With your gift to Shore Medical Center, you join us in Caring Together for our entire community. Your investment in Shore helps us provide the best in patient-centered care and the most advanced treatment options. Donate today!

Please use the purple tabs below to learn more about the many ways you can give to Shore. To reach our Planned Giving & Development staff, call 609-653-3800. Shore Medical Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Tax ID #: 21-0660835.  

Naming Opportunities, Memorial & Tribute Donations

Memorial & Tribute Donations
Making a donation to Shore Medical Center in honor or in memory of someone special to you is a wonderful way to leave a lasting and meaningful legacy. When you make a donation of this kind, we notify the honoree’s or the individual’s next-of-kin that your gift has been received. You can make a donation in honor or memory of someone online here. 

For those who wish to make an even larger impact in honor or memory of someone, naming opportunities are available throughout the hospital. Our Planned Giving & Development team will work with you to find a meaningful location to place a plaque and create a beautiful tribute to your loved one. 

The video below captures just how meaningful naming opportunities at Shore Medical Center can be for the family and friends of those who are honored. Betty Halpern was a nurse at Shore Medical Center for over 30 years who lost her battle with cancer in July of 2019, and PACU patient bay #5 is forever dedicated in Betty’s memory. 

Please call our Planned Giving & Development Team today at 609-653-3800 to learn more about memorial and tribute donations, or simply make your donation online. 

Lightkeeper’s Society: “Concierge-Like Benefits”

Making peace of mind part of your healthcare experience.

The Lightkeeper’s Society at Shore Medical Center was established in 2008 to honor the outstanding commitment of donors who support the exceptional healthcare at Shore Medical Center. With an annual commitment of $5,000 or more, your tax deductible gift to the Lightkeeper's Society will help further enhance the delivery of care for all of the patients at Shore.

To demonstrate our appreciation, Shore Medical Center created the Lightkeeper’s Society, a donor-centered program that brings peace of mind to our benefactors and their families to their Shore Medical Center healthcare experiences.

We thank our Lightkeeper's Society members for their thoughtfulness and generosity by presenting them with access to a donor liaison, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week. From physician and specialist recommendations to helping navigate our health system, a Lightkeeper Liaison will make every effort to facilitate your healthcare needs. This includes providing personal assistance during an emergency situation. Should you or a family member require immediate medical attention, a Lightkeepers Liaison will come to the emergency department at Shore Medical Center offering support, guidance and assistance.

Your personal Lightkeeper Liaison is available 24/7/365 to assist you with all aspects of your Shore Medical Center experience including:

• Help navigate our health system and facilitate access to care
• Offer personal assistance during an emergency situation
• A private room, when available, if admission to the Medical Center is required
• Arrange and expedite appointments, tests, procedures, treatments and health screenings
• Recommend outpatient services, in-home care and medical supply resources
• Coordinate your healthcare needs with other providers when traveling between primary and seasonal residences
• Advocate on your behalf when family is unavailable

For additional information regarding community offers/discounts or for a donation application please contact:

Mary McGuckin, Manager Lightkeeper’s Society
609-653-4657 or email mmcguckin@shoremedicalcenter.org

Stainton Society

The Stainton Society is the longest running donor society at Shore Medical Center. Shore’s growth and endless pursuit of excellence has been made possible over the years only by the matching level of passion and generosity from the community which dates back to 1989.

The Society was created to help provide ongoing philanthropic support for the hospital’s growth and modernization programs. The organization was formed in memory of Howard S. Stainton, Ocean City’s most famous businessman, philanthropist and supporter of Shore Medical Center. In the spirit of his humble philanthropy, the Stainton Society allows individuals, families, and businesses to provide annual support to Shore Medical Center through membership.

The impact of the Stainton Society can be readily seen all over the campus, its members helped fund a number of project and equipment needs including a, Orthopedic Laminar Airflow Surgical Suite, Emergency Room renovations, CT Scanner, Critical Care Center, Pet CT Scanner, and the Shore Cancer Center. Annual membership gifts range from $500–$4,999, and all funds are used to ensure the ever changing healthcare needs of our community are met with the region’s most advanced medical services and clinical expertise.

Stainton Associates, is geared toward our community’s brightest and most dedicated supporters under age 40. This level provides an opportunity to network with the area’s most influential individuals and business leaders. Support for this level is $250 or more.

Member Benefits:

• Recognition on five digital displays located within Shore Medical Center
• Recognition in our Shore Connections Donor Newsletter distributed two times per year
• Invitations to special events throughout the year that give you access to our physicians, wellness experts, and more
• Community Deals & Discounts

The Legacy Of Howard S. Stainton
Howard S. Stainton was a successful entrepreneur who owned Stainton’s Department store in Ocean City, New Jersey, as well as the largest single home builder in Ocean City. Mr. Stainton was often referred to as “Mr. Ocean City” for his many accomplishments and generosity to his community. He supplied heating oil, free of charge, to the local rescue squad, helped families of his employees with medical bills and educational expenses and was given numerous honors over the years for his extreme generosity.

