Igniting a passion for community health care

Growing up in a family with a legacy of Lutheran pastors, Jon Edmonds learned a lot about the importance of community.

"We were taught at a very young age to give back to the church and to the community," Jon says. "My father instilled in me that jobs were not occupations but vocations, another way for us to use our passions and skills to help others."

Jon discovered his vocation while attending Pacific Lutheran University. He fell in love with numbers and discovered a joy for finance, which led him to his career as a financial consultant for Thrivent Financial.

Jon and his wife, Nancy, made Puyallup their home in 2001. Two family health emergencies inspired Jon to get involved in supporting local health care. The first was when their 1-year-old daughter received emergency care at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital. The second was when Nancy was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Based on his family's experiences, Jon decided to join the Good Samaritan Foundation Board of Directors to help influence and shape health care in his community.

"Having quality health care in your backyard is meaningful. These organizations have heart," Jon explains.

He experiences this sense of heart firsthand when he meets with donors to seek support for Good Samaritan programs and expansions.

"I am so proud when I meet with donors and I see the joy in their eyes; it's contagious. You get to see what fuels people's passions. Joining this board has ignited a passion in myself," Jon says.

Jon fondly remembers the first fundraising event for Good Samaritan Hospital that he and Nancy attended while she was finishing chemotherapy. Together, they funded a chair for chemotherapy patients.

"To know that we weren't just giving money, we were providing a more comfortable place for a husband and wife or mother and child to spend time with one another, was a great feeling," Jon says.

Jon is proud to see how far local health care has advanced over the years with investments from MultiCare and the community, which is why he and Nancy have made a legacy gift, including Good Samaritan Hospital and Mary Bridge Good Samaritan Children's Therapy Unit as beneficiaries of Jon's retirement account.

"What's nice about legacy giving is that I can give back now. I can make a commitment now that will help future generations," Jon explains. "It's a teaching moment for my family. My kids know that when we pass, our legacy will live on and we will still be making a difference."

As for now, Jon is excited to be part of the growth happening at the hospital.

"I am excited to be involved in and support Good, Great, Growing: The Good Samaritan Hospital Expansion Campaign. It is a pleasure to see the vision of Good Samaritan Hospital unfold, to see how more patient beds and new programs will benefit people and providers in this community."

More about Legacy Giving

Making a legacy gift is an affordable way to provide meaningful support to a cause that ignites your passion.

Regardless of your income or estate size, you can make a significant investment in healing and a healthy future for your community. There may also be tax benefits.

Contact our gift planning team at 253-403-1264 or plannedgiving@multicare.org to discuss making a charitable gift that best meets your family's needs.