Meet our Donors

Planned Giving Biography Aurelia and Alfreda Pia

Aurelia and Alfreda Pia enjoyed a long life together. Their charitable legacy was purposefully designed to enable others to live long, healthy lives as well.

"Ray" and "Freda", as their friends referred to them, were born to Italian immigrants. The two grew up (and grew gray hairs) as native Californians.

The Pias were married 56 years, and each worked for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company for 30 years. Ray was a World War II veteran and active member of both the Italo American Lodge in Merced and the Merced Elks LodgeBPOE 1240. In fact, he took his service work very literally. Ray served many meals as head cook for a variety of functions at the Italo American Lodge. The Merced Elks once named him "Elk of the Year".

For 38 years Ray and Freda lived and served together in Merced. After retirement and with careful consideration, the couple decided to set up a living trust. Their top directive when discerning how their estate would benefit others beyond their lifetime was that "they wanted to help non-profit hospitals that they thought did a good job providing care to those in need".

Mercy Hospital Foundation of Merced was generously designated by the Pias to benefit from their estate.

When Ray and Freda had both passed away by early 2001, after living well into their 80's, their donation was received for the New Hospital Building Fund at Mercy Medical Center. The 5th Floor Medical Surgical Department bears a dedication to their parents: "In Memory of Victor A. and Josephine Pia and Frank and Louise Picollo".

Ray and Freda created a beautiful tribute to their past generation, and an enduring gift for generations to come.



John Minetti Trust Leaves Gift to Medical Center
Active Merced community advocate, philanthropist, business owner, and Mercy Foundation Board Member John Minetti was 81 years young when he passed away in the fall of 2011.

John was a generous supporter of the Mercy Cancer Center, and his legacy lives on through his planned gift to the Mercy Foundation.

For anyone who is passionate about improving the quality of healthcare available in their community, planned gifts are a beautiful way to make a lasting impact.

To make a bequest is to make a difference; whether it's for a specific dollar amount, one of defined assets like real estate or securities, or for an entire estate. Advisors at the Mercy Foundation are available to you to discuss compassionate ways to grow your own legacy here in Merced.

Bequests to Mercy are not subject to federal estate tax loss, which maximizes the impact of the gift to benefit the greater good in this community.

We are so grateful to the John Minetti Trust -- for continuing to create positive change beyond his lifetime commitment to the community of Merced.



Elmo Giampaoli's Estate Gift Benefits New Medical Center

The Mercy Foundation received a gift in 2003 for $755,000 from the estate of the late Elmo Giampaoli. It was a significant gift that was reflective of Elmo's generosity and it brought the total to nearly a million dollars in support of the Mercy Foundation since 1985.

Mercy is truly blessed to have received Elmo's support and generous gifts over the years. The gift from Elmo's estate was put towards the New Hospital Building fund. With the completion of the new medical center in May of 2010, the people of Merced continue to benefit from the medical advances that have been made possible by this gift. In recognition of Elmo's generosity, the chapel in the new medical center has been named in memory of him. The chapel is an appropriate reflection of the legacy Elmo left to everyone in the county. Elmo was a resident of Le Grand, and a partner in his family farming operations. He was known for his dedication to family and community, and initially became a supporter of Mercy in 1985 when he made a gift to the Foundation in memory of his parents, Marino and Damocle Giampaoli. The Mercy Foundation will forever remember Elmo for his vision and support of health care in our community.