Personal Connection to Children’s Inspires Ann to Give

Ann Freudenthal has included a gift to Children’s in her estate plans knowing that she will be able to help families far into the future.

Ann Freudenthal’s introduction to Children’s Wisconsin began the same way as many others did: by visiting a loved one. In 2002, Ann’s nephew Hans was born at 27 weeks and weighed less than 3 pounds. Hans spent the first two months of his life in Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Ann recalls visiting her nephew during his hospital stay. “It was really emotional, holding his tiny hand and seeing how little his body was,” Ann remembers. “I never had a personal experience with Children’s or knew exactly what went on within the hospital and clinic walls until then, and it really opened my eyes to what they can do for kids.”

With the help of his doctors and nurses, Hans grew healthy and soon went home, and Ann’s connection with Children’s expanded from there. She started volunteering at the annual Miracle Marathon event, a 36-hour radiothon showcasing the patients, families, physicians, and staff who contribute to our story. Ann enjoyed the excitement when calls rushed in after inspirational patient stories aired and has continued to volunteer at this and many other events supporting Children’s for 14 years since. She has come to know Children’s staff members as well as patient families—“it really starts to feel like you are part of their team,” Ann said of the familiar faces she sees every year at our Briggs & Al’s Run & Walk.

The feeling of being a part of something bigger has appealed to Ann from an early age, and she can trace her charitable involvement back to a high school leadership program she attended. “They gave me a plaque that says ‘it is in giving that we receive’ and I still have it displayed in my kitchen.” Her commitment to charitable giving extends to her estate plans, where Ann has named Children’s and a few other charities she is close to. She credits her passion for kids and her personal connection to Children’s in the decision to establish a legacy gift. “I don’t have kids of my own so I feel blessed to be able to help other families. Choosing Children’s was easy because I know all the good that my gift will do,” Ann explains.

The joy Ann has found in volunteering and helping others is unmistakable. She loves meeting new people and giving her time and treasure to causes that make an impact in her community. And her excitement is contagious—she has quickly inspired new neighbors to join her volunteering efforts. Ann is an important part of the Children’s Wisconsin story, and we are grateful for her generous support over the years.