A desire to make a difference

Mike and Ginny McBride share one simple belief when it comes to their philanthropy: “The best purpose of one’s life is to invest in something that will outlast your own life.” That is the reason they have endowed scholarships at their colleges and contributed to building projects for organizations they support annually.

The origins of their generosity reach back to their respective childhoods. “Our parents were very giving,” Mike explains. “They didn’t have the means to give money, but they had the ability to give of their time and talent.” Their shared faith also played a big role in their desire to give back and make a difference in people’s lives.

With successful careers in business and nursing respectively, these now-retired high school sweethearts—married for 59 years—are making a serious impact with their gifts. Including with Children’s Wisconsin.

The McBrides experienced the life-changing work of Children’s up close when one of their granddaughters was treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and was eventually diagnosed with a chromosomal condition called Cri-du-chat Syndrome. “Children’s diagnosed this rare syndrome, and with all their treatments and such, they definitely fit the category of ‘making a difference in people’s lives,’” said Ginny.

In 2013, the McBrides took their annual giving a step further and established a generous estate gift designated to the same NICU that helped their granddaughter more than a decade ago. Mike adds, “We just have this desire to make a difference in people’s lives.”

By establishing their estate gift for Children’s, Mike and Ginny are ensuring that future Wisconsin kids and their families will be able to receive the best possible care and treatment.