STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Papa John’s Founder, Chairman and CEO John Schnatter and his wife, Annette, presented a $1 million check to the St. Vincent Foundation.
October 23, 2015
John Schnatter, founder, chairman and CEO of Papa John’s International, on behalf of he and his wife, Annette, presented a $1 million check to the St. Vincent Foundation on Oct. 22 in support of a capital campaign for the development and construction of a hospitality house for patient families — the St. Vincent House.
With the Schnatters’ gift, along with million-dollar contributions from Rollie and Cheri Dick, the Tom and Julie Wood Family Foundation, and support from individuals and corporations, the St. Vincent Foundation broke ground on a new hospitality house six months ahead of the anticipated schedule, according to a company press release.
"The Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent holds a very special place in our hearts," said John and Annette Schnatter. "When a family has a serious ill or injured child, the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. So we’re teaming up with our good friend Peyton Manning to help build the St. Vincent House. It is a place where families with a child battling an illness or injury can be together, and can focus on what matters most, the health and recovery of their child."
The St. Vincent House will be built on the campus of St. Vincent Indianapolis and will include private accommodations for up to 20 extended-stay patient families, as well as other amenities such as laundry facilities, kitchens, a playground, chapel and gathering spaces, the release stated. St. Vincent is a member of Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic and not-for-profit hospital system.
"Our donors are making possible a place of caring and support where families can rest and recharge while still remaining close to their hospitalized loved ones," said Sue Anne Gilroy, executive director of the St. Vincent Foundation. "The Schnatters, along with countless others, generous gift enables us to proceed today with a groundbreaking ceremony, and bring this dream one step closer to reality."
Patient families who live more than 25 miles from the hospital and have an infant with an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Vincent Women’s; a child receiving long-term care at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent; or a family member receiving prolonged oncology care or a transplant at St. Vincent Indianapolis — especially those with financial challenges — will benefit from the St. Vincent House, the release stated.
"The spirit of caring at St. Vincent reaches far beyond the city limits of Indianapolis and that is why we are so excited to be breaking ground on the St. Vincent House. Our patients travel from across Indiana, from bordering states and even internationally to receive care by the skilled health professionals at St. Vincent. The St. Vincent House is yet another opportunity to wrap our arms of care and support around these patient families, especially those that are struggling, allowing them to stay close to their hospitalized loved ones," said Jonathan Nalli, CEO of St. Vincent.
Peyton Manning, NFL quarterback and children’s hospital namesake, helped to launch the public St. Vincent House capital campaign on May 8 when he returned to Indianapolis for the eighth annual Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent Celebration of Caring Gala.
In light of John and Annette’s gift in support of the St. Vincent House, Manning said, "Ashley (Manning's wife) and I are extremely grateful to our friends, John and Annette Schnatter, for their willingness to support the St. Vincent House in such a meaningful way. This project is very important to us because we know how much it will help the families of patients who are treated at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent. The Schnatters' generous contribution gives us the opportunity to start work on this vital facility."
