Barbara's Story

A "secret" destination field trip planned for the school age kids touched the heart of Barbara Tillett, who made a generous $10,000.00 donation to our Child Care and Family Center.

Why did that touch her heart and motivate her to give so generously?

Her granddaughter, Heather Bauders, corporate writer for Aultman Hospital, had taken a tour of our Center. The hospital was highlighting our Center for their internal United Way giving campaign. On the day of the tour, Heather learned that the school age kids were holding a bake sale to raise funds for an end of the summer outing to a surprise location. Heather joined in the effort by purchasing cookies and cupcakes. She then learned that the "secret" destination field trip was to a local ice cream stand.

Heather was impressed with what she saw happening at our Center and shared her experience with her grandmother, Barbara Tillett, who happened to be an avid ice cream lover. Heather then brought her grandmother for a visit. Soon afterwards, Mrs. Tillett sent her generous and timely gift toward the purchase of our new activity bus. She and her husband had recently sold some property and they were looking for a worthy cause to support with the proceeds. Learning about our Center...plus a fondness for ice cream...was just the right combination that moved Mrs. Tillett to action. Her gift came with one simple message. "I hope that the children will get to ride the bus to get more ice cream treats often."

Thanks to Mrs. Tillett and other tremendous community supporters, our new activity bus has been transporting our children on many wonderful educational and fun field trips. The bus also is used to transport children to our Center before and after school.

Upon Mrs. Tillett's passing, Heather shared with us that during her final week, her grandmother spoke of our J. R. Coleman kids with a smile and expressed her hope once again that ice cream treat trips would happen often.

Mrs. Tillett's family chose J.R. Coleman as a charity for donors to send memorial gifts in her name. It is evident by the numerous gifts we received that her legacy has touched many people and her memory lives on in special ways.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT DONATING NOW CONTACT Cathy Toth at 330.455.3873 ext. 406 or CONTACT US!