The Herald - Winter 2022

4
Archangel Corner
Becky (right) pictured with
her late mother Betty.
For Becky Dunster—a loyal
supporter of Mercy Home—
generosity is built into her family’s
legacy. For years, her mother,
Betty, shared her love, support,
and prayers with the children in
our care—just like her own mother
before her. So, when Betty passed
away last year, Becky made the
incredible decision to carry on her
family’s tradition and, not only give
regularly to our young people, but
also include Mercy Home in her will.
A mother to two adult children, Becky lives in Kansas, where she
works as a client relationship manager for 12 credit unions across
the country. Below, she shares what it is about Mercy Home that has
inspired generations in her family to open their hearts to our children.
On Generosity as the Key to Happiness
“My mother always said to find true happiness in life, you must be
outward focused. Focus on doing things for others; make someone
else’s life better because you’re part of it. Materialistic things won’t
bring you happiness in the end, but the relationships you nurture on
life’s journey will.”
The Family Legacy
“When my mother took over a recurring donation to Mercy
Home after my grandmother passed away, she would save me the
newsletters to read. As I learned more about Mercy Home, I realized
it stood for many things my mother valued—religion, education, and
good values.
My mother was a reading teacher for more than 35 years, and she
truly believed that if you treated each child with respect and kindness,
and made them feel loved and valued, they would thrive. She said
every parent sends you the best they have in their children and it’s
up to teachers to give their very best back to them. I think she was
running her own small Mercy Home with the small groups of children
sent to her from the regular classroom for special reading lessons.”
Following in Her Mother’s Footsteps
“I was the executor of my mom’s will after she passed, so it was no
surprise to me to find a bequest to Mercy Home. When I was sending
that in, I made the decision to carry on the tradition of a recurring
donation and include a final bequest in my will.
There are many things I like about Mercy Home, mainly that it’s a
long-term program aimed at helping kids become educated, develop
a sense of self-worth, and become successful contributing members of
society—which is every parent’s dream for their kids.
{
“I hope my children will carry on this tradition
of giving when I’m gone.”
{
Louise Borosak
Philanthropic Advisor
Beth Lye
Philanthropic Advisor
Adrienne Walsh
Philanthropic Advisor
Phillip Zielinski
Director of Philanthropy
Mercy Home’s Philanthropy
team can help you to change a
child’s life while continuing to
care for the needs of yourself
and your family. Their areas of
expertise include:
• Working with families to
identify and achieve financial
and giving goals.
• Taking a personal and holistic
approach, understanding
that your plan is uniquely
yours.
• Reducing your tax burden
through charitable giving.
• Maximizing your impact on
the people and charities
closest to your heart.
While we are commonly known
as Mercy Home for Boys & Girls,
our legal name is Mission of
Our Lady of Mercy, Inc. and our
Tax ID Number is 36-2171726.
Do not hesitate to contact us at 1-800-378-8266
or plannedgift@mercyhome.org with specific
questions, or simply to start a conversation.
For more information visit us at
MercyHome.org/PlannedGiving
1140 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
1.800.378.8266
This publication is prepared exclusively for the information of our
friends and donors. Its purpose is to point out current tax
developments which may be helpful in your tax and financial
planning. This material is based on recent court decisions and
current laws and regulations. You should, of course, consult your
own legal, tax or financial planner as to the applicability of any
item to your own situation.
“So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to
all… ” – Galatians 6:10
I have always loved this Bible passage—and not just because it offers a beautiful
and simple instruction for living a good life. What appeals to me most about this
message is its reframing of what it means to take care of one another. Of course, it
is our Christian duty to lend a hand to those in need, but as this passage reminds us,
it is also a gift—an opportunity—to be able to open our hearts to others.
How fortunate we are to be here on God’s good Earth with one another. How very lucky we are to have
the chance to “do good to all,” whether that means sharing a meal or a smile, or remembering someone
in prayer.
And it’s in this spirit that I am delighted to introduce our latest edition of The Herald. In this issue, our
Philanthropy team launches the Legacy Challenge, a remarkable opportunity for you to help the
children of Mercy Home living in our care today—and the generations that will come tomorrow. By
joining the Legacy Challenge, you can build a brighter future for our children today, and for those who
will turn to Mercy Home in the future—all without spending a dollar in your lifetime.
Turn to page 3 and you’ll see living proof of the miracles your generosity makes possible. There, you’ll read
about an incredible young woman who found hope, healing, and a promise-filled future thanks to good
people like you. Lastly, I’m pleased to highlight a good friend to Mercy Home—an open-hearted supporter
who followed in her mother’s footsteps and made the extraordinary decision to leave a lasting legacy for
our children.
As I reflect on these stories, I find myself saying a prayer of thanks. Your friendship and commitment
to our kids make all things possible here at Mercy Home. So thank you, dear friends, not only for your
support and prayers—but for the opportunity to live out this biblical message and do good to all in need.
