Heart-healthy giving: Fred Sparling’s gifts help shape the future
One thing Fred Sparling knows for sure: There’s no better feeling than giving from his heart to bring hope and health to others. Fred’s generosity to Emanate Health spans decades and impacts both patients and programs, especially those related to heart health.
Making a planned gift
Fred moved to Glendora in 1996 after retiring from business in Monrovia. He began volunteering at Foothill Presbyterian Hospital, where he and his wife, Lois, also became donors. “Years ago, we decided to put the hospital in our estate plan,” Fred says. “Lois had total knee replacement surgery on both knees. We wanted to contribute and felt investing in our community hospital was well worth it.”
Fred and Lois made affordable arrangements through a living trust as part of their estate plan, utilizing a simple but effective way to make a contribution to Emanate Health that won’t take effect until they have passed away. They chose to make a bequest because it facilitated their investment in the health of the community while simultaneously meeting other personal and family priorities.
Life-saving care
On Christmas Day in 2004, Fred didn’t feel well; he says he was so tired “his teeth hurt.” After arriving at the FPH emergency department, Fred was diagnosed and treated for a heart attack, undergoing an angioplasty (with stent) at the Heart Center at Inter-Community Hospital. In 2005, Fred once again felt ill, this time while on the treadmill, participating in the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at ICH. Because Cardiac Rehab is an on-site, monitored exercise program, Fred was helped quickly. He required coronary bypass surgery; thankfully, the surgery was successful.
He is a grateful man: “I have been going to Cardiac Rehab for more than 13 years. I go three times a week and follow the exercise program designed for me. I’m in better shape than I’ve been in over 15 years. They saved my life!”
Mended Hearts
Mended Hearts is a national organization dedicated to inspiring hope and improving the quality of life for heart patients and their families through ongoing peer-to-peer support. Fred has served as president of the San Gabriel Valley chapter of Mended Hearts for nine years. He is one of seven volunteers who visited 569 patients and 33 family members in 2018. Under Fred’s leadership, the group contributed 490 volunteer hours, providing information and encouragement to cardiac patients. Corporate Director of Volunteer Services Tiffany Ramirez speaks highly of Fred’s dedication to the program: “Fred is an amazing volunteer who knows firsthand the importance of compassion and empathy. I appreciate him and his leadership with the Mended Hearts program.”
There are many ways to help others and strengthen a community. Fred Sparling discovered through his volunteerism and estate plan gift, he can help shape the future of Emanate Health and the programs he loves.
To plan a gift that is right for you and your family, please contact the Foundation at 626.814.2421.
Fun facts:
Fred, Lois and their son, Jonathan, own Classic Coffee, an independent coffee shop in Glendora. Classic Coffee was voted “best coffee shop” by the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, a Readers Choice award for the years 2014 through 2018. Fred and Lois have three children and six grandchildren, all living in California.