Mr. Stainton served on Shore’s Hospital Board from 1941 through the 1950’s and oversaw two major expansions to the Medical Center. While Howard Stainton passed away in 1979 at the age of 93, his legacy lives on. His estate, via the Stainton Trust, has donated more than $9 million to major capital improvements at the hospital, including the Howard S. Stainton Pavilion in 1976.

Diorio Society – Planned Gifts and Gifts that Pay You Income

The DiOrio Society recognizes and honors those who have made a commitment to preserve and enhance the current and future healthcare needs of our entire community by making a planned gift to Shore Medical Center.  Your investment is an investment in future generations’ chapters in life.

 
The DiOrio Society is named in honor of Joseph DiOrio, who served on the Shore Medical Center Board of Trustees for 50 years.  Though Joe joined the Board in 1964, his commitment to Shore began long before when, as a young man, he performed odd jobs around the hospital.  Joe served as Board Chair from 1974-1975 and in 2000 was honored by Shore employees for his dedication and commitment to the organization, awarding him an “Award of Gratitude” and naming DiOrio Hall in his honor.

Joe’s impact on Shore Medical Center is immeasurable and will be felt for generations to come.  He was an active leader involved in the growth and development of numerous programs and projects that provide the highest quality of healthcare, including the building of the Hayes Tower, the Cancer Center, and the Ben and Flora Baker Surgical Pavilion.

Through the DiOrio Society, Joe’s ‘chapter in life’, as well as his passion and dedication to Shore Medical Center, will continue forever. By making a planned gift, you can make a significant gift to Shore Medical Center and gain financial and tax benefits for you and your family and will qualify you for membership in the DiOrio Society.

Below are various forms of charitable gift plans to consider. We would be delighted to work with you and your advisors in arranging planned gifts that best suit your family, financial, and philanthropic objectives.

Gifts that pay you Income

Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA)

• The Charitable Gift Annuity is among the oldest, simplest, and most popular of the charitable life-income plans. In exchange for a transfer of cash, marketable securities, or, in some circumstances, real estate, we contractually guarantee to make specified annuity payments to you and/or another beneficiary for life. The payout rate depends on the age(s) at the time of the gift.
  • Benefits:
    • Fixed payment for life
    • Allowable federal income tax deduction
    • Part of payment is tax-free

Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT)

• The growing popularity of charitable trusts can be credited to the financial- and estate-planning flexibility they afford. With a CRT, assets are placed into the trust which provides income to the pre-determined beneficiary or beneficiaries. At the end of the term of trust, "the remainder" distributes to Shore Medical Center. The donor selects the rate of return and trustee of the trust.
  • Benefits:
    • Beneficiaries enjoy income from trust (without managing the property)
    • May realize significant federal charitable deduction in year of gift
    • Reduction of estate settlement costs
    • Avoidance of capital gain in some instances

Pooled Income Fund

• A fund managed by Shore Medical Center’s trustee in which gifts are “Pooled” for investment purposes with income shared proportionately among the participants. The rate fluctuates with the market.
  • Benefits:
    • May realize significant federal charitable deduction in year of gift.
    • Avoidance of capital gain with gifts of appreciated securities.

Bequests
An excellent way for you to support Shore Medical Center's mission is to leave us as a bequest in your will, living trust or with a codicil. One significant benefit of making a gift by bequest is that it allows you to continue to use the property you will leave to charity during your life. Another benefit is that you are able to leave a lasting legacy.

A bequest can be made in several ways:

• You can gift a specific dollar amount or asset
• You can gift a percentage of your estate
• You can gift from the balance or residue of your estate
• You can make a beneficiary designation of certain assets
  • Benefits:
    • You leave a lasting legacy to be remembered
    • You lessen the burden of taxes on your family
    • You may receive estate tax savings

Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets
Donating part or all of your unused retirement assets, such as your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan, is an excellent way to make a gift to Shore Medical Center. If you are like most people, you probably will not use all of your retirement assets during your lifetime. You can make a gift of your unused retirement assets to help further our mission.

Did you know that 60%-70% of your retirement assets may be taxed if you leave them to your heirs at your death? Another option is to leave your heirs assets that receive a step up in basis, such as real estate and stock, and give the retirement assets to Shore Medical Center. As a charity, we are not taxed upon receiving an IRA or other retirement plan assets.

Benefits:

• Avoid potential estate tax on retirement assets
• Your heirs would avoid income tax on any retirement assets funded on a pre-tax basis
• Receive potential estate tax savings from an estate tax deduction

Legal Name
All charitable gifts should be directed to “Shore Medical Center” and if the gift is for general purposes or should be restricted to a particular project or program, please indicate. Please feel free to contact us directly for current initiatives.

