After two of the largest shopping days of the year—Black Friday and Cyber Monday—today provides an opportunity to do some giving. The first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, known as Giving Tuesday, encourages individuals, organizations and families to give back to their communities.
Giving can be as simple as volunteering for a charity, lending a hand to a neighbor in need or making a donation to a community organization. One family that embraces this spirit of giving year-round is the Sheehan Family.
Tom Sheehan, a Noblesville resident and founder of Carmel Financial Corporation, knows all too well the value of hard work and—most importantly—giving back.
In 1999, Tom was approached by Riverview Health Foundation executive director, Trish Oman, and encouraged to become involved with the Foundation. After hearing the mission of Riverview Health Foundation and learning about the many ways it works to improve the health of the community, Tom and his wife, Soni, were on board.
The Sheehan family began making annual donations and frequently contributed to many Riverview Health Foundation fundraising campaigns. Trish asked Tom to join the Riverview Health Foundation Board of Directors.
“I wanted to offer my business experience to an organization that shared my values,” said Tom. “Riverview Health Foundation was the perfect organization.”
Tom was a member of the Foundation Board of Directors for six years, serving as Board president for three of those years. During that time, Tom
continuously searched for creative ways to assist Riverview Health Foundation with fundraising, such as donating his Jaguar vehicle as a raffle prize—an effort that raised more than $25,000. Tom was also instrumental in the creation of Riverview Health Foundation Philanthropy Council, a volunteer network of community and business leaders working to promote involvement, education and philanthropic support for Riverview Health.
During his time on the Board, Tom and Soni generously opened their home to host fundraising events. The Sheehan family continued to contribute to Riverview Health through donations to Riverview Health Heart & Vascular Center and the and creation of the Dad’s Retreat in the Women’s Pavilion, a comforting place for expectant fathers to visit, and the.
The Sheehan family made another significant contribution by funding the Riverview Health chapel and accompanying memorial garden in memory of their son, Timothy J. Sheehan, who passed away in 1973. The Sheehan Chapel
and Garden is a beautiful, peaceful space that provides comfort and solace for patients, visitors and employees.
Tom and Soni’s philanthropic spirit resonated throughout the entire Sheehan family. In support of continued generational leadership, Tom’s daughter, Tracey, took his place on the Riverview Health Foundation Board of Directors
for six years.
“We’re so grateful for the Sheehan’s leadership and guidance in philanthropy,” said Trish. “Their generous contributions and volunteerism over the years have made a tremendous difference at Riverview Health and in our community.”
Learn more about giving to Riverview Health Foundation by visiting our donations page or donate now.