Easterseals Rehabilitation Center was one of 35 charitable organizations — 28 of them local — to receive a grant from the Ann Sonneborn Charitable Foundation on Wednesday, Sept. 24, during a luncheon at Oglebay Resort.
The foundation is administered by WesBanco Trust and Investment Services. Ms. Sonneborn is a third generation philanthropist, explained co-trustee Jim Gardill. He said Ms. Sonneborn created a trust at WesBanco in the 1970s before moving to Miami, Florida. Although she lived the remainder of her life in Florida, her family's legacy of giving to the Wheeling area made it a natural fit for her assets to be distributed in perpetuity to benefit the local area, specifically programs that serve women and children.
Easterseals President and CEO Eric Filberto, Chief Financial Officer Vada Kelly and Marketing Director Betsy Bethel-McFarland attended the luncheon to receive the check. Each grantee was asked to say a few words about the grant award's purpose. Mr. Filberto said the money will be used to provide integrated medical information services at the center for better patient communication and support, as well as to help provide medical services to children with ADHD and autism among other behavioral diagnoses.
Other grant recipients included the Wheeling YMCA and YWCA, Orchard Park Hospital, Crittenton Services, YoungLives, Youth Services System and many more.
Easterseals is grateful to foundation administrator Amber Baumberger, Mr. Gardill, WesBanco, and the Ann Sonneborn Charitable Foundation for supporting children with developmental delays and disabilities in the Ohio Valley!
