Bethesda Donors Share Their Connection to Our Mission
Every one of our generous donors has a unique perspective and reason for why they choose to support Bethesda with their own hard-earned dollars. Here’s what a few of them had to say.
Pam – Bethesda Inspired Me!
In 1968- when I was a college student – I took a summer job at Bethesda. My provided recreation for non-ambulatory residents. I enjoyed it so much that I changed my college major so I could become a Special Ed teacher. I met many wonderfully special children during my career – thanks to Bethesda!
Paul: Remembering Thomas Boenisch
As a member of the Lutheran Church- MO Synod growing up we always heard about and had people visit to talk about it and the work that was done, but until I met my husband, I didn’t fully understand. His brother, Thomas Boenisch, lived there until his death. It was very hard for my in-laws to send him there from Sheboygan, WI. at the age of 8. They made many visits and brought him home for visits. He was a special groomsman for our wedding. He seemed to like it there most of the time. The school had a hard time placing him in the right section at times. He had a very low IQ, but mimicked everything he saw. He was VERY observant. Bethesda’s staff for the most was excellent at helping him to improve. They were cutting edge at the time Tom joined the school. You are still one of the leaders in teaching special education techniques. We still miss Tom and want to thank you for all the work that you do.
Patricia: Thank you for all you do for this family!
I write this on our daughter’s 53rd birthday and she has lived at Mosquero House in Mission Viego, California since December 1999. When she was born, the doctors said she would not live beyond adolescence, but God has been good and He has seen her through many life threatening circumstances. I was heartbroken when I left her there that day, but I knew it was right for her to seek some kind of independence and have her own life. Six month’s later, my husband had a heart attack, leading to many years of ill-health, when I would have been hard-pressed to care for them both.
I will be everlastingly grateful for the care with which Bethesda has blessed us all these years and I cannot imagine how we, as a family, would have survived without them, knowing that we could depend on them to give Frances the love and care she deserves. Since March 2020, the Day Program has been closed and Frances’ life, together with thousands of other’s has been upended. The burden has been placed on the shoulders of the Bethesda organization and I applaud their constancy and commitment to our loved-ones. Thank you for all you do for this family and for hundreds of other families up and down the country, may you be allowed to continue this sterling service!