UMRC Foundation President Wendy Brightman and the UMRC Foundation received LeadingAge Michigan’s 2018 Leading-Edge Care and Services Award. Wendy was honored at LeadingAge Michigan’s 50th Anniversary Awards Gala on May 22 at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan.
The Leading-Edge Care and Services Award recognizes a LeadingAge member organization for programs and services which are models of innovation and excellence and that contribute significantly to the quality of life of individuals served.
In an awards video presented at the event, UMRC Vice President of Project Development Kate Collins said, “Wendy breathes life into ideas and projects that make a lasting and positive impact on the lives of older adults.”
The UMRC Foundation is in the midst of a $26 million Growing to Serve comprehensive campaign to raise funds for capital needs on UMRC’s historic Chelsea campus, as well as life enrichment, resident services, and the Benevolent Care Fund which supports residents who outlive their resources.
“Since Wendy joined us five years ago, the UMRC Foundation has undergone a complete transformation,” said UMRC President and CEO John Thorhauer. “The UMRC Foundation continues to elevate the field of philanthropy in the aging sector.”
Wendy described the success of the campaign thus far as a “team effort,” saying, “We couldn’t do it without the complete commitment of our UMRC Strategic Team and the UMRC Foundation Board of Directors. The Growing to Serve campaign is going exceptionally well and, to date, the UMRC Foundation has raised six of the top ten largest gifts to the aging sector in the nation over the last ten years. I hope this recognition incentivizes other organizations to adopt robust philanthropy programs to support Michigan’s older adults.”
The LeadingAge Michigan Annual Awards Gala honors those who embody excellence in leadership, care, and service innovation, and who have made outstanding contributions to their communities and the field of aging services. The Awards celebrate stories of employees, volunteers, residents, programs, communities, initiatives, best practices, and organizations that have made significant differences in the lives of others.