Mary Ranken Jordan Service to Children Award Winners: Edward & Carol Costigan, Jr. & Family and The Guth Foundation Charitable Trust

Partnership Built on Trust, Service and Belief

For many foundations, the relationship with the organizations they support begins with paperwork. Grant applications, reports and funding requests create a professional partnership rooted in stewardship and accountability. Yet the strongest philanthropic relationships often grow beyond the paper, becoming rooted in personal connection, shared values and a deep belief in a mission.

That was certainly the case for Ed Costigan and the Guth Foundation Charitable Trust. What began as a funding relationship evolved into a lasting partnership that has helped shape the future of Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital and continues today through the generosity of the Costigan family.

For their extraordinary commitment to children and families, the Guth Foundation Charitable Trust and the Edward J. Costigan Family are being honored with the Mary Ranken Jordan Service to Children Award. The award recognizes individuals and organizations who selflessly serve Ranken Jordan and the St. Louis community and who exemplify the vision established by our founder, Mary Ranken Jordan.

A Family Tradition of Giving

For the Costigan family, philanthropy was never viewed as something extraordinary. It was simply part of everyday life.

Supporting schools, churches and community organizations was woven naturally into family life. Giving was not something discussed at length. It was quietly demonstrated through action.

“Ed believed helping others was just what you were supposed to do,” his family recalls. That same spirit of service influenced every part of the family’s life, from volunteerism to charitable giving.

His wife, Carol Costigan, and daughter, Katie Heyel, even dedicated time to training therapy dogs that visited schools and cancer centers throughout the St. Louis region. In fact, one of those visits led Carol to her first introduction to Ranken Jordan, when she accompanied a friend and her therapy dog to the hