Donor Stories - The Pillars 

We're lucky. Not every community has them. People who are committed to making a major difference are not a dime a dozen. While there are many ways to contribute to St. Helena Hospital, quality healthcare cannot exist without major financial support.

Following are some of the people-a cross section of our community-who have committed six and seven figure gifts to the 24/7 Endowment, the long-term fund for sustaining excellence at St. Helena Hospital. Why? Their answers may surprise you.

Evalyn and Bob Trinchero

Drs. Evalyn and Bob Trinchero, (Ph.D. Honoris Causa in philanthropy) grew up in the Valley, know every inch of it—mostly from the inside, as active leaders in its wine industry, service clubs, kids sport leagues and not for profit community services. Bob has served as a director of the SHH Foundation Board since 1995. In November 2002, Bob appeared as chair of the 24/7 Endowment Committee on the cover of 24/7 Magazine, kicking off the 24/7 Endowment campaign.

Why are the Trincheros making annual gifts of stock to the Endowment? “We saw, as newlyweds,” says Evalyn, “that there were people before us who always seemed to be there for the community—the Lamberts and Al Carpy—and we saw that it really made a big difference. So when my husband invented White Zinfandel, we thought maybe it was our turn—maybe it was meant for us to play a part during our lifetime.

“Out our back window, we have a ‘picture’ framed of St. Helena Hospital,” continues Evalyn. Just two minutes from their home, Evalyn feels that the SHH’s proximity has on more than one occasion been perhaps lifesaving. But she also sees SHH as a proactive, positive force in the community.

 “I see [the hospital] trying to keep us healthy,” says Evalyn. “I see such positive things--like the ONE program. I'm strongly in support of dealing with an illness before you get it.”

“ I have so much confidence in the hospital,” says Bob. “And at our age,” he chuckles, “this is about the time when things start going wrong. We want the best and we don't want to have to travel far for it—and there it is!”

Endowment Gift Method: Transfer of Stock

Wish to the community: “Happiness. Better the hospital, better the community. It’s as simple as that.”

Mabel and Wayne Johnson

Coming from a background of thrift and innovation (in 1962 Mabel’s father, Sattimo Dal Porto, was the first grape grower to use a sprinkler system for frost prevention as well as irrigation) Mabel and the late Wayne Johnson created the first Charitable Remainder Trust in favor of St. Helena Hospital .

Since then, they have continued to make St. Helena Hospital a priority. A recent gift to the hospital is The Mabel and Wayne Johnson Urology Suite. But their main focus has been the Johnson Medical Equipment Endowment Fund to help the hospital obtain capital for the latest technology.

“I think this is exactly what the hospital has always needed—an endowment,” says
Mabel. “This gives us a secure future so that this hospital can plan ahead and keep improving.”

The St. Helena High sweethearts spent their lives in the Napa Valley. Though they were dedicated employees at the local PG&E office, family, friends and community ties were always top priority. Mabel, a Native Daughter of the Golden West since 1970 and part of the Tuesday afternoon bowling league, can’t begin to count the number of hours she’s spent organizing high school reunions and volunteering in the community. At SHH alone, since 1996, Mabel has donated more than 2,000 hours at the hospital—another testimony of dedication to what she and Wayne felt was a key community resource.

Endowment Gift Methods: Charitable Remainder Trust, funded with stock
and real estate

Audrey and Bruce Anderson

Bruce Anderson, MD, is a pioneer. As senior psychiatrist at St. Helena Hospital since 1986, Bruce oversaw the addition of California Specialty Hospital in Vallejo (the only North Bay psychiatric facility that will admit children as a key part of the continuum of SHH’s psychiatric services. Bruce and his wife Audrey, who was certified as a nurse, were also the first hospital physician family to make a tax-planned gift to SHH—a charitable remainder trust.

Since then, they have made other gifts, including memorial gifts and a partial donation of Bruce’s interest in the campus Professional Building where physicians have their medical offices.

Five generations of his family, including Bruce and Audrey’s children, have called the Valley “home” since Bruce’s great grandfather Charles Landis, MD, was superintendent (president) of the hospital. His father, Charles Landis Anderson, MD, also practiced psychiatry at SHH.

“People should invest in the things that they value,” says Bruce. He’s been investing in SHH for most of his professional career, not only with cash but also through his important roll in the growth of SHH’s behavioral health programs, which in addition to the dedicated facility in Vallejo, includes clinics outside the hospital, a hospital unit, and campus-based addiction programs.

“In a world of acquisitions and mergers, we look for something lasting. I find it personally satisfying to make an impact that will endure—something bigger than just me.” Though his 26-year career at SHH has been dedicated to making people whole, Bruce still notes that philanthropy  “is one of the most rewarding ways of giving back.” 

