Who We Are
Covenant Foundation, Inc. exists to "develop friends and resources for Covenant Medical Center." As the charitable fund-raising arm of the hospital, the Foundation seeks to bring together the gifts and resources of the community to help meet the healthcare needs of those who are served in all areas of the hospital. Covenant Foundation is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code, so that all gifts received are fully tax deductible. The Foundation’s administrative expenses are donated by the medical center, so that 100 % of every public gift and donation can be used for its intended purpose. Our History
Covenant Foundation, Inc. was created in 1988 through the merger of the Schoitz and St. Francis Hospital Foundations. In the fifteen years since its creation, the Foundation has served thousands of patients and families through the purchase of technical and specialized equipment, the construction and improvement of physical facilities, and community education program that promote health and illness prevention.
Community Volunteers
A 20 member Board of Trustees governs the work of Covenant Foundation, Inc. These community representatives serve without compensation, meeting nine times during the course of the year. Current officers and Trustees are:
Officers:
Mary Swehla, Chair
Dave Peters, Vice-Chair
Shirley Dunlap, Secretary
John Pedersen, Treasurer
Cassandra Foens, MD, Past Chair
Trustees:
Uyntha Duncan
Jack Dusenbery
Edward Gallagher Jr.
Beth Lee
Kathy Lee
Mike Mallaro
Lori McConville
Bernard McKinley
Roger Neumann
Louise Porter
Jason Rogers
Brian Sims, D.O.
Robert Singer, M.D.
Stephen Thorpe
Fran Waring
Our Staff
 | Heather Bremer-Miller joined Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare as Executive Director of the Covenant Foundation and Sartori Health Care Foundation in June, 2006. Prior to joining Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Heather served as the Director of Development in the Colleges of Natural Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences at UNI, as Foundation Officer for Hawkeye Community College and as Development Director for the American Cancer Society. You may contact Heather directly by calling (319) 272-7678 or e-mail to Heather.BremerMiller@wfhc.org. |  | Deb Collum-Calderwood joined Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare as the Annual and Planned Gifts Coordinator of the Covenant Foundation in December, 2006. Prior to joining Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Deb served as the Executive Director for Tama County Economic Development in Toledo, IA for 6 years and Executive Director for the "Grinnell 2000 Foundation" in Grinnell from 1998 to 2000. You may contact Deb directly by calling (319) 272-7677 or e-mail to Deb.Calderwood@wfhc.org.
|  | Christy Stolz joined Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare as Administrative Assistant of the Covenant Foundation in July, 2006. Prior to joining Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, Christy served as a Supervisor in the Managed Care division of the VGM Group for 6 years. You may contact Christy directly by calling (319) 272-7676 or e-mail to Christy.Stolz@wfhc.org |  | Kristin Schaefer has been with Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare for ten years, most recently as Speaking of Women’s Health Coordinator. Kristin looks forward to sharing opportunities with area physicians related to the upcoming conference. New to the Foundation office, you may contact Kristin by calling 319-272-7679 or email Kristin.Schaefer@wfhc.org |
Special Projects
 Speaking of Women’s Health
Women in Northeast Iowa are invited to ignite their passion for living well at the Speaking of Women’s Health event. Speaking of Women’s Health and Covenant Foundation believe in "Saving Lives through Education," in a fun, pampering environment.
A day at a Speaking of Women’s Health Conference allows women to step away from their hurried everyday lives, focus on taking care of just themselves for one day, and rejuvenate their spirits. Traveling to only 30 cities across the country, Speaking of Women’s Health is a unique health care event to educate women to make informed decisions about their health, well being and personal safety.
The 2007 Speaking of Women’s Health Conference will take place on Friday, October 5, 2007 at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. The event typically sells out in one day. Please watch the Waterloo Courier for ticket information. For more information contact Kristin Schaefer at Kristin.Schaefer@wfhc.org or 319-272-7679.
