The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO) is closer to reaching its $25 million goal for the Legacy of Hope endowment fund thanks to the contribution of $1.5 million from Charlie and Mary Beth O’Reilly. This donation, announced last week at the Hilton Garden Inn, was given in addition to a prior gift of $1.35 million from the O’Reilly’s.
Mary Beth O’Reilly founded the BCFO in 2000. Her goal was to make a positive change in the lives of local families who had been touched by breast cancer, according to a news release from BCFO.
“We have lived and worked in the region for many years and wanted to give back to a community we love in a way that best helps BCFO’s mission well into the future,” said Mary Beth O’Reilly. “We hope this gift will initiate others to help bring BCFO to a position of sustainability for future generations.”
Dan Cobb, Committee Chairman of the Legacy of Hope Society, has worked in tandem with the O’Reilly’s and other Legacy of Hope members in order to reach their 2020 goal of $25 million, “Over the past 15 years, Charlie and Mary Beth have generously supported BCFO’s endowment by contributing a total of $2.85 million.” With the gift from the O’Reilly’s, the endowment balance sits at $13.1 million.
“Charlie and Mary Beth are committed to our community and understand the importance of creating sustainable hope for local breast cancer families,” said Crystal Webster, Executive Director of BCFO. “Their generosity allows families struggling with the financial impact of being diagnosed with breast cancer the ability to focus on their recovery.”
Since their founding, BCFO has provided support to over 1,800 families changed by breast cancer by giving necessary financial assistance. The organization delivers this help by paying for utilities, rent/mortgage, car repairs, gas cards, and car payments in addition to many other struggles the families could be facing.
The BCFO organization is a local 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization working to provide aid and hope to those in our community who have been affected by breast cancer. For more information about BCFO, please contact (417) 862-3838 or visit their website at bcfo.org
To learn more or donate to the BCFO legacy of Hope endowment, contact Crystal Webster at (417) 862-3838 or crystal@bcfo.org.