Employees, Family Support Local Hospital

Since the early 1970s, Hallmark and the Hall family have been committed to Children's

Mercy Hospital, located across from Hallmark's headquarters in Kansas City. J.C. Hall, Hallmark founder, was one of the forces behind building the new hospital in 1972.

"With the help of contributors such as Hallmark and the Hall family, Children's Mercy is nationally recognized with some of the best children's medical specialists in the world," says Davoren Tempel, Children's Mercy vice president of resource development. Children come from all over the country to be treated here."

It takes a community to raise a hospital

Since J.C. Hall's original involvement in the 1970s, the Hall family and Hallmark have been the hospital's largest donors. In addition, members of the Hall family and Hallmark executives have served on various boards at the hospital, and hundreds of Hallmarkers volunteer there.

"While we try to support a variety of charitable organizations, there also is value in focusing considerable resources on a few key institutions that are essential to a city's quality of life," says Karen Bartz, community development manager. "Children's Mercy is one of those institutions, and we are proud to be a part of its growth."

The hospital wouldn't be here without the investment, commitment and leadership of the entire community, Davoren says. "The Halls were the leaders who stepped up and showed others in the community how to get it done," she adds.

Hospital touches Hallmarkers lives

Mary Jo Meara, capacity controller, and her family are just one example of the thousands of people who walk through Children's Mercy's doors each year. Mary Jo has volunteered at the hospital for about seven years, heading craft groups for patients one Sunday each month. Last year, she found herself on the receiving side of the hospital's services when her 3-year-old granddaughter was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia.

"Children's Mercy provides a wonderful experience in the midst of a horrible situation," Mary Jo says. "We are fortunate to live in a city with a major pediatric hospital on our front doorstep."

Many Hallmarkers value their volunteer work at Children's Mercy. Mike Schwabauer, creative process specialist II, feels a special connection as he plays Santa on Christmas morning to the children.

"It means so much to the parents and the kids," Mike says. "Our visits bring a lot of smiles."

Hallmarkers give their time to the hospital in many ways including volunteering for the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Child Life program and bringing their pets to visit through the hospital's Pet Pals program.

"Miracles happen here every day," Davoren says. "Those miracles wouldn't be possible without the support of our community."