Annual Report

Christmas On Dec. 17, 2019, sisters and staff gathered in the Motherhouse foyer for the
annual blessing and lighting of the Christmas Tribute Tree. We celebrated and
prayerfully remembered the many tributes that were sent in from our friends
and benefactors.

Your generous support helped us raise
$17,995 to purchase new recliners, lift
chairs and mattresses. While we have
purchased and received a number of
these items, others are on back-order.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic
has slowed production and delivery time.
Our sisters anxiously await the delivery
of their new mattresses and furniture.

Sisters Pat Dearbaugh (top left), Celeste Schoppy (bottom left) and Margaret (Peggy) Schmidt (bottom right) enjoy their new matresses and recliners;
Christmas Tribute Tree

Prayer for the blessing and lighting of the tree

O God, let your blessings come upon us as we light the Christmas Tribute Tree. 2019 blessing and lighting ceremony in the Motherhouse Foyer
May the light and cheer it gives be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.

As these lights, poinsettias and angels give beauty to our Motherhouse foyer,
may we shine brightly as we prepare to welcome Jesus, the Light of the World,
into our hearts.

Bless our families, friends and co-workers as we celebrate this joyous season
and may our Christmas celebration be a time of peace, joy and love.

Keep us safe in our travels; kind in our conversations; and gracious in our
giving and receiving.

We ask this in Your name. Amen

Annual Report, 2019 – 2020 49

Special Events

On Oct. 10, 2019, friends gathered at the Detroit Athletic Club for the fifth annual Theresa Maxis Award to honor and
celebrate Kurt and Renee Darrow. Together we raised $113,356 to benefit IHM ministries as well as the retirement needs
of the congregation.

Kurt and Renee Darrow Renee and Kurt Darrow

Catholic education is a passion shared by Renee and Kurt. In 1845, Sister Theresa Maxis
Renee’s parents’ devotion to their Catholic faith placed agreed to help Rev. Louis Gillet found
a strong value upon Catholic education. They made a new congregation of educators in
the sacrifices necessary to be sure all five of their children Monroe: the Sisters, Servants of the
attended Catholic schools from first through 12th grades. Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her deep
Renee and her siblings were the fourth generation on faith, courageous spirit and action for
her mother’s side to be educated by the IHMs. The family justice are recognized and celebrated
is very proud to have several of the next generation who
hold the torch as the fifth generation being blessed by in those selected for the award
the rich tradition and academic excellence as students that bears her name.
of St. Mary Catholic Central High School, Monroe, Mich.

Kurt is Chairman, President and CEO of La-Z-Boy
Incorporated. When the 92-year-old Monroe-based
company decided to build a new world headquarters,
the search ended when they learned of the IHM Sisters’
desire to sell some of their land. As Renee exclaimed to
Kurt when he shared this discovery, “That is it! You will
be on sacred land!” During the early 1900s, the property
blessed the sisters with farms that provided them economic
stability and sustainability. This property remains part
of that rich tradition today as La-Z-Boy honors the
land with its state-of-the-art, LEED-Certified World
Headquarters nestled around the protected oak savanna
forests and walking trails, all while employing 550 people
in Monroe and 10,000 employees world-wide.

Dinner guests raise a glass in honor of Kurt and Renee; friends gather for cocktail reception
50 Annual Report, 2019 – 2020

Kurt and Renee laugh at a speaker’s comments; Sister Mary Jane Herb presents the award to Kurt and Renee; Sister Mary Jane Herb, Kurt Darrow, Sister Margaret Chapman

Renee is a Registered Nurse who spent Mary for honoring them with the HONORARY COMMITTEE
the early part of her nursing career at Theresa Maxis Award, as well as
University of Michigan Hospital. She everyone who participated in making Daniel and Karen Vuich Bellino
most recently has been involved with the event a grand success! “For nearly Joseph and Peggy Bellino
projects that support education and 175 years, the IHM Sisters have selflessly Kenyon and Karen Calender
health programs for children, adults spread the Gospel by shaping the Joseph and Maria Daly
and families in our community. minds and souls of young people Cathy Dobberstein
Renee and Kurt have served on many through their gifts and talents as Craig and Amy Findley
volunteer boards and committees, educators. The courageous endeavor Eleanore and Dick Gabrys
including St. Mary Catholic Central to create a new religious community Doug and Mary Kapnick
High School, St. John the Baptist dedicated to education began in Michigan Ed and Beth Lambrix
Catholic Church, Gabby’s Grief on Nov. 10, 1845, by their co-founders, Michael and Carla Miller
Center, ProMedica Health System, Sister Theresa Maxis Duchemin and Randy and Barb Oostra
Adrian College, University of Rev. Louis Florent Gillet. Within two Eric and Patti Poppe
Michigan Transplant Center, City short months, the new community Michael and Molly Roehrig
of Hope Medical Center, Monroe of sisters established its first school
County Community College with 40 students in Monroe, Mich. Gary and Janet Van Elslander
Foundation, Habitat for Humanity The congregation’s history is humble, Rick and Susan Vanisacker
of Monroe County and Mrs. Claus tenacious and valorous as these
Club. Kurt and Renee’s philanthropic brilliant women spanned the globe their rich history and awe-inspiring
hearts have blessed numerous with the commitment of the liberating accomplishments, we celebrate the
individuals and organizations. the mission of Jesus Christ ‘to act justly, IHM Sisters and their heritage and
love tenderly and walk humbly with honor their altruistic spirits.”
Renee and Kurt thanked the Sisters, our God,’ (Micah 6:8) just as they
Servants of the Immaculate Heart of continue to do today. In awe of