Heroes Among Us
Our 2006 “Heroes Among Us” winners are: Dozr, the dog, Animal Hero; William T. Jochumsen, Community Service Hero; Bruce Wingert, Good Samaritan Adult Hero; Alexis Hahn, Good Samaritan Youth Hero; Ryan Kauffman, Medical/Health Care Hero; Sean Sejkora, Military Hero; Denise Warns, Nature Hero; Mike Heerkes & Brent Smeins, Public Safety Heroes; Gilbert Brainard, Work Place Safety Hero. Thank you heroes among us, and thank you sponsors for helping us raise a record amount of dollars. More than $33,000 will benefit the Sartori and Covenant Emergency Services Departments. This year’s sponsors are: Barmuda MMC, Mix ’96 & 1650 The Fan, KWWL Iowa’s News Channel, Martin Bros., US Army Recruiting Waterloo, Iowa, Den Herder Veterinary Hospital, Brookside Veterinary Hospital, Scott’s Electric, Inc., Gray Transportation, Wasendorf Group, Tyson Fresh Meats, Courier Communications, Magee Construction Company, Iowa Metal Spinners Inc., Simpson Furniture, First National Bank Cedar Falls, John Deere Waterloo Operations, Pioneer Graphics, The Mudd Group, Uyntha Duncan & Family, Cedar Falls Lutheran Home, Western Home Communities, Standard Golf Company, Peterson Contractors, Inc.-PCI, Rosewood Estate/Friendship Village, Hawkeye Community College, RE/MAX Commercial Cedar Valley, Vern & Donna Nelson-Nelson Properties, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network-Mark Funk, CLU; Jag’s Java, Windor, Inc., Walden Photo, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., LKS Career Connections, Inc., Trapp Realtors GMAC Real Estate, Heartland Inn, Gemini Concepts, Inc., Peters Construction Corp.,RE/MAX Home Group, KBBG Radio, Hudson Floral & Gifts, PDCM Insurance, Nagle Signs. The 2008 “Heroes Among Us” Awards Breakfast is March 27, 2008 at the Park Place Events Centre. Please be looking for your Heroes of 2007. Nominations will begin this fall. To learn more about this event, contact Deb Calderwood@wfhc.org Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Golf Classic
The first annual Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Golf Classic was held Monday, May 21st at the Beaver Hills Golf and Country Club. Over 80 golfers participated. The Foundation staff received rave reviews from participants. All proceeds benefit the Foundation’s at Sartori, Covenant, and Mercy in Oelwein. Be sure to save the date for the 2008 WFH Golf Classic on Monday, May 19, 2008. Speaking of Women’s Health Tween Event
On May 10th, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare was the first in the nation to host the Speaking of Women’s Girls Night Out for girls age 10-13 and their moms. The National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation and Covenant Foundation welcomed over 600 guests to enjoy an evening focused on the latest on health, wellness, self-esteem and to provide a special bonding event. From body image to communication, mom’s received straight-talk about what it means to be a “tween” --- those “oh, so important years” before they become teenagers.
Speaking of Women’s Health recognizes the impact moms and other women make in young girls’ lives and the need to provide moms with the tools to help their tween daughters be strong and be healthy. The Speaking of Women’s Health initiative locally provides a forum where physicians and health care professionals can come together to educate women in a relaxed and pampering environment. Through education, women are encouraged to dialogue more effectively with providers of care for themselves and their loved ones. Bell and Ornament Campaign
One of the lovely traditions of the Covenant Foundation is the annual sale of a special holiday bell. This year will mark the 24th year. The holiday bells go on sale in November. For more information contact Christy Stolz at christy.stolz@wfhc.org.
Annual Report
The annual report is a 12-month calendar that provides highlights of the Foundation year, and offers another opportunity to say thank you to our donors. The foundation invites all WFH associates to submit photos and a small review committee selects the winning entries that are featured in the calendar. For a copy of the annual report, please contact Christy Stolz at Christy.Stolz@wfhc.org The Covenant Auxiliary
Scholarships being accepted now through March 25, 2008. The Covenant Medical Center Auxiliary and the Sartori Memorial Hospital Auxiliary have scholarships available for students planning a health care career. These scholarships are for the 2008-09 academic year and will be awarded in May 2008. Qualified applicants must be graduating high school students intending to pursue a career in a health-related program or currently enrolled in a post high school health related program of studies. To learn more or apply, please download the following two links. Questions may be directed to Lois Brimmer at 319.234.2669 or Sandra Williamson at 319.277.1633.
docs/2008 Scholarship Info Sheet.doc
docs/2008 Auxiliary Scholarship Application.doc
Covenant Medical Center and the community, and to raise funds for the benefit of Covenant Medical Center. The Auxiliary provides scholarships for qualified applicants in the health field. Scholarship applications are available each spring. For more information contact Christy Stolz at christy.stolz@wfhc.org.
