Like many in our community who care about giving back, Bobby and Gayle Hicks are active in several charitable causes and respond to need when they see it. Now, they are teaching their children to do the same.

Unknown to our teachers, doctors, therapists and caregivers, the Hicks have been quietly observing the work going on at Siskin Children’s Institute. In the fall of 2010, Bobby and Gayle decided to make a charitable gift “to a worthy cause in the community.” As they discussed where they would direct their gift, they chose to support the programs and services of the Institute.

Making their decision even more special, they committed to making their donation a meaningful experience for their own children, Lily, age 6, and Houston, 4.

The Hicks talked to their children about choosing a charity to support and the importance of helping others. They talked about how blessings should be shared, and how the children at Siskin Early Learning Centers needed an expensive piece of equipment to test their hearing.

Because of the Hicks’ generosity, an otoacoustic emissions (OAE) hearing screener was purchased that can better test the hearing of children at the Early Learning Centers. In February, Bobby, Gayle, Lily and Houston visited the Institute to see how their generosity is helping dozens of children live fuller, more productive lives. Thus far, 85 children at the Siskin Early Learning Centers have been tested, and 19 have been referred to their pediatrician for futher hearing analysis based on the screening results. During their visit, Lily and Houston had a chance to see how the screener works and met some of the children who have the promise of a better future because of their gift and the work of the dedicated staff at the Institute. And, through it all, the Hicks' children learned about what makes a community so special – caring about others and helping in times of need.  

Would you like to help the children of the Institute? 
Visit our Ways to Give page to learn more!