Toledo children’s hospital receives $400,000 raised by local business

What started as a Danberry Realtors charitable garage sale auction 26 years ago culminated in the presentation of a $400,000 check Tuesday to support a local pediatric behavioral health initiative.

“It lifts our spirits, and it touches our hearts to be able to do this,” said Lynn Fruth, owner and CEO of Danberry Realtors. “We’re delighted to be able to make this kind of an impact. … Not only are the kids beneficiaries, but the givers are also beneficiaries.”

Mr. Fruth was one of 40 people at a celebratory event at ProMedica Headquarters in downtown Toledo, during which the check was presented to ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital Foundation.

“They don’t have to do this,” Dasa Dzierwa, associate vice president of the ProMedica Foundation, said in an interview. “Giving back to the community is part of their DNA, and so it’s just incredible.”

The funds come directly from the Danberry Treasure Chest Fund, the company’s in-house charity that has been providing support for local families since 1990s, event organizers said.

“This really is truly remarkable to think this started in a garage 26 years ago,” said Arturo Polizzi, ProMedica president and CEO, noting that a total of more than $2 million was raised towards Ebeid Children’s Hospital over the years.

“[That] is just fantastic,” Mr. Polizzi said. “So, ProMedica is a very lucky recipient of these funds. We don’t take it lightly. We don’t take it for granted. … And we will spend it wisely, we promise. So, thank you so much for all of your support.”

Danberry Treasure Chest Fund started when the company’s leadership decided to do something to give back to the community. A few years later, they decided to support the Toledo Children’s Hospital, Mr. Fruth said.

Almost every one of Danberry Realtors’ 360 professional agents and 50 support staff have contributed to these funds, along with some of the company’s affiliated partners.

Since 2002, they have donated annually to the Toledo Children’s Hospital, fluctuating between $50,000 and $70,000, depending on the hospital’s needs.

This year, they raised over $400,000 more than the hospital needed.

“And since we’ve always intended to be the beneficiaries of kids at Toledo Children’s Hospital, we thought when the opportunity came to support this new pediatric behavioral health initiative,” Mr. Fruth said. “What better way to give back the money that we raised?”

Contact Mike Sigov at

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