Mercy Foundation Dedicates Donor Wall

Looking forward to its fifth anniversary in 2004, The Mercy Foundation’s Board of Directors knew it wanted to do something special to recognize those donors who made major gifts in these early years of its existence. Most institutions that have benefited from the financial support of donors display some form of “donor wall” to recognize those special gifts. The Mercy Foundation Board decided that, with the right design, its donor wall could accomplish more.

Rather than the usual wooden background with a list of names engraved in brass plaques, the Board opted to commission a new work of art, to be designed and created by a northern Minnesota artist. Mounted in a prominent position in Mercy’s main lobby, the work is a permanent gift to the greater community from The Mercy Foundation.

The commission for the work was awarded to metal sculptor Jeffrey Kreitz, who works from his studio, Creative Steel Work, Inc., in Crosslake, MN. The sculptor visited Mercy Hospital to look at the space and light and get a better sense of the Foundation’s goals for the piece. The Mercy Foundation’s motif, the white oak leaf and acorn, served as the basic inspiration for the work. The name “Quercus Alba” is the Latin name for the white oak. When asked why the white oak was chosen by The Foundation, Coordinator Cindy Carlson explained it this way: “The white oak is hardy in our zone, starts from the little acorn, grows to an impressive size and provides many gifts, from shelter to wood to a natural beauty. Throughout history, the oak has been a valued resource and has been used as a symbol of strength and longevity. It just seemed like a perfect fit for what we hope the Mercy Foundation will be for our community.”

Wrought in a combination of stainless steel, copper and brass, a single long branch of white oak, with leaves and acorns, is mounted on the wall. The branch symbolizes the growth of The Mercy Foundation and the idea of its work as a “giving tree” to benefit Mercy. Framed in a coordinating metal frame and mounted under the shelter of the branch is the Foundation’s expression of gratitude to those donors whose accumulated gifts to The Mercy Foundation are $3,000 or more. Printed on parchment, the list is designed to be updated annually in October.

In addition to the wall display, a permanent book, naming all donors who have made gifts of any size to The Mercy Foundation from its Charter Year on, will be displayed on a coordinating table. That portion of the project is still in the works.

The formal unveiling and dedication of The Mercy Foundation Donor Wall and its sculpture, “Quercus Alba: a Branch from the Giving Tree” took place during National Hospital Week on Wednesday, May 12, 2004, at 5 PM. The Mercy Foundation invites you to stop in Mercy’s Main Lobby and have a look at the area’s newest work of art.