Thank you to our generous sponsors

THERESA MAXIS SPONSOR SILVER SPONSORS The Christman Company Michael and Molly Roehrig
Kurt and Renee Darrow Consumers Energy Continental St. Mary Catholic Central High School
La-Z-Boy Foundation Darrell and Anita Edwards DTE Energy Gary and Janet Van Elslander
Glenda D. Price, PhD FOR Investment Partners
GOLD SPONSORS John and Janis Foss
Tom and Carol Cracchiolo BRONZE SPONSORS Gabelli Funds
Henry Duggan Anonymous Eleanore and Dick Gabrys
Craig and Amy Findley Mareda-Toni Babcock Monroe Bank & Trust,
Kapnick Insurance Group Daniel and Karen Bellino
ProMedica Elizabeth A. Burns, MD, MA A Division of First Merchants Bank
Trinity Health Senior Communities Kenyon and Karen Calender John and Debra Pearson

Annual Report, 2019 – 2020 51

Ways to Give

As a 501(c)(3) organization, our legal name is Sisters, Servants of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, Michigan. Our tax identification number is 38-1359581.
A staff member from the Development Office would be happy to discuss ways you can make a

gift to the congregation. Please call 734-240-9860 or email [email protected].

Gifts can take Considering an IRA Charitable Distribution?
many forms: Here’s what you’ll need to know.

GIFTS OF CASH If you are 70½ or older and have a traditional AN IRA CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION GIFT
Individual Retirement Account (IRA), you can MAY BENEFIT YOU
GIFTS OF REAL ESTATE make an immediate impact to the congregation • As an easy and convenient way to make a
through an IRA Charitable Distribution. An IRA
GIFTS OF APPRECIATED SECURITIES Charitable Distribution allows you to make a gift tax-free gift from one of your major financial
(stocks, bonds or mutual funds) to the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart assets. You may also consider renewing or
of Mary, satisfy part or all of your annual required increasing your annual gift with your IRA
ESTATE GIFTS AND BEQUESTS minimum distribution from your IRA and exclude Charitable Distribution;
(include the IHM Sisters in part or all of that distribution from your taxable
your estate plans, will or by gross income, thereby reducing your tax liability. • As an exclusion from your gross income; and
adding a codicil later)
FOR YOUR GIFT TO QUALIFY • By counting toward your required
CHARITABLE LEAD TRUSTS minimum distribution.
(funds that provide the • Y ou must be 70½ years of age or older
IHM Sisters with income at the time of your distribution. MAKING YOUR GIFT IS EASY
today and assets for your • Before Dec. 31 of this year, contact
heirs in the future) • T he transfer must be made from your
IRA directly to the Sisters, Servants of your IRA custodian.
LIFE INSURANCE the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
(name or purchase a policy • Ask that your charitable distribution
on behalf of the IHM Sisters) • Y our total annual IRA Charitable Distribution be made payable to Sisters, Servants
gift(s) cannot exceed $100,000 in the of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
IRA CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION calendar year of the gift.
(donors 70½ or older are • T ransfers from your financial institution
eligible to move up to $100,000 • Your gift must be made to the Sisters, need to include your name and address.
from their IRAs to the IHM Sisters) Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
by Dec. 31 in the year you decide to make THE SECURE ACT
the gift. Please note the Setting Every Community Up for
Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, enacted
• Y our gift must be outright. Gifts from your Jan. 1, 2020, raises the Required Minimum
IRA to donor-advised funds or life-income Distribution (RMD) age threshold to 72. Taxpayers
vehicles such as charitable gift annuities or who turned 70.5 in 2019 will be subject to RMDs,
charitable remainder trusts do not qualify but donors who turn 70.5 after Jan. 1, 2020,
as IRA Charitable Distribution gifts. won’t be subject to RMDs until they turn 72,
so 2021 at the earliest.

As always, we encourage you to consult with your financial advisor when making a charitable gift.

52 Annual Report, 2019 – 2020

IHM LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Save the Dates
Mary Jane Herb, IHM 2021 SPECIAL EVENTS
President
Marianne Gaynor, IHM MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2021
Mission Councilor/Vice President FOX HILLS GOLF AND BANQUET CENTER
Margaret Chapman, IHM
Mission Councilor/Treasurer THURSDAY, OCT. 14, 2021
Patricia McCluskey, IHM DETROIT ATHLETIC CLUB
Mission Councilor
Ellen Rinke, IHM
Mission Councilor

DEVELOPMENT OFFICE STAFF
Richard J. DeLoof
Director of Development
Marilyn S. Meadows
Assistant Director of Development
Hilda Jarvis
Database Manager
Kristen Davis
Administrative Assistant

IHM-SPONSORED INSTITUTIONS

Detroit Cristo Rey High School
5679 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209
313-843-2747 • detroitcristorey.org

Marian High School
7225 Lahser Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
248-644-1750 • marian-hs.org

IHM Senior Living Community
610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162
734-241-3660 • ihmslc.org

Annual Report, 2019 – 2020 | Graphic Designer: Kate Scheible; Printer: Allied Printing
We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this publication. To report a change or correction, please contact the
Development Office at 734-240-9860.

610 West Elm Avenue
Monroe, MI 48162-7909
ihmsisters.org

IHM Sisters @ihmsisters @ihmsisters