Endowment Gift method: Charitable Remainder Trust and Cash

Wish to the community: “Good health through connection with the hospital that not only treats disease, but promotes health.”

Virginia and Ernie Van Asperen

Virginia and Ernie Van Asperen are always seeking an adventure. Sailing around the world, driving a new motor home across the country, and playing tennis are a few of their favorite things.  And after several successful business ventures, Virginia and Ernie sold their Round Hill Winery in 2000 to embark on a new adventure—retirement.

“In retirement, I love getting up every day and seeing what wonderful experience can happen to me today, ” says Virginia. “I always said, when I retire, I want to do something of importance. I want to be involved in the community, where I can be of help.”

And “something of importance” is exactly what they have done. After two major gifts to the 24/7 Endowment through two charitable gift annuities, the Van Asperen Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery now supports the ongoing advancement of minimally invasive procedures for patients of St. Helena Hospital.

“What really fascinates me are the things that are happening tomorrow. This [minimally invasive surgery] is something new and innovative” says Virginia.  “It is exciting where the future of research and medicine is going. It’s going in favor of the patient—the patient’s comfort and wellness.”

At the opening of the Van Asperen Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Ernie gave this impromptu speech:

“I have always led a very exciting life. I flew heavy bombers during World War II. I’ve had many exciting businesses—but I’m a failure at retiring. I’ve retired eight times. It was an adjustment when I retired for the last time. It left an empty feeling. Now I find our involvement with the hospital exciting. This feels like a new start.”

Endowment Gift Method: Charitable Gift Annuity, funded with cash

 Wish to the community with their gift: “That the hospital continue on the path of being one of the greatest community hospitals in the country.”

Jerald R. Hyde

Jerry Hyde loves the amicability of small-town living. He moved to St. Helena almost 30 years ago “for the same sense of community that I had known growing up,” says Jerry, who was raised in Campbell, California.

A scientist and architectural acoustics consultant, Jerry has been involved with several local projects, including the 2003 rebirth of the Napa Valley Opera House. When Jerry is not consulting or participating in international conferences (this past May, he chaired a session of the US Acoustical Society in New York on multi-sensory integration in concert halls), he is gardening, running, cooking and working for the community. He’s served on the town planning commission, helped with school fundraising, mentored students, coached soccer and volleyball, and taught Greek mythology and Latin. His newfound interest is St. Helena Hospital.

“I’m an advocate for being personally involved and hands on,” says Jerry. “When I became aware of the good things that St. Helena Hospital is doing, I wanted to do something. In thinking about my estate plan, it was clear to me that I would like to leave a legacy, something that would benefit the community and something that I can be proud of having done.”

Motivated by those who have already given to the 24/7 Endowment, Jerry says, “If people I know are leading by example, then I feel almost an obligation to do the same. There is only so much that the hospital can get done by being financially sound. It’s going to take the extra step in getting philanthropic support from our community to keep that excellence.” 

Endowment Gift Method: Charitable Gift Annuity, funded with stock

Wish to the community with his gift: “I would encourage everyone who can to consider St. Helena Hospital as part of their estate plan. It’s good for the Hospital, it’s good for them, and therefore it’s good for the community.”

Fran and John Pershing

For the past six years, John Pershing has had a special job at St. Helena Hospital.

John, a Stanford economics graduate and retired grape grower, is a volunteer. Instantly, he can be a friend to any patient he escorts, nurse he works with, and doctor or staff person he comes into contact with.

When asked why he volunteers, John simply says, “I love it! Whatever I’m doing, I’m helping someone, and each task is worthwhile. The patients and the staff are great—it is a joy to work with all of them.”

With this same passion, John and his wife, Fran, decided to invest in St. Helena Hospital by starting a charitable remainder trust. John says, “It was easy for us [to invest in St. Helena Hospital] because I’m here three or four times a week volunteering—I can see what the money is going to do, what it is doing and what good it has done.”  John is also a member of the Foundation Board and is the chair of the Finance and Investment Committee—just another way he stays abreast of hospital affairs.

With their wide variety of interests such as collecting fine art (Fran is an accomplished painter) and traveling, the Pershings are lifelong philanthropists and have supported a variety of organizations. 

Endowment Gift Method: Charitable Remainder Trust, funded with stock      

Wish to the community with their gift: “Robin Lail is right on the money when she says, ‘I think this should be the best hospital in the country, period.’ We need to keep aiming at the top.”

A gift to the 24/7 Endowment is never exhausted. Since only the income from the invested gift is spent, the original gift remains in tact and provides an ever-renewing source of income.

For more information about the 24/7 Endowment, please contact Elaine John, Foundation President and CEO, at 707-963-6406 or via email at johnem@ah.org.