Tax ID Number
Shore Medical Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Tax ID #: 21-0660835.

Instructions for: Transferring Stocks, Securities or sending Certificates
Please contact:  Mary McGuckin 609-653-4657
www.mmcguckin@shoremedicalcenter.org

IRA Charitable Rollover
You may be looking for a way to make a big difference to help further our mission. If you are 70½ or older you may also be interested in a way to lower the income and taxes from your IRA withdrawals. An IRA charitable rollover is a way you can help continue our work and benefit this year.

How an IRA charitable rollover gift works

• Contact your IRA plan administrator to make a gift from your IRA to us.
• Your IRA funds will be directly transferred to our organization to help continue our important work.
• Please note that IRA charitable rollover gifts do not qualify for a charitable deduction.
•  Please contact us if you wish for your gift to be used for a specific purpose.
  • Benefits:
    • Avoid taxes on transfers of up to $100,000 from your IRA to our organization
    • Satisfy your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year
    • Reduce your taxable income, even if you do not itemize deductions
    • Make a gift that is not subject to the deduction limits on charitable gifts
    • Help further the work and mission of our organization

Attorney, Advisor & Transfer of Stock Information
Shore Medical Center welcomes the opportunity to work with you and your clients to identify tax-wise ways to support Shore Medical Center’s charitable nonprofit mission.  Please contact us directly for information or confidential help.

Members of the DiOrio Society are provided with a variety of benefits, including:

• Invitations to Shore’s Monthly Community Health Education events
• Recognition in our Semi-annual Newsletter
• Invitations to private receptions, special events, and seminars
• Eligible for naming opportunities based upon your specific gift
• Planned Gifts, Bequests & Tax deferred Charitable Contributions may also qualify you to receive benefits of the Lightkeeper’s Society based upon your specific gift

If you have already included Shore Medical Center in your estate plans please let us know so that we may properly acknowledge your generosity and ensure your gift will be used as you intend. Your information remains confidential but will assist Shore in planning for the future.

What do you want your Legacy to be?

Guardian Angel – “A Way To Say Thank You To Your Cargiver’

Honor that person who made a difference…today! Visiting any medical center can be a stressful experience. During your stay, you, a family member or friend might be touched by the words or actions of one of the passionate Shore physicians, nurses or staff members who care for you from admission through discharge. The Guardian Angel program was established to provide you with the opportunity to say thank you to these special caregivers.

Guardian Angels can be anyone from valet parking attendants, Physicians, nurses, aides, food servers or the person cleaning your room.  By making a $50 donation; you can recognize that Special Caregiver as your Guardian Angel.  Your Angel will be notified of your gift and kind words.  They will also be invited to the Annual Pinning Ceremony where they will receive a custom designed Guardian Angel pin to be worn proudly on their badge.

To find out more on how you can shine the spotlight on Shore’s exceptional caregivers, making them a shining example for their peers by highlighting their commitment to patient-centered care, make your Guardian Angel gift today, or contact Mary McGuckin at 609-653-4657 or email.

Shore Connections Donor Newsletters

Your gifts to Shore Medical Center create a ripple throughout our hospital that reaches from corner to corner and patient to patient. To help share just some of the ways your gifts make a difference at Shore, we've developed a newsletter for our donors, Shore Connections. We send this out twice a year, but we also make it available right here on our website.

You’ll notice on the newsletter cover there are three linked starfish. They represent the three most important elements of our work: the medical center team, our generous donors, and the patients and families we are able to help together. The starfish also call to mind the adaptation of Loren Eiseley’s essay, The Star Thrower. In it, the narrator encounters a young man on a beach tossing washed-up starfish into the ocean and asks why he’s doing this. The young man replies, “If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.” The narrator is baffled by the man’s seemingly fruitless efforts. “But there are starfish all along every mile. You can’t possibly make a difference!” The young man tosses another starfish into the water and says, “It made a difference to that one.” This message speaks volumes about the impact of your gifts, no matter the size.

Thank you for joining all of us at Shore Medical Center on this journey as we work together to make a difference in the lives of our friends, family and neighbors who need our help most. We hope you enjoy reading Shore Connections.

• Shore Connections: Fall/Winter 2017
• Shore Connections: Spring/Summer 2017
• Shore Connections: Spring 2018
• Shore Connections: Winter 2018
• Shore Connections: Spring 2019
• Shore Connections: Fall 2019
• Shore Connections: Fall 2020
• Shore Connections: Spring 2021
• Shore Connections: Fall 2021
• Shore Connections: Summer 2022
• Shore Connections: Fall 2022

Meet the Team

Mary McGuckin
Manager - Lightkeeper's Society,
Planned Giving & Grateful Patient programs
email  | 609-653-4657

Jessica Giles
Manager- Business Development
email  | 609-653-3986