Mike and Beckie Techtmann

Inspired by Family

After relocating several times for professional opportunities, Mike and Beckie Techtmann felt a strong pull to return to Bucks County and be nearer to family and friends. Making the Doylestown area home again “felt really nice, after years of traveling 12 hours back and forth with a toddler,” said Beckie.

As the Techtmanns settled back in Doylestown, they began building new traditions. “Beckie and I always wanted to give back when, and if, we were fortunate enough,” said Mike. While on vacation in October of 2016, “we decided that this was the year to host a holiday party with the theme of giving back,” Beckie recalled. With Beckie’s background in early childhood and special education, “our focus was supporting families and children.” Nearly 100 guests contributed items to support a local nonprofit, and “our cars were absolutely stuffed with needed items and gifts,” said Beckie.

The holiday party tradition “stems from my childhood,” shared Mike. As a young child in Levittown, Pennsylvania, Mike’s family hosted an annual Christmas Eve party. “As a little kid I remember coming downstairs to plead with my parents and their friends to be quiet because I was worried Santa wouldn’t come,” he recalled. When Mike was eight-years old, his father lost the use of his hand in a tragic workplace accident. “He wasn’t able to return to work for the rest of his life,” said Mike. “It was a very challenging time for our family.”

A week before Christmas that year, Mike answered a knock at the front door. “A group of people brought presents for me and my sisters—gifts from our Christmas lists. I still remember exactly what I got,” he said. “We were too young to grasp the situation, but essentially we were one of the families on a church giving tree with needs and wishes to be filled.” As the years passed, “my father and I talked about when and if we were ever in the position to give back that we would,” said Mike.

During the holiday season, Mike and Beckie Techtmann host a party with a purpose: raising funds to provide enhancements to patient care at Doylestown Hospital. Since 2018, the Techtmanns, along with family and friends, have raised more than $26,000 to support the VIA Maternity Center and Della Penna Pediatrics.

In 2018, the Techtmanns approached Doylestown Hospital in the hopes that their guests’ growing enthusiasm and increasing generosity could make a bigger impact. “Our son Matthew was born at Doylestown Hospital and our entire family has received great care,” said Mike. Beckie recalled an Emergency Department visit with their daughter, Grace, to be “as positive as items,” said Beckie. Kathy Donahue, RN, worked with the Techtmanns early on to facilitate purchasing items for pediatric patients and gift cards for moms in need. “Their donations have impacted a lot of families,” she said. “It makes it personal when our staff can share that items have been donated by a local family.”

According to Carol Chwal, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Director of Maternal/Child Services, “we strive to provide the most up-to-date advancements in a comforting environment. The Techtmanns and their friends are incredibly thoughtful. Most recently we’ve been able to buy a state-of-the-art Labor & Delivery bed and new sleeper recliner chairs for the VIA Maternity Center with their donations,” she continued. “When our youngest was born, I spent a night in a partner chair in the hospital and it was uncomfortable,” said Mike. “We thought it was great idea to purchase something that could improve the overall experience for partners of moms in labor.”

“Beckie and Mike have created a beautiful tradition of generosity, and it’s been a real pleasure to partner with them to make their giving priorities a reality,” said Laura Wortman, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer for Doylestown Health. “We are privileged to have their trust and support, and it’s our goal to make it as easy as possible so that the patients and families we serve can benefit from their generosity.”

This year, 100% of funds from the Techtmann’s party will be designated to purchase a new Behavioral Health Patient Bed for one of the new Crisis Isolation Rooms in Doylestown Health’s Emergency Department. These beds safely and securely support patients experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Ultimately, Mike and Beckie know that their event was a success when guests step up in support of Doylestown Hospital. According to Beckie, “We want to make it easy for our friends and family to have fun and feel connected to the organization we are supporting. Doylestown Health Foundation has helped us do that.”

“It’s not about how much you can give,” said Mike. “The important thing is that when we come together, we can make an even bigger difference for families in our community.”

To learn more about hosting a fundraiser to support Doylestown Health, please contact development@dh.org.

Fill Our Bucket

A person who shows kindness and does something special for someone else is known as a “bucket filler.” Doylestown Health invites bucket fillers of all ages to continue to join in supporting the needs of Children’s Village as they become established in their new home. Everything from art supplies to additional classroom seating to library books is still needed to enhance learning needs.

Naming opportunities are also available at a number of gift levels.

To learn more, please visit: doylestownhealthfoundation.org/bucket

Article appears in the 2024 Philanthropy Report

To learn more about the One Vision Campaign and to make a gift to support expanding programs, please visit:
DoylestownHealthFoundation.org/Donate

About Doylestown Health Foundation

As the philanthropic arm of Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, the Doylestown Health Foundation raises funds to safeguard the future of excellence in patient care and to improve the quality of life for all members of our Central Bucks County community and beyond.