The Covenant Medical Center Auxiliary presented a $75,000 check to the Covenant Foundation. Pictured to the left is Mary Kay Klieman, Lead Gift Shop Coordinator, and Heather Bremer-Miller, Executive Director, Covenant Foundation. This is a $25,000 increase over last year. Thank you to the Covenant Auxiliary members.
The Covenant Auxiliary is a voluntary organization of about 350 members. Its purpose is to promote cooperative interest between
The Auxiliary also conducts several fund raising events throughout the year. A highlight of the year include the bazaar and craft sale, book sales, scrub sale, and a spring luncheon and style show. To learn more about the Covenant Auxiliary contact Mary Kay Klieman at MaryKay.Klieman@wfhc.org. 
Left to Right - Linda Wessels, Kathy Swisher and Mary Kay Klieman
Linda Wessels and Kathy Swisher are gift shop coordinators helping to arrange the activities and services at that gift shops. You can e-mail Linda at Linda.Wessels@wfhc.org or Kathy at Kathy.Swisher@wfhc.org.
Joint Planned Giving Advisory Council
Covenant Foundation Inc. and Sartori Health Care Foundation have formed a joint Planned Giving Advisory Council to guide the Foundations’ planned giving efforts. Pictured from left to right. Front row, Judy Benson, Correll Law Firm; Heather Bremer-Miller, Executive Director, Covenant Foundation & Sartori Health Care Foundation; Second Row, Dina Figurski, Interim Fund Development Director, Sartori Foundation; Deb Calderwood, Coordinator of Annual and Planned Gifts, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare; Brian Powers, Ameriprise Financial, Third Row, Mark Miller, Arthur Davis Publishing, Russell Curtis, US Bank; Timothy Brodahl, Wells Fargo, and Steve Thorpe, Northwestern Mutual. Not pictured, Al Bernard, Bergan, Paulson & Company; Roger Neumann, McGladrey & Pullen.
Ways to Give Cash/Check are welcomed by the Covenant Foundation. Gifts may be sent to: Covenant Foundation 3421 West Ninth Street Waterloo, Iowa 50702 Credit Card by telephone is available for your convenience. You may call Christy Stolz at 319-272-7676. As with any gift, this information is kept completely confidential. Memorial Gifts and Tribute Gifts are a special way to honor a loved one, friend, co-worker’s life, or to recognize a provider, nurse or department at Covenant. Other gift options include celebrating a special birthday or anniversary. A gift of any type or size is welcome. Unlike, flowers or a card, a contribution to the Covenant Foundation is a lasting way to remember or pay tribute to that special person. When we receive your gift, an engraved plaque will be added to the Covenant Medical Center’s Memorial or Tribute recognition board, and a special acknowledgement card will be sent to the person or family you are honoring. The amount of the gift will not be disclosed to the individual or family. Memorial gifts may be directed to a particular area of the hospital or to the general unrestricted fund. To make a gift, please include the name of the person or people you wish to honor or memorialize, and the name and address for anyone who should be notified of your generosity. Questions may be directed to Christy Stolz at 319-272-7676 or Christy.Stolz@wfhc.org Planned Gifts Retirement Assets (ie. 401K, IRA, etc.) Consider making the Covenant Foundation a secondary beneficiary of your retirement fund or consider leaving a percentage of your retirement fund to the Foundation. There may be some very attractive tax advantages. Currently, Federal law allows individuals aged 70½ and older to make gifts in 2007 directly from their IRA to qualified charities such as the Covenant Foundation. Such a gift counts toward your 2007 required minimum distribution. You are allowed to transfer up to $100,000. The charitable transfer will not be included in your taxable income. While you will not be able to claim an income tax deduction, there are tax benefits for certain taxpayers. You do not itemize your federal tax deductions. Without this law, you would have to report your IRA withdrawal as taxable income and yet couldn’t deduct your contribution as a charitable deduction because you claim the standard deduction. You have a high income that causes you to lose the deductibility of part of your itemized deductions. By taking advantage of this temporary benefit, you enhance the ability of Covenant Medical Center and Covenant Clinic to provide quality health care to the thousands of people we serve in the Cedar Valley and Northeast Iowa. You should consult with your personal tax advisor. Members of our Planned Giving Committee stand ready to assist you and your advisor. For more information, please contact Deb Calderwood, Coordinator of Annual and Planned Gifts, at 319-272-7677 or Deb.Calderwood@wfhc.org Bequests are a significant way to remember Covenant Medical Center. A bequest in your will or estate plan will positively impact health care at Covenant for years to come. The legal language is provided below to assist you and your financial advisor. Bequest for General purposes “I give and bequeath to the Covenant Foundation, Inc. the sum of $_____,or _____% of my estate to be used for the general support purposes as determined by the Covenant Foundation Board of Trustees”. Bequest for Specific Purpose “I give and bequeath to the Covenant Foundation, Inc. the sum of $_____,or _____% of my estate to be used to support_____________________. Appreciated Assets – gifts of appreciated securities, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate are probably the most economical way for donors to make a charitable contribution to the Covenant Foundation. Gifts of appreciated assets may offer substantial tax advantages. Life insurance – by making the Covenant Foundation a beneficiary in your life insurance policy is a nice way to make a substantial contribution without disturbing other assets. Some tax advantages may be available. Charitable Remainder Trust is encouraged as a method of making gifts to the Covenant Foundation. This option allows you to make a significant gift to the Covenant Foundation while increasing or retaining your retirement income. Charitable Gift Annuity is a gift option that requires a minimum initial contribution of $10,000. This is a wonderful way to support Covenant Medical Center while simultaneously receiving a fixed income during the donor’s lifetime. Gift planning is an excellent way to support the Covenant Foundation. Our staff is available to assist you and your advisors with your overall estate, financial and tax planning goals. Please contact Deb Calderwood at 319-272-7677 or Deb.Calderwood@wfhc.org for more details. Giving Clubs All public donors who make a gift during the fiscal year are invited to attend a reception in the fall at Covenant Medical Center. Donors who make gifts of $100 and above receive an engraved plaque on the donor board in Covenant Medical Center. All Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare associate donors are invited to a cheesecake reception at Covenant Medical Center. All associate donors who make gifts of $100 and above receive an engraved plaque on the donor board in Covenant Medical Center. Otto Schoitz/St. Francis Society commemorates the joining of the two health care organizations into Covenant Medical Center. Friends of the Foundation who make $1,000 gifts and above to the annual campaign are enrolled in the Otto Schoitz/St. Francis Society. These friends are invited to a fall reception at Covenant Medical Center. Additionally, the Foundation hosts an event at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center featuring hors d’oeuvres, drinks and a performance. Our Otto Schoitz/St. Francis Society friends are recognized on a special donor board in Covenant Medical Center.
$100-$250 Pacesetters Club
$250-499 Builders Club $500-999 Associates Club $1,000 Otto Schoitz/St. Francis Society $15,000 Otto Schoitz/St. Francis Society Lifetime Otto Schoitz/St. Francis Society Lifetime Members are friends of the Foundation who have made $15,000 gifts and above over their lifetime. The Covenant Foundation is appreciative of our donor’s deep commitment to health care in our communities. Lifetime members receive engraved plaques in two areas of Covenant Medical Center. Lifetime members also receive invitations to exclusive open houses, tours, and presentations. Legacy Society recognizes and honors our friends who have informed us of their intent to make an investment in Covenant Medical Center with a planned or deferred gift. We are deeply appreciative of the foresight and generosity of our Legacy Society friends. Our Legacy Society friends receive an engraved plaque on the Legacy Tree located at the main visitor’s entrance of Covenant Medical Center. Legacy members also receive invitations to exclusive open houses, tours, and presentations. Joining is simple. Please contact the Covenant Foundation if you have included us in your will, trust, life insurance policy, retirement plan or other planned or deferred gift. Endowments are an excellent way to leave a legacy at Covenant. A permanent designated and/or named endowment may be established with a minimum gift of $25,000. A portion of the interest is spent each year, while the principal and a portion of the gains are reinvested to continue to build the endowment so it will be there for years to come. |
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