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Your investment is an act of neighboring and faith. Please consider sharing your faith beyond your lifetime by including Bridge of Hope in your estate plans, which makes you a member of our Legacy of Hope Society. By saying “yes!” and including Bridge of Hope in your will, as a beneficiary for a percentage of retirement funds, with a charitable trust, or another legacy tool, you can bring hope and make all the difference for mothers and children facing homelessness.
Contact Lila Stoeckle, Senior Development Officer or Edith Yoder, National Director of Development to learn more about how you can leave a legacy of hope.
Contact Us lilas@bridgeofhopeinc.org edithy@bridgeofhopeinc.org
Include a gift to Bridge of Hope National in your will or revocable trust. It may be a specific amount or a percentage of your estate. Whether it includes stocks, bonds or personal property, your estate receives a charitable donation.
Designate Bridge of Hope National as a beneficiary in your retirement plan or life insurance policy and you can provide an important gift at considerable tax savings.
Receive income for life while making a gift to Bridge of Hope National. This allows you to obtain an income tax deduction, reduce your estate taxes, and protect your financial security.
All portions of planned giving bequests over $5,000 automatically become a part of Bridge of Hope National’s endowment unless otherwise directed by the donor or board of directors of Bridge of Hope National.
Legal Name: Bridge of Hope Inc. Legal Address: PO Box 304, Exton, PA 19341 EIN: 81-0555073
*Donor is deceased and his/her planned gift is making a difference each year for homeless families through the Bridge for Tomorrow Endowment Fund.
Andy and Dot Leatherman are part of the Legacy of Hope Society at Bridge of Hope. And here’s why:
“We saw the beginning of Bridge of Hope. The date? August 10, 1986. The place? Sandy Hill Mennonite Church. After a challenging spirit-led sermon exhorting us to face the ruins that life can bring to many of us head on, a vision of meeting the needs of homeless women and children was born. From that date on, the vision grew, and grew, and grew. We are utterly astounded at God’s ability to take a small seed and grow it to a big tree of blessing. It is this work of God where we wish to leave a portion of our money after we die. It is a worthy place for others to join in this legacy. We say, and continue to say . . . Yes!”
We invite you, along with Andy and Dot, to ensure that this “big tree of blessing” stays healthy and strong, and continues to grow – so that those whose lives have felt like “ruins” are transformed for generations to come.
Geneva K. Martin, born in Holmes County, Ohio, was the beloved wife of 64 years to the late Melvin J. Martin. Together, they lived their entire married life in a beautiful historic home, operating a dairy farm while Geneva tended to a vast garden and multiple flower beds.
Geneva’s deep faith was evident in her daily routine, starting each morning with a cup of coffee, her Bible, and a prayer journal. Both she and Melvin were passionate supporters of Bridge of Hope, believing that churches could follow in the footsteps of Jesus to help end family homelessness. Their legacy will continue to provide strength and stability for mothers and children facing homelessness in Lancaster, PA.
A dedication to women and children was clear through Geneva’s active involvement at Forest Hills Mennonite Church in Leola. She taught an adult women’s class for several years and contributed to Vacation Bible School when her children were young.
Above all, Geneva’s greatest passion was her family. She will always be remembered for her kind and conscientious care for her children and grandchildren, and her compassion extended to children beyond her family.
Geneva’s son, Sheldon, shared that both his mother and father “loved supporting the Bridge of Hope mission and believed in its work to end family homelessness.”
Robert “Bob” Groff Neuhauser, who passed away on May 5, 2025, at age 97, was a pioneering engineer and a passionate advocate for justice. His early work at RCA helped revolutionize color television, earning him the David Sarnoff Gold Medal in 1964.
Bob’s relationship with Bridge of Hope was both foundational and visionary. He provided seed funding to launch our national work and engaged his faith community, Lancaster Friends Meeting, in forming Neighboring Groups to support families facing homelessness. His commitment to civil rights, fair housing and peace activism extended well into retirement, often in partnership with his second wife, Dorothy Killebrew, whom he married in 2001.
Bob was deeply involved in the sanctuary movement, microfinance initiatives and the American Friends Service Committee. He was also a prolific writer, publishing technical papers, essays, and personal reflections—including The Cosmic Deity and The Grandpa Bob Stories, a collection of letters to his grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia (Ginny) Steward Neuhauser, with whom he shared nearly 50 years of marriage. He is survived by Dorothy, his four children, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, touched by his adventurous spirit and deep compassion.
Alice Yoder Rini, born in Hartville, Ohio, faced the loss of her father at just 16 years old. This profound event led Alice to become her mother’s primary caregiver and support for decades.
At age 47, Alice married Nick Marion Rini, and they cherished 25 wonderful years together, enjoying outdoor activities like gardening, hiking, birdwatching and traveling. They were active volunteers and members of numerous parks, wilderness centers, and hiking clubs. Beyond her love for nature, Alice had a deep compassion for children.
Alice earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Kent State and dedicated her career to teaching fifth graders, primarily in the Field Local School District in Brimfield. She also taught briefly at Lake Center Christian Day School.
Alice was introduced to Bridge of Hope by her cousin, Ruth S. Weaver, a long-time board member. Ruth shared, “Alice was very touched by the needs of moms and children in Bridge of Hope because of the loss of her own father when she was a very young girl. Alice felt deeply for the families, especially the children, in Bridge of Hope.”
Edgar Stoesz, who passed away on March 12, 2025, at age 95, was a global servant leader whose career spanned decades and continents. Born in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, Edgar’s plans for farm life were interrupted by the Korean War draft. In response to the war, Edgar chose a path of nonviolent service—an act that blossomed into a lifelong calling.
He served with the Mennonite Central Committee for 35 years and held leadership roles with Mennonite Indemnity, Goodville Mutual Insurance, and Menno Travel. His work touched on refugee resettlement, civil rights, world hunger, and mutual aid for missionaries. He traveled to over 70 countries, testified before Congress, and attended a reception in the Oval Office.
Edgar was a passionate board leader, chairing the boards of Bridge of Hope National, Habitat for Humanity International, Heifer International, and others. He participated in nine Habitat builds with Jimmy Carter and met Princess Diana at a Leprosy Congress reception. At Bridge of Hope, Edgar’s leadership helped shape our national expansion, and his memorable “Edgar-isms”—like “govern by buoys” and “no raw meat at the board table”—continue to guide our board culture today.
He was a mentor to many, including our CEO, Edith Yoder, and authored several books, including Doing Good Better: How to be an Effective Board Member. For 66 years, Edgar called the hilltop in Akron home, where he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and family life.
Edgar’s legacy of generosity and vision continues to shape our future. His estate gift helped make possible the purchase of the property in Lancaster, PA, which will be named in his honor as Stoesz Place—a lasting tribute to a man whose life was devoted to service, compassion and community.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gladys, with whom he shared 58 years of partnership. He is survived by his six children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and sister.
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