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Donors Are Our Heroes
Why I Give

Peggie and Bob Keddie Jr.
Peggie and Bob Keddie Jr.
My connection with Liberty Lutheran first began in the early 2000s when the Advancement Department was running a capital giving campaign at Paul’s Run. My mother was a resident at Paul’s Run for quite some time. She first moved into Independent Living, and then transitioned through each level of care until she passed. Having quite a connection to the community, I gave over the course of a three year period, and from there I was invited to join Liberty’s Board of Directors. I guess they figured I was a good guy.
My wife, Peggie, and I truly believe in giving back. We’ve had a good life and we believe in the work that Liberty Lutheran does and enjoy supporting their family of services. Worldwide causes are important, but we especially enjoy giving back to an organization that is local like Liberty because you can see the results happening in each community. You can see the impact that each dollar makes.
My family was always a giving family. My parents were products of the Great Depression and they always gave 10 percent of their money to charity. It was their priority to give. They believed in their faith and were members of a Presbyterian Church, which was influential to me as I grew up. My dad felt that when he was giving, he was cultivating seeds of growth. He thought that if no one gave, nothing would happen. That philosophy of giving carried on throughout my life.
Giving was particularly relevant throughout my career when I worked for Beneficial Bank. They were very involved with community affairs and they supported community service efforts. I, along with other senior officers, were encouraged to take on that giving mentality. So, I served on several Boards, including Liberty Lutheran’s, and I’ve always enjoyed taking on those fundraising efforts.
I think it’s in my blood to try and raise funds for the organizations I care about, and I think it stems back to my parents. It has been incredible for me to see Liberty Lutheran persevere through this pandemic and it really speaks to the organization’s leadership. I think that when you’re a caregiver at heart, you embody that motivational spirit and there’s a true desire there to help people. It’s unbelievable and I just admire the work that Liberty continues to do for the people they serve.

John Pyron
John Pyron
I’ve been involved in disaster response work since 2004 and started as a volunteer on the Gulf Coast in Mobile, Alabama following Hurricane Ivan. Throughout the years I have served in a variety of roles from construction to long-term recovery group coordination. I’ve also served with two Lutheran Social Service agencies before transitioning into the role of Program Director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s (ELCA) Lutheran Disaster Response-US (LDR-US) program, which is where I am now.
Our program engages a national network of Lutheran synods as well as Lutheran social service organizations and external partners that respond to the needs of communities impacted by disasters. We understand that all disasters are local and our focus is to empower communities to engage and recover. We support organizations like Liberty Lutheran and Lutheran Disaster Response- Eastern Pennsylvania (LDR-EPA) because we know that they are the ones on the ground who are closest to the needs of each community.
Everything we do is survivor-centric. When we support LDR-EPA we ensure that the people impacted by disasters can get the assistance that they need, and we can’t do that without funding. The majority of funding that we receive comes from direct contributions. A lot of those donations are 20 or 50 dollars. All of those donations really do make a difference and we would not be able to support organizations like LDR-EPA without them.
LDR’s impact is crucial for so many communities impacted by disasters as governmental assistance will largely not be sufficient to meet all of their needs. This is especially the case for disasters that are small and highly localized, the ones that aren’t getting media attention. That’s where the impact of fundraising really helps to ensure those communities are not overlooked. A great example of this is the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia, where LDR-EPA is working actively.
This is a historically underserved community and disastrous weather is piled onto their already existing challenges. The exciting part is when an organization like LDR-EPA works with community members to address some of their larger issues and the root causes of their vulnerability. LDR-EPA can help them build resilience to make their neighborhood stronger. I am excited to support the work that LDR-EPA is doing and look forward to additional partnerships in the future.

