A special gift to Health First continues legacy of caring and delivering high-quality healthcare to Brevard County.
Marilyn Holmes Kitchel
Brevard County has a long history of caring for its own. Not long after Marilyn Holmes Kitchel moved to Melbourne in 1962, she found herself becoming an integral part of that caring community.
In those early days, Marilyn had no idea that her new career at Brevard Hospital would begin a long history of service and helping others. It was while working as an executive secretary for Harry Underill, Administrator at Brevard Hospital—originally located on U.S. Highway 1—that Marilyn met her future husband, James E. “Jimmy” Holmes. Jimmy served as chairman of the hospital board more than 25 years and was the owner of James E. Holmes Insurance.
A community effort to build a new hospital began in 1958. With local leadership and community support, construction started in 1961. On November 4, 1962, the new Brevard Hospital opened its doors. Upon Jimmy’s death in 1978, the name was changed to Holmes Regional Medical Center.
Marilyn has stayed involved with Holmes Regional Medical Center and Health First in a variety of ways—first as an associate, then as a volunteer, with years serving as an auxiliary member and being active in various hospital functions. Today, she serves as a volunteer at Health First’s Viera Hospital.
Marilyn has witnessed significant growth in Brevard County—and significant growth at Health First. Likewise, she has seen increased demand for services, even accompanying family and friends who use and depend on Health First for their healthcare needs. “When it comes down to you, your family and your loved ones, where would you want them to go to get the best care?” she asks. To Marilyn, having local, quality health care is a priority. That’s why she chose to make a transformational planned gift to Health First.
“A transformational gift, as the name suggests, is a gift significant enough to catalyze positive change, or perhaps to ensure a sustainable legacy for a program,” remarks Michael Seeley, President of the the Health First Foundation. “These six- or seven figure gifts and their positive impact become indelibly associated with the donor and the donor’s family—and will be remembered by generations to come. Marilyn’s thoughtful commitment is a perfect example of transformational philanthropy.”
Jeanene Donilon, Foundation Director, agrees, “Marilyn’s gift will have an extraordinary impact on our ability to care for the Brevard community,” Donilon says. “Planned gifts are a straightforward way to make these transformational commitments today, while allowing donors to still retain control of assets, but at the same time focus their philanthropy in key areas that accomplish their long-term charitable goals.”
Making arrangements to include Health First in your will or estate plan is simple. “It’s easy,” Marilyn said. “I tell my attorney, then I tell you. I just want to make a difference.” Marilyn’s service, along with her decision to make a planned gift, embodies the true spirit of giving. Her support, designated to nursing scholarships and the Health First Cancer Institute, will ensure that we have the most skilled and compassionate caregivers and that patients receive the highest-quality care, close to home.
Health First shares Marilyn’s commitment to serving our community, and through thoughtful philanthropic gifts like hers, we will be able to do so now and in the years to come. We are inspired and honored by her generosity, which will make a positive difference for our patients in the years ahead.
We are pleased to list Marilyn in our Health First Legacy Society with a special recognition of “Volunteer Forever.” If you are interested in learning more about supporting Health First through a planned gift, please contact Chris Kern at 321.434.1807 or chris.kern@hf.org.