Charles and Marie Hoffman create an enduring legacy of ending cycles and stigma associated with behavioral health

Charles and Marie Hoffman have been married for 56 years and live in Burien, Wash., a city that they have called home for decades.

They first began supporting charitable organizations as a young couple when Charles was in the United States Air Force and they were stationed in Southeast Turkey.

"It was a wakeup call," Marie says. "We never thought about having privilege until we arrived in Adana, Turkey, where a good portion of the population lived in unsanitary conditions and poor housing."

When they returned home, they vowed to recognize their good fortune by giving to others. Over the years, they developed a charitable giving plan that addressed issues such as hunger, housing, nature and the environment, as well as physical and behavioral health care.

Charles' introduction to the behavioral health field was as a hospital administrator in 1973. He was astonished at the way people suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse were treated.

"I saw very poor care and very antiquated thinking about people with behavioral health illnesses; it was very disturbing," Charles says.

Marie's introduction occurred decades earlier as a child.

"I understand the negativity of living with a parent with untreated mental issues," Marie says. "Back in the '50s and '60s, there wasn't much worthwhile treatment; it was ugly back then. People don't realize how a mental health illness in the family affects everyone."

Navos, now part of the MultiCare Behavioral Health Network, has become significant recipients of the Hoffmans' generosity. The Hoffmans' donations, as well as food contributions, have been primarily in support of the Expanding Community Services (ECS) program for adults who are transitioning from long-term institutional care to living with help in the community. Charles has also donated his time as a Navos board member for 20 years.

"Over the years, we've had the opportunity to interact with staff and patients and see how Navos programs have really helped people," Marie says. "That has been exceedingly rewarding."

This is why Charles and Marie decided to include MultiCare Behavioral Health Foundation in their estate plans so that these programs would continue to grow and thrive long after they are gone. "We think one of the positives for us over the years is to support programs that make the lives of these folks as independent and as safe as possible. The opportunity to see this in person and see these programs expand over the years has been incredible."

Want to learn how you can support better care in your community through your will, trust, retirement plan or other legacy gift? Contact our gift planning team at 253-403-1264 or plannedgiving@multicare.org.