Redlands Community Hospital Foundation Tesitimonial
Generosity Takes Two
Joseph and Tracey Petrotta are not only long-time employees of Redlands
Community Hospital (RCH), they also are long-time donors. Joseph, who
has worked at the hospital for 19 years, is the director of Patient Financial
Services. Tracey has been employed at the hospital for 11 years as a financial
assistant in the Ambulatory Infusion Center.
Both Joseph and Tracey have been donating to the Redlands Community Hospital
Foundation (RCHF) each pay period for a combined 31 years. “We always
try to give back,” Joseph says, “and donating to the hospital
seems natural. We see first-hand the hospital’s values and dedication
to the community.”
The Petrottas donate to RCHF automatically through payroll deduction. Employees
who opt for payroll deduction can choose to donate to a general hospital
fund or to support a specific area of the hospital. “We are not
involved in patient care but by donating to the Foundation, we are able
to support the hospital and those who treat and heal patients,”
Tracey says.
Joseph says when their donations are combined with the contributions of
other employees the funds have a real impact. “We see where the
money goes whether it is for new equipment or programs,” he says,
“and we are able to see what a difference it makes to our patients.”
Redlands Community Hospital Foundation Testimonial
Grateful for High-Quality Local Care
Jon Scharer, 83, woke up early New Year’s Eve morning and could not
move the right side of his body. His wife, Juley, rushed him to Redlands
Community Hospital (RCH) where doctors diagnosed and treated him for a
stroke. Scharer welcomed 2018 from a hospital bed, but feels fortunate
that he has no noticeable lingering effects from the stroke.
“Many people do not realize how important it is to have high-quality
care like Redlands Community
Hospital right in our community,” Scharer says The Scharers have
trusted the hospital with their family’s care for decades. Shortly
after they moved to Redlands in 1965, their toddler son suffered convulsions.
“He was very ill with spinal meningitis and spent several weeks in
the hospital,” Scharer says. “He got fabulous care––efficient
and thorough.”
Scharer, who was the first principal of Mariposa Elementary School in the
Redlands Unified School District, was no stranger to the hospital when
it came to receiving care for himself. Prior to his stroke, he had several
surgeries that required lengthy hospital stays at RCH.
“I know that I always will receive very good care from the staff
throughout the hospital,” Scharer says. “The hospital and
staff are a very positive influence in our community. I can sincerely
say that giving back to the hospital is my privilege and honor considering
the care that was given to me there. I feel that it is up to our community
to financially support our hospital whenever we can.”
Redlands Community Hospital Foundation Testimonial
Growing Relationship With Redlands Inspires Gift With Double the Benefits
After Jake Jacobson retired from the military, he and his wife, Jan, decided
to settle in Redlands, California, not only for the warm weather, but
also for the warm community. “There’s so much volunteerism,” Jan says.
The couple join in the community spirit and give back to a variety of organizations.
“On Mondays, I volunteer at the A.K. Smiley Public Library,”
Jake says. “As a retired Air Force pilot, I’m a part of the
Orange Empire Military Officers’ Club.”
“Also, Jake’s the publisher and I’m the editor for the
California Retired Teachers Association newsletter,” Jan says. “And
I write educational grants for the Redlands Educational Partnership Foundation.”
When the Jacobsons aren’t volunteering, they enjoy golfing, which
led to one of their connections with Redlands Community Hospital. “In
June of every year, I work in the hospital’s fundraising tournament,”
Jake says. “This started getting me interested in what the hospital
was doing. Also, I became a patient a couple of times, and the treatment
was absolutely wonderful.”
Of the many positive experiences Jan and Jake have had with Redlands, it
was learning about the hospital’s community outreach that made them
decide to give financially. “I attended a presentation where I realized
for the first time that Redlands set up a free clinic in an impoverished
area,” Jan says. “That was the tipping point.”
In 2008, the couple sold some property and made a donation to the Redlands
Community Hospital Foundation. “We gave the Redlands Hospital Foundation
a Vanguard account that we had for many years,” Jake says. “It
helped them and helped us lower the taxes from the sale. It’s nice
that you can give to the hospital and benefit yourself at the same time.”
“My husband and I think that helping others is about the best thing
you can do,” Jan says. “And giving to Redlands is a fantastic
way to help the community.”
A Commitment to Our Community
As the only nonprofit community hospital in the county, Redlands Community
Hospital belongs to the community and is committed to its care. If you’re
interested in finding out how you can include Redlands Community Hospital
Foundation in your estate plan, please
email Jan Opdyke or call
(909) 335-5540.
Your generosity could make it possible for Redlands to advance our resources
and acquire new CT cancer detecting technology that allows better imaging,
better detection and better treatment for our patients.