Page 22 - Our Hands FALL 2019

HERITAGE SOCIETY

Samaritas is my third child

Heritage Society Profile - Pat Thomas

In our 85th Anniversary year, Samaritas is honored to Through the years, more than 1,500 individual gifts
recognize the dedicated donors who partner with us to to the Foundation or Endowment have totaled over
help meet current needs, and to those who ensure the $11 million. The largest Endowment Fund within the
FUTURE support and service needs for individuals in Foundation also bears Pastor Thomas’ name, The Carl
our care through their gifts to the Samaritas Foundation E. Thomas Endowment. These endowment funds help
and Endowment. to ensure a safety net and an opportunity to provide seed
funding for programs and service that expand or enhance
The generous individuals who make these kinds of the help and hope we can provide for those we serve.
current and/or planned gifts to the Samaritas
Foundation are members of the Samaritas Pat continues to be active with the Foundation,
Heritage Society. We are honored to now as a Trustee - Emeritus, and her
share a story about Mrs. Pat Thomas, unwavering support of Samaritas is a
a person who exemplifies what the valuable gift. She also understands the
Heritage Society is about. rigors of the role of the Samaritas CEO,
and has been a generous supporter
For those who may not know, Pat’s and advocate for each person who has
husband, Pastor Carl Thomas, subsequently served in that role following
accepted the call in 1973 to serve her husband.
as the President of what was then
known as Lutheran Social Services Samaritas extends its deep appreciation to
of Michigan. Pastor Thomas and Pat Pat Thomas for her unwavering support,
moved from New Jersey with their and the grace with which she continues to
two daughters. Pastor Thomas was support and champion our Mission: Serving
immediately and thoroughly enmeshed people as an expression of the love of Christ.
in the operation of an agency with a
budget of $2 million and scores of formidable For more information about the Samaritas Heritage
challenges brilliantly disguised as opportunities. Pat Society to help those we serve through gifts to the
has an up close and personal history with what is now Samaritas Foundation, please contact DeeDee McVety
Samaritas. She says she eventually began to regard at dmcve@samaritas.org or call (313) 308 - 8861.
the organization as their “third child.” She has fond
memories of travelling the state with Pastor Carl, seeing
the various sites and meeting the teams of staff and
volunteers who brought their best to the ministries and
Mission.”

Pastor Thomas was a strong leader as well as a gifted
fundraiser. He understood the powerful relationship that
donors have on the impact of a non-profit. In 1993, on
the 20th anniversary of his Presidency, the Samaritas
Board established the Samaritas Foundation with a gift
of $7,500. This is the very first donation
to Samaritas given on behalf of the
Carl E. Thomas Endowment Fund

Family is Everything

"MY SON AND I WERE IN A REALLY DIFFICULT SITUATION BEFORE WE CAME
HERE. THE FACT THAT THEY FOCUS ON US AS A FAMILY REALLY MEANS A LOT.
THEY DON'T CARE HOW YOU GOT HERE, THEY GENERALLY CARE AND CHECK
ON YOUR WELL-BEING. I REALLY LOVE THEM ALL FOR EVERYTHING THAT
THEY'VE DONE FOR MY FAMILY." ~ TASARINA, Samaritas Family Center former resident

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