The Hickman – A History of Giving

The Hickman – the first Friends boarding home in West Chester – first grew out of a basic human need that was recognized by a group of caring and strong women, led by Sallie Sharpless and Lydia Hall in 1891. They saw the suffering of older women in the community who had little or no financial resources and they vowed to provide a loving and secure home for them.

This small group of women reached out to their Quaker community and mobilized supporters from throughout the Brandywine Valley. Generous gifts given to build the first building at the corner of Marshall and Walnut helped fulfill their mission. Smaller gifts supplied coal for those first cold winters. Donations of food, clothing and furniture arrived from caring neighbors. In many ways, the sense of community that began in 1891 still exists today at The Hickman.

While The Hickman has changed greatly - from a traditional boarding home to a licensed care facility -charitable giving still provides tremendous support that enhances the quality of life for our residents. Generous donors allow us to provide financial assistance to residents who may have exceeded their retirement savings due to circumstances beyond their control. Gifts from foundations, corporations and individuals allow us to make capital improvements to our beautiful, historic campus. New programs and activities are also often the result of the generosity of caring supporters.

It is our mission to provide the highest quality care possible in the most cost effective way, allowing The Hickman to be an affordable alternative for retirement living in a desirable neighborhood. Your support is put to immediate and good use in helping us fulfill that mission.

The Hickman is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, which means all gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Gifts of all sizes are gratefully accepted. Please make your gift today!

For more information on how you may fulfill your charitable giving goals through a donation to The Hickman, please click here.

For more information on these options, please contact Development Director Pam Costanzi at 484-760-6416 or at pcostanzi@thehickman.org

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