospitals were second nature. Fascinated by the close connection that the board had with the medical staff and its dedicated support of guilds statewide, Kate says she "soaked it up."
In 1970 she became chair of the board and says it was the most interesting job she could possibly have had. Highlights of her term include formalizing an affiliation with the University of Washington Medical School, launching the first $25 million building campaign in the Hospital's history, and restructuring Children's administrative structure, which led to the recruitment in 1979 of Children's first, and current President and CEO, Treuman Katz.
Through the years Kate's leadership has continued to serve Children's well. After the death of her husband she says she suddenly felt that she was mortal after all and began to research estate planning. She established a CRT to help support the loves of her life - her children and Children's Hospital. "My children greatly appreciate the additional income, of course. The CRT provided great benefits for everyone," she says. For Kate it was a natural progression. "It's been fun. I've really enjoyed all of it."