Planned Giving

Meet Our Donors

We thank all our planned-gift donors for their generous support. Here are some of their stories.

Dominick Colelli

Double Annual Fund Gift Through Colelli's Challenge

Dominick Colelli's heroic actions on the battlefield earned him five bronze stars during World War II. Now, the generosity of this humble, unassuming barber shop owner has again made him a hero to hundreds of children and adults with disabilities and their families.

In his estate, Mr. Colelli left a significant gift to the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation exceeding $800,000. In keeping with his wishes, a portion of the estate will be used to inspire other donors through an effort called Colelli's Challenge.

An Erie native, Mr. Colelli died at the age of 95 on January 6, 2009. He owned and operated his own barber shop for 37 years before retiring in 1977. Throughout his life, Mr. Colelli attended community events at the Barber Institute each year, and became a devoted supporter of the work of Dr. Gertrude Barber on behalf of children and adults with disabilities. An avid golfer and bowler, Mr. Colelli organized several bowling fundraisers to benefit the Barber Center in its early years.

During World War II, Colelli sustained a serious injury that left him with a severe hearing loss. “I think that because of this disability, Dom developed a greater appreciation for the challenges that our children and adults face and he became determined to support them in their aspirations for a better life,” explained John Barber, president and chief executive officer of the Barber National Institute. “Shortly before his passing, Dom said that it was his dream to leave a million dollars to the Barber Institute. By living a modest life and investing wisely, he was able to come very close to this goal. We want to now try to ensure that we can fulfill that dream.”

Through Colelli's Challenge, all gifts made to the Barber Foundation annual fund through June 30, 2010 will be matched by the Colelli Challenge Fund up to a total of $100,000. In addition, the fund will match new documented bequests and other deferred gift commitments dollar for dollar up to and including the balance of the fund.

Colelli's Challenge enables all supporters to this year's Annual Fund campaign to literally double the size and impact of their gift in support of the Barber Institute mission.

For more information about Colelli's Challenge, contact Gary Bukowski, vice president for Advancement at the Barber National Institute, 814-878-4033, or at GaryBukowski@BarberInstitute.org. Or, donate now online.

Conrad G. Woelky

Foresight and planning by a generous businessman resulted in a major gift to the Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation in 2008. This donation will help ensure that the mission of providing hope and opportunity to children and adults with disabilities continues to flourish well into the 21st century.

A donation of more than $1 million was received in November 2008 from the estate of Conrad G. Woelky. The gift is the largest donation that the Barber National Institute has received to date.

Mr. Woelky was the owner of the B.D. Company, a business that produced photographic background paper for industries and retail stores. It is believed that he was also a friend and supporter of the Institute's founder, Dr. Gertrude A. Barber.

The donor designated the gift to be placed in the Foundation's permanent endowment, from which the proceeds will support programs and services well into the future.

“This generous and forward thinking donor some time ago planted the seed for a gift that will benefit generations to come,” said John J. Barber, president and chief executive officer of the Barber National Institute. “A healthy endowment is essential to helping us meet needs and respond to opportunities by providing the most innovative services and attracting the most expert staff.”

Proceeds generated from the endowment are enabling the Barber National Institute to do many important things, including providing new and innovative services that cannot be funded in any other way. Services have included the Adult Autism Connection, which began in Summer 2008 to provide needed neuropsychiatric services to adults with autism. Proceeds from the endowment have also funded projects at the Barber National Institute such as the acquisition of new group home residences, capital equipment and major renovations to facilities.

“These examples demonstrate how important an endowment becomes in enabling our organization to provide the best to the children and adults we serve,” said Barber. “Simply put, we could not do these things any other way. As economic times become more difficult, having these gifts made through The Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Legacy Society becomes even more crucial,” said Barber. Everyone can help make dreams come true for a child or adult with a disability. Learn now how you can make a bequest to the Barber Foundation and make a difference.

Bill & Lucille Wittmann

Lucille and Bill Wittmann were caring parents and active members of their church and community. When they passed away, their family chose to honor and cherish their memory with a gift to the Barber Foundation.

Lou and Bill's son, Dr. Thomas Wittman, and his wife, Annette, believed that their gift would help the Barber National Institute continue its mission of service to children and adults with disabilities. Many other gifts to the Barber National Institute were also received from the friends and family of Lou and Bill, all of whom recognized the importance of the Barber National Institute in our community.

The Wittmanns came to know and understand this mission when their oldest son, William Peter, came to live in a Barber National Institute residential group home at the age of 52. Peter was born prematurely in 1947, and would have likely died at birth were he not treated with the neonatal incubator, the latest technological advancement at the time. But, as a result of the high oxygen concentrations given to save his young life, Peter lost all vision by age three. He would also experience several cerebral hemorrhages that resulted in profound physical and cognitive impairment.

After spending several years at an exclusive school for the blind in Philadelphia, Peter resided at Polk Center. His move back to Erie was welcomed by his aging parents, who were then better able to spend time with their son closer to home.

“My mother was a great admirer of Dr. Barber, who always expressed her concern for Pete,” said Dr. Wittmann. “My parents were very loving, dedicated parents who only wanted the best for their son. They appreciated the peace of mind knowing that Pete is well cared for, and, as a family, we wanted to express our appreciation to all of the Barber Center staff for all that they do.”

The gift from the Wittmann family honors the legacy of two extraordinary people, and helps ensure continued hope and opportunity for children and adults with disabilities and their families. Consider how you can honor the memory of someone special and make a memorial gift to the Barber Foundation.

The Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation adheres to the guidelines established within the Donor Bill of Rights.

Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundation
100 Barber Place
Erie, PA 16507
Phone: 814-878-4033 or 814-874-5640
Fax: 814-455-1132

©2007 - 2010 Dr. Gertrude A. Barber National Institute. All rights reserved worldwide.