Retired Tacoma teacher channels passion for children’s education into giving

From the moment you meet Lin Riggio, you can see her passion for supporting kids. For nearly 50 years, she taught kindergarten in the Tacoma Public School District — a dream she’s had since she was in kindergarten herself.

Now, Lin is taking her spirit of generosity one step further, giving back to the local children’s hospital that’s cared for her, her family and her students.

A hospital stay inspires generosity

At 10 years old, Lin spent several weeks at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. There, doctors diagnosed her with osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone that causes swelling and pain, and helped her heal.

That visit resonated with Lin, inspiring her to volunteer at Mary Bridge Children’s delivering flowers and books to the main campus building before starting her career as an educator in 1971.

While working at a Tacoma elementary school, one of Lin’s students inspired an idea.

“At one point, we had a child who was at Mary Bridge Children’s, and the kids were very concerned,” Lin remembers. “We ended up taking a field trip there.”

For the next 10 years, Lin used those tours as an opportunity to show children and their families how the hospital can be a place of hope and healing.

“I loved going around and showing groups the hospital, why it’s not a frightening place and how they help people,” Lin explains.

Supporting the next generation of children

In 2019, Lin retired from teaching after 49 years. But her heart for children remains. She recently made a legacy gift, including Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation in her will and designated her gift to Child Life Services. Thanks to donors like Lin, the program minimizes the stress and anxiety of children and families receiving medical care.

“I was so happy to find I could request what my donations would be used for,” Lin shares. “The children are the future of Tacoma. You have to have strong children, and hopefully the world is going to change for something better.”

To those considering leaving a legacy, Lin has this advice:

“Find out what your passions are. I’ve been so fortunate to always live my life with children. And if you’re lucky enough to have something like that, you should do something to expand on it and support your passion into the future.”

Contact our gift planning team at 253-403-1264 or plannedgiving@multicare.org to discuss making a gift in your will, trust or other legacy gift to support the a MultiCare program or foundation programs and causes you care about for years to come.