Jim and Mary Jane Brenneman
Artman
“Liberty Lutheran is blessed to have Jim and Mary Jane Brenneman as generous and long-time friends. Both grew up in families that nurtured a spirit of giving—whether through service or philanthropy.”
“Mom and Dad certainly didn’t have an overabundance of free time or resources when I was young, but I regularly heard them say how blessed their lives had been and how important it was to give back to God through their church and to worthy organizations whose mission it is to improve the quality of life for others,” lovingly remembers Jim.
As residents of Ambler for 46 years, Jim and Mary Jane have actively sought out and supported various Lutheran charities in the area. Early on as Ambler residents, Artman was definitely on their radar because many of their friends from Christ’s Lutheran Church in Oreland, PA were engaged with Artman in some way—either through family who lived there or through volunteer service.
Yet, it was a serendipitous twist of events between Jim and a long-lost childhood friend that inspired the Brennemans to become deeply involved in Artman and Liberty Lutheran both as donors and volunteers.
That friend, Russell (Russ) Long, was someone who grew up in the same York, PA Lutheran church as Jim. Together the two attended vacation bible school and enjoyed playing ball. Yet, as is the case with many people, the boys lost touch as they grew older. Jim entered the telecommunications industry and Russ became a Lutheran pastor—although Jim never stopped wondering in what state and synod his friend had ultimately settled.
One day in the mid-1990s Jim found his answer when he learned that Russ was actually nearby and at that time serving as Director of Development for Liberty’s Artman senior living community. Not only did the two men joyfully re-connect, but Russ offered Jim and Mary Jane the opportunity to more intimately learn about Artman’s many critical services and the way they enrich life for elders.
Ever since that happy re-acquaintance, Jim and Mary Jane have continued to support Artman and Liberty Lutheran in so many thoughtful and generous ways—from Mary Jane offering companionship to an Artman resident, to Jim volunteering his talents to serve on several Liberty Lutheran committees. Together as a couple they have established long-term gifts to help Artman sustain its century-long tradition of compassionate care and service for older adults.
“We saw very early on in our lives the value of nonprofit organizations and have understood how they are dependent upon the generous giving of other people to be able to succeed. Thus, we find it very meaningful to participate in annual giving, capital campaigns, and planned giving in order to support the necessary, wonderful services that Liberty provides,” says Jim.
It has been very fulfilling for Jim and Mary Jane to actually see the differences they’ve been able to make—especially for those individuals who need rehabilitative care. The couple has made a very generous contribution to support the construction of Artman’s new short-term rehabilitation facility.
Together with the kind and generous caring communities of people who support the Liberty Lutheran family of services, Mary Jane and Jim cherish the opportunity to help foster vital initiatives that help older adults age successfully, maintain health, nurture inspiration, build resiliency, and renew hope. “Every gift—whether time, skills, or financial resources—and whatever the size—adds cumulative value and makes a difference,” says Jim.
