Glenn and Marjorie Weavers’ commitment to Sun Health Foundation remains strong after two decades of giving back
Volunteering at the local hospital wasn’t exactly Glenn Weavers vision of retirement. But his plan was no match for what his wife, Marjorie, had in mind.
“I said, ‘Oh no. I’m not going to do that,’” Glenn recalls with a laugh today. “She said, ‘What are you going to do?’ and I said, “I’m going to play golf!’”
After some gentle prodding, Glenn relented and the couple launched what has become an awe-inspiring commitment to volunteering for Sun Health Foundation over the course of two decades. In that time, Glenn has logged more than 9,500 volunteer hours; Marjorie is nearing 2,000.
“One of the reasons we moved to Arizona was for the healthy lifestyle,” Marjorie says. “Sun Health Foundation helps make this happen in our community in so many ways. We wanted to be part of that, and our talents seemed to match the community’s needs.”
For the Sun City West couple, their volunteer work has become an important, if unpredicted, chapter in their rich life together. High school sweethearts, they both graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1953 and married that same year.
Marjorie worked in the speech and hearing field while Glenn served in the Korean War, worked in the dairy and food industry and later started a successful business in the oil industry. The couple raised a daughter who continues the family tradition of dedicated volunteering. After moving around the country for Glenn’s work, the couple settled in Sun City West in 1994.
Raised by Depression-era parents, both Glenn and Marjorie learned the importance of working hard and helping others. And that’s exactly what they have done for Sun Health Foundation.
Virtually no part of Sun Health’s operations-past and present-have been untouched by them. They serve throughout the Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center, from working the information desk to giving Saturday “Pickles and Ice Cream” tours for expectant parents. Marjorie also was active with the hospital’s former auxiliary board.
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lenn combined his love of golf with chairing Sun Health golf tournaments, helping raise money and awareness about the Foundation. Glenn has also served as president of the auxiliary volunteer board, now known as Volunteers in Philanthropy or VIPs, and as a member of the annual-giving donor relations committee.
Beyond official roles, Glenn and Marjorie frequently stepped up for less-glamorous tasks like setting up tables, serving refreshments and making phone calls for the Foundation. They have hit the highs of volunteering, representing Sun Health during a visit by President George W. Bush (see photo on page 6) to the Valley to tout Medicare reform. And the lows, like parking cars “in the desert with rattlesnakes all around” during a Foundation event.
Over the years, the couple has also supported Sun Health Foundation by attending fundraising events and including the Foundation in their estate planning.
“Glenn and Marjorie have had a tremendous impact on the health of the community,” says Pamela Gralton Kohnen, Sun Health Foundation senior development director. “They are shining examples of what it truly means to give of your time, talent and treasure.”
At 84 years young, they are still lending a hand whenever needed.
“Our community is only as good as we make it,” Glenn says. “It is our responsibility to make it a place we all want to live.”
For more information about Sun Health Foundation, visit sunhealthfoundation.org or call 623-832-5330.
