Editor’s note: The celebration of local philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Mahoning-Shenango Chapter is set for Nov. 15 at Mr. Anthony’s Banquet Center in Boardman. The Business Journal is highlighting this year’s National Philanthropy Day honorees in a series of stories.
Outstanding Philanthropist: John J. Masternick
Legacy Award: Ruth Ellen Kyle
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – John J. Masternick, named this year’s Outstanding Philanthropist, is “carrying on the legacy of giving that was instilled in him by his parents,” says JoAnn Stock, co-chair of the National Philanthropy Day awards.
Masternick, an attorney, is president and CEO of Windsor House Inc., a Girard-based company that operates 17 skilled nursing and retirement communities.
His nominator, Paul Homick, president of the Mercy Health Foundation, says he first became acquainted with Masternick when he took over the foundation about eight years ago.
“John has been a wonderful person to work with, somebody who is
very much interested in bettering our community and somebody who demonstrates really profound faith and exceptionally strong values,” Homick says.
Masternick and his family have supported nursing scholarships, including at the Mercy foundation, according to Homick.
Nursing is an area of health care that is facing a nationwide shortage and the scholarship funds address current nursing needs at Mercy and help to build the workforce for the future, he says.
“The Masternicks have been very important business owners and have contributed from that aspect to the community. But they also have a real passion for building our workforce in the community, especially around nursing,” he says. “Their support of education has also been very important.”
In addition, Homick points to Masternick’s support for providing medical assistance to the poor.
“As we all know, there is a significant population within the community that needs help with obtaining their health care,” he says.
With the support of various donors and the Masternicks in particular, the Mercy Foundation has been able to address issues such as prescription assistance, transportation to medical appointments and access to medical services in the community through a “robust mobile strategy” offering dental, mammography and medical services regardless of ability to pay Homick says.
Beyond Masternick’s support for Mercy Health Foundation, other beneficiaries of his generosity include
Hospice of the Valley, Girard City Schools and Beatitude House.
During his tenure as chairman of the Western Reserve Port Authority, WRPA established an economic development division in 2008 that is playing a growing role in local community and economic development.
The port authority’s work in recent years has included providing financing and acquiring and transferring property to drive economic development projects in the region.
Anthony Trevena, hired in 2015 as WRPA director of economic development and now its executive director, praises Masternick for his foresight.
“Mr. Masternick’s visionary leadership is a testament to his ability to see beyond the present and invest in the future of our community,” Trevena says. “His strategic foresight laid the groundwork for initiatives that continue to strengthen the Mahoning Valley.”
Ruth Ellen Kyle was a woman who “gave her life to education, teaching and spirituality, and really tried to improve our community,” says Susan Berny, who nominated Kyle.
Berny is community outreach director for Sight for All United and National Philanthropy Day publicity chairwoman for the Mahoning-Shenango AFP chapter. She became acquainted with Ruth Ellen Kyle’s legacy when she was a major gift officer at Park Vista Retirement community in Youngstown.
Kyle was one of “the matriarchs,” along with Helen Stambaugh, Anne Christman and others who supported Park Vista through trusts, Berny says.
Born in 1908 to Charles and Rosa McGowan Kyle, she moved to the Mahoning Valley as a child. She received her bachelor’s degree from Wooster College in 1932 and a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan in 1942.
Kyle was employed as a teacher by the Campbell Board of Education. She taught for more than 30 years before retiring in 1966.
She was the fourth resident to move into Park Vista’s north apartment building in 1984.
At Park Vista, where she was the first elected president of the tenants’ association, she became active with the ecumenical religious life committee at the retirement community.
“She was known for her generous spirit and tireless volunteering. She held a deep belief that spirituality was a vital part of life, and that was evident in the way she served her neighbors,” Berny says.
Kyle’s “big passion was the religious fund and she provided money for the chapel for the stained-glass windows,” she continues. Kyle also donated to the chapel fund each month, enabling Park Vista to hire a chaplain.
During her time at Park Vista, she contributed nearly $324,000 to the retirement community.
Kyle inherited money from her parents, never married and lived frugally. When she died in 2010, just shy of her 102nd birthday, she left $1.6 million to benefit the community through the Kyle Family Charitable Fund.
Beneficiaries of that fund originally were what today is known as Easterseals of Northeast Ohio, Tod Children’s Hospital and Park Vista.
Kyle cared about Park Vista as a place “where she was able to express her spirituality with the aging adult population there,” Berny says. Children – particularly children with disabilities – also were passions of hers.
PNC Bank manages the Kyle trust and continues to disburse funds today. Recipients include Akron Children’s, which received the portion that had been allotted to Tod Children’s Hospital until it closed.