The Cookie Lady Provides Ingredients for Permanent Gifts

Charity in its simplest terms is giving of one’s time, talents and treasures to support the cause, or causes, one cares about. For many, charity is a fundamental part of life. Some choose to participate actively in charitable endeavors during their lifetime, while others plan legacies that will support their charitable interests when they are gone.

The Springfield Foundation recently received a bequest from an individual who dedicated her life to helping others. She knew the needs of those she cared for would always exist, so she decided to make a gift that would help them forever. Sally A. Hare was a Special Education teacher at Snowhill Elementary School for 26 years where she was dedicated to helping the many special needs children with whom she worked and held close to her heart. During her lifetime she was a supporter of activities that benefited those with special needs and she had a particular fondness for the Special Olympics. Her generosity did not stop there. Throughout her lifetime she baked thousands of cookies for the Springfield Police Department. Annually, she would provide her treats as a token of thanks and eventually she became known by the Officers as “The Cookie Lady.”

Through her Last Will and Testament, Sally left a gift to the Springfield Foundation that will perpetuate her charitable interests far into the future. Her gift ensures that the men and women of the Springfield Police Division will continue to receive cookies annually as a special “thank you” and that Special Olympics Ohio will receive support for their activities in Clark County. Once again, Sally’s kindness did not stop there. In addition, her gift has established a scholarship fund at the Foundation that will provide college scholarships for employees of the Springfield Police ivision and their dependents. Through her generosity, Sally will be taking care of those she loved in life . . . forever. Some knew her as “Ms. Hare,” some as “Sally,” and others as “the Cookie Lady.” Now, we know her as a lady who memorialized her concern for others through a gift that will provide for the causes she cared about forever.