Blessings,
Fr. Scott Donahue
Join the 2022 Legacy Challenge! ........................................2
“Your Love Changed My Life”.............................................3
Archangel Corner..................................................................4
WINTER 2022

2
3
Join the 2022 Legacy Challenge!
THE DIFFERENCE YOU COULD MAKE:
Name Mercy Home in your estate plans,
and unlock matching funds for kids in
need today—all without spending a dollar
in your lifetime!
We’re excited to help you build a lasting legacy through your
support of the young people at Mercy Home—all without
spending a dollar in your lifetime. To join the 2022 Legacy
Challenge or to learn more, please don’t hesitate to give us
a call at 1-800-378-8266. Thank you for keeping our kids in
your heart, and Mercy Home in your will!
Make a Greater Impact for Children in Need—Today
and Tomorrow!
Since 1887, Mercy Home has served as a guiding light for
young people in need, creating a brighter future for every
child who has walked through our doors. As we enter our
135th year as a solution for kids in crisis, we’re inviting you
to deepen your commitment to our future by including the
children of Mercy Home in your final plans.
Your Legacy Gift Commitment
to Mercy Home
A bequest of $10,000 in
your will
10% of the residual assets
in your trust
(current value = $100,000)
100% of the assets in your IRA
(current value = $350,000)
Cost
to You
Nothing in
your lifetime
Nothing in
your lifetime
Nothing in
your lifetime
Changed
“YOUR LOVE
My Life”
Benefit to Children Living
at Mercy Home Today
{
Benefit to Children Living
at Mercy Home in the Future
$1,000 $10,000
$10,000 $100,000
$10,000 $350,000
To hear Kristina’s story in
her own words, please visit
www.mercyhome.org/plannedgiving
HERE’S HOW THE LEGACY CHALLENGE WORKS:
There’s a special group of people in the Mercy Home
family known as the Archangel Society. These are
devoted friends who believe so strongly in the mission
that they have remembered the children of Mercy
Home in their final estate plans.
A small group of these Archangel Society members are so
convinced of the value of these Legacy Gifts that they are
encouraging other supporters to join them. These generous
donors have pooled their resources to help us launch Mercy
Home’s 2022 Legacy Challenge—and we’re inviting you to
be a part of it.
Making a legacy gift will cost you nothing today but can be
transformational for future generations of children at Mercy
Home. And if you notify us of your commitment in 2022,
10% of your gift’s current value will be “unlocked” and
matched for the immediate benefit of our children today.
1) Make a legacy gift.
Name Mercy Home as a beneficiary in your will or
trust, or on a financial account (such as a checking,
savings, retirement, or brokerage account).
2) Tell us about your commitment.
Email plannedgift@mercyhome.org or call
1-800-378-8266 to let us know you’d like to
join the Legacy Challenge.
3) Unlock matching funds.
When you confirm your legacy gift, 10% of the
current value of your gift intention (up to $10,000)
will be made available to help kids in need today.
4) Choose your program.
You can designate these matched funds to the
program area of your choice: Boys Home, Girls
Home, Community Care Programs, or wherever
it’s needed most.
“Without Mercy Home, I don’t know where I’d be,”
says former resident Kristina, reflecting on her time in our
residential care. Years after living at Mercy Home, this
remarkable woman is now an officer of the U.S. Army
National Guard—and a true testament to the miracles
your support makes possible for our young people.
At just 14 years old, Kristina arrived in the United States
on her own, shipped off from Lithuania by her mother to
pursue the great American Dream
in her father’s care. Only, when
she stepped off the plane, Kristina
found her father stumbling
drunkenly through the airport—
offering a first look at the
alcoholism and abuse she’d have
to endure in his home.
Kristina celebrating
Christmas with
Fr. Scott while living
at Mercy Home.
Kristina’s memories of life with her
father and stepmother are enough
to shake anyone to their core.
Heartbroken and fearful, she
poured her soul onto the page in
a high school journaling
assignment, and it was then, that her teacher finally took
notice of her pain, and told her about Mercy Home.
Soon after, we welcomed Kristina into our residential
care. She was full of anger and self-pity, but still, our
Mercy Home family could see the spark within her.
“Kristina’s intellectual curiosity, energy, enthusiasm, and
the way she took care of her peers… that has never left
me,” Father Scott says, remembering the teenager he
welcomed into our Home all those years ago.
Thanks to the dedication of wonderful friends like you,
Kristina found shelter, safety, and the therapeutic
resources she needed to heal from her traumatic past—
all while building toward a more fulfilling future. Since
leaving our residential program, Kristina has graduated
from Elmhurst College, taken up a life of service as a
captain in the National Guard, gotten married, and
returned to school and earned her master’s degree in
Homeland Security.
Of her incredible journey, Kristina can only say this:
“I’m extremely grateful to Mercy Home. All I
can do in return is pay it forward… And I have
every intention of coming back to Mercy Home
as a donor!”