Jim Himler
Jim Himler
My journey with Liberty Lutheran started around 15 years ago under a trying circumstance. The church which I attend had fallen victim to a fire, and I was asked to head up the reconstruction.
While that was going on another member of the congregation, who was also on the board of the Mary J. Drexel Home, approached me to discuss some needed updates to their building. While this wasn’t my professional background, I found the experience with my congregation rewarding, and knew that I could take this opportunity to continue to make a positive impact as a board member.
I was familiar with the Mary J. Drexel Home, which is now The Hearth at Drexel, as some members of our church had moved into the community. It had always enjoyed a reputation as a place where older adults could receive compassionate care and excellent service. This was known throughout the area, and the board saw opportunities where we could grow and maximize our potential by affiliating with a larger organization.
Eventually, the community joined with Liberty Lutheran. The decision to become a part of the family of services was made quickly and with confidence that we were joining a strong, professional, caring organization that was rooted in the philosophy of service to others.
When you see the people Liberty serves, you realize that the organization truly lives out its mission to faithfully accompany individuals and families. Residents aren’t just sitting around, covered with blankets to keep warm. They are engaged and active. The care that is offered is second to none.
For its part, the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center plays an integral role in the health and wellbeing of its members, while serving as a resource for the area around it as a whole. Liberty’s contributions can also be seen within ministry thanks to the contributions from Lutheran Congregational Services, while Lutheran Disaster Response continues to serve as a source of hope and recovery for many.
Just as the Mary J. Drexel Home enjoyed a positive reputation in the area around it, the same is true for all of the affiliates within Liberty’s family of service. This is all thanks to the commitment that is extended by the incredible staff who make up Liberty Lutheran from the leadership to those who are on the front line.
While compassionate care and the highest level of service were always hallmarks that make our family of services distinct, by acting quickly at the start of the coronavirus pandemic Liberty has served as an example for others to follow. Our staff navigated ever-changing regulations and guidance, while keeping families and residents informed.
There are a variety of ways to give, whether it’s monetary or it’s your time. I give to Liberty Lutheran because I can trust that they meet the needs of the people they serve. You can trust that when Liberty is involved with something, that it will be done correctly and effectively. What’s more, when Liberty is involved in something, they do so with compassion and with the mission to empower others.
We can always contribute to the success of those around us. When we dedicate ourselves to something that creates a better situation for others, we create a more promising future.
Veronica Suber, WPCSS member and donor
Veronica Suber, WPCSS member and donor
The West Philadelphia Senior Community Center (WPSCC) provides a vibrant environment for older adults to engage in activities that stimulate the mind, body, and spirit. When I first went to the Center, I could feel the warmth extended through the friendships that the members shared. The virus hit everyone hard in one way or another. Iwasn’t traveling as much and staying home. With a
little extra to give, I knew that I wanted to make sure the Center could fulfill its mission to help older adults throughout West Philly. In additionto wonderful activities, the Center is a sourceof hope for those who struggle under tryingcircumstances. It was important for me to make sure their mission was sustained. Thanks to the Center, seniors in West Philadelphia have access to resources, friendship, and hope.”
The Elias Family
The Elias Family
Our mother had been living in a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) for 10 years when she developed dementia. We found that the CCRC was not able to provide the activities and social opportunities that she needed. Despite our best efforts she was becoming more and more withdrawn. Several professionals we consulted recommended a move to a memory care unit and when we visited the unit at The Hearth, we knew that this was a place where our mother could be happy and thrive. And indeed, she did. She blossomed with the care and attention of the wonderful Hearth staff.But shortly after she moved to The Hearth COVID-19 became a part of our lives. We saw the many precautions that The Hearth was taking to keep the residents and staff safe and we knew how frightened everyone was. Our parents had taught us that in times like these everyone had to pitch in and help and a donation to the COVID-19 Response Fund seemed like the best way to help.
Norm Barbieri, chair of The Friends of Paul’s Run
The board of The Friends of Paul’s Run appreciates all the different services being provided to the community at no additional expense during the COVID-19 pandemic. We felt that it was our responsibility to financially support these services, which have been so important for the safety of the community. On a personal level, Paul’s Run provides wonderful care to residents. I saw that in how they treated my mother as a resident. Now as a volunteer at the community, I am proud to be a part of that promise of safety, care, and empowerment. As you hear throughout the community, Paul’s Run is simply the best!”