San Antonians Turn Out to Honor Maggie and Gordon Hartman

Event Benefited Morgridge Academy, a School for Chronically Ill Children

On May 19, San Antonians honored Maggie and Gordon Hartman at the 2016 San Antonio Humanitarian Award Luncheon. The event, which was held at the Morgan’s Wonderland Event Center, raised more than $51,000 for Morgridge Academy, a school for chronically ill children on the campus of National Jewish Health in Denver.
 

(Left to right) Mertie Wood; Dale Wood, M.D.; Edith McAllister; Gordon Hartman; Katherine Schlosberg and Richard T.  Schlosberg III.

The Hartmans, founders of the ultra-accessible park Morgan’s Wonderland and The Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland, received the prestigious National Jewish Health Humanitarian Award for their significant civic and charitable contributions, as well as their outstanding leadership in industry and community.

Gordon founded Gordon Hartman Homes in 1983 and built homes for low- to moderate-income families. Over the next 22 years, he grew his company into the largest locally owned home-building and land development enterprise in San Antonio. In 2005, he sold his companies, and he and Maggie established The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to provide positive opportunities for children and adults who deal with the daily obstacles of cognitive and physical special needs. In addition to their foundation, Maggie is active in other philanthropic organizations, including Mission Road Ministries; Impact San Antonio; Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing (WINGS); and ThriveWell Cancer Foundation.

“The Hartmans have changed what it means to ‘live’ with special needs,” said Honorary Event Co-Chair Harvey Najim. “Morgan’s Wonderland and The Academy at Morgan’s Wonderland have given children and adults ultra-accessible places to grow, learn, play and fully interact with those around them. Maggie and Gordon, both life-long San Antonians, were inspired to create these spectacular places by their daughter, Morgan Hartman.”

Najim then presented the Hartmans with the Humanitarian Award. This year, it was a watercolor painting of a tree created especially for the Hartmans by the students at Morgridge Academy.

The children at Morgridge Academy live with chronic illnesses, such as severe asthma and allergies, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia and immune deficiencies, including HIV/AIDS, which can lead to frequent absences and falling behind academically and socially at a traditional school. School nurses help students understand and manage their illnesses, resulting in improved health, self-esteem and success in the classroom. It is the only school of its kind on a medical campus in the country.

“The care that Morgridge students receive is based on what we provide all children who come to National Jewish Health,” said keynote speaker Jennifer McCullough, Director of Education at Morgridge Academy. “For decades, National Jewish Health has been a leader in the research and treatment of children with respiratory, immune and allergic conditions. Our unique and comprehensive Pediatric Day Program is where patients participate in disease management and therapeutic activities. They see our physicians, meet with our experts in child behavioral health, and take part in art therapy and other appointments that address their ‘whole’ wellbeing.”

Over the past four decades, San Antonians have raised more than $2.5 million for National Jewish Health, helping the institution conduct groundbreaking research and provide compassionate care for patients in Texas, Colorado and across the country.

Honorary Event Chairs were Nancy and Harvey Najim and Martie and Dennis Noll. Honorary Advisory Committee Members included Louise and Mike Beldon, Laura and Harry Brusenhan, Lila Cockrell, Toni and Richard Goldsmith, Toni and General Tom Hill, Edith McAllister (National Jewish Health Trustee), Laura and Jack Richmond, Richard T. Schlosberg III (National Jewish Health Trustee) and Mertie and Dale A. Wood, MD (National Jewish Health Trustees).

For more information about the San Antonio Humanitarian Award Luncheon, contact Alexandra Vander Pol at 303.728.6527 or VanderPolA@njhealth.org.