"The front entrance has a sign that says, 'If you see something, say something.' Well, I also think if you see something you should do something."

As a volunteer at Providence Holy Family Hospital, Bobbi Piacquadio is used to helping people solve problems. She helps visitors find their way every Monday and Friday morning.

"It's all about the people," Bobbi says. "I get joy from helping people."

During those volunteer shifts, she saw a need and couldn't stop thinking about it. Too many of the doors frequently used did not have automatic openers to ease the way for people who use a wheelchair or are differently-abled.

"I sat at the desk, and I watched people with wheelchairs trying to get through the door. I felt like I had to do something about it," Bobbi said. "It was the same way with the bathroom, watching people with wheelchairs trying to get through bathroom doors. I couldn't stand it."

Bobbi made a connection with Providence Inland Northwest Foundation and decided to donate funds for the automatic door openers. To make a gift, Bobbi used her IRA rollover option to transfer funds directly to the Foundation.

"I see this problem, I'm not using my IRA money for anything," Bobbi said. "Why not? I can, why shouldn't I?"

For people who are 70½ or older, an IRA charitable rollover can help save taxes and satisfy the required minimum distribution for the year. Bobbi said it was as easy as one phone call to her IRA custodian to request the checks. Every week, she sees people benefit from that gift.

"Sitting at the north information desk, I see people going into the MS clinic and they push the button and in they roll. Same with bathrooms—they are right there. I see it every week."

Over the years, Bobbi has donated thousands of dollars for the installation of push buttons on hospital doors.

"Bobbi always helps, but she takes her actions one step further and provides funding to make the doors permanently accessible," said Susan Scott, chief operating officer for Holy Family Hospital. "Nearly every automatic accessibility door to offices, clinics or bathrooms on the main floor has been funded by Bobbi's generosity over the last several years."

Bobbi's husband passed away in 2017, but she told her kids and her grandkids about the donations. Her family couldn't visualize the need until her grandson saw a man in a wheelchair try to get through a door that didn't have a push button. The next time they spoke, he told her he understands her conviction to do something. That conversation meant a lot to Bobbi.

"In my mind, it's their inheritance I'm spending. They are a part of it. So that's a pretty special thing," Bobbi said.

She hopes the desire to give continues with the next generations of her family. In the meantime, her projects continue with ADA compliant water fountains. She has lived in Colbert since 1990, and she will continue to support Holy Family Hospital.

"Holy Family is special to me because it's my north side hospital. It's where I have to go, it's where I want to go."

Want to learn more about how you can use an IRA charitable rollover to fund a meaningful gift, satisfy the required minimum distribution and potentially save on taxes like Bobbi did? Learn More