A Family Legacy
The Koltes family has supported Hammer by serving on the Board of Directors, volunteering at the central office and through gifts made to Hammer in honor of their late daughter, Becky.
By JoAnn Koltes
My family and I have been faithful supporters to Hammer since 1978 when my daughter, Liz, then 16, moved to Hammer. With the help of Hammer caregivers, volunteers and donors, Liz is able to live the independent life she wants with the guidance she needs to make good choices every day.
My husband, Bob, and I taught our five kids to give back to the community through their actions. Bob served on the Hammer Board of Directors in the 1980s, and our son, Joe, joined the board in 2013. I've been volunteering at the central office every Thursday for years. As a family, we've always felt a responsibility to give what we can afford in order to help others and ensure their success. Not just for Liz, but for everyone served by Hammer.
When my daughter, Becky Gromek, passed away suddenly in May, her husband, Donny, and I agreed that in lieu of flowers, memorials would be requested to Hammer. Becky was always very kind, loving and generous, and Hammer has been a big part of our family legacy. To date, more than 90 gifts of all sizes have been received in memory of Becky, a testimony to the love so many had for her and her selfless commitment to others.
When you make a gift to Hammer in the memory of a loved one, you ensure their memory endures for years to come. To learn more about making this type of gift, contact Ellen Timmerman-Borer at (952) 277-2433 or Ellen.TBorer@Hammer.org.