Noel and Pam Klebaum
We Give Retiree Donation - Pension Plan Deduction
When invited to help form a new foundation that exclusively supported
Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), Santa Paula Hospital, and a large
network of local health care clinics, Noel Klebaum, a retired attorney
formerly with the County Counsel's Office, eagerly accepted the leadership
opportunity. Noel went on to serve for two terms as co-founder and board
member for Health Care Foundation for Ventura County (HCFVC). Noel and his
wife, Pam, find it personally gratifying to not only give through recurring
deductions from Noel's pension plan, but also to donate their valuable time
enhancing the lives of others. In fact, it was Noel who helped gain
approval for retirees to donate from their pensions as a simple and
meaningful way to supplement the VC health care system and ultimately
support the front-line heroes he so strongly believes in. Pam, sharing
Noel's passion for VCMC, feels that VCMC "should be everybody's first
choice."
Noel and Pam know first-hand the value in supporting HCFVC, as Noel
received exceptional medical care despite challenges presented by the COVID
pandemic. "VCMC was beyond capacity when I needed immediate medical
attention during the outbreak. I was safely treated in the hallway of the
emergency department and recovered fully due to the creative and caring
response of medical professionals. It truly is an honor to be an Ambassador
knowing I am not the only current or former employee with stories like
these to tell."
Pam, while volunteering as a mentor to 13-year-old Luis, recalls personally
caring for Luis and his family, who struggled with limited resources and
language barriers, when their son was diagnosed with an aggressive form of
lymphoma. Both Pam and Noel went into action to help secure financial
assistance for the family. To this day, they become emotional when relaying
the heroic efforts of Dr. Stuart Siegel and local county personnel, who
partnered with Children's Hospital Los Angeles, to airlift Luis so he could
receive urgently needed care to extend his precious life.
Noel and Pam believe that supporting HCFVC through a recurring pension
plan deduction is an easy and impactful way to champion the healthcare
system that benefits all
. "We feel it is the least we can do to say thank you while also making the
quality health care system we receive available to everyone."
