As a nurse at Mercy Health — Lorain Hospital, Mara Barnes spent her career caring for others. After retiring in 2022, she’s continued that mission by giving to the Mercy Health Foundation.

“One of the first principles I’ve learned is you don’t give because you want to receive, although you will. You give because you already have,” she says. “I’m trying to teach my kids and grandkids the same thing. When you do that, you get so much joy.”

Mara gives to the Greatest Needs Fund to make sure the immediate needs of her community are being met.

“When things happen in life that are unexpected and overwhelming, it’s just one way that we can help someone,” Mara says. “We don’t even have to know who they are. If that should ever happen to anybody in my family, I trust that help would be there. I always encourage people to give. You’re always richer when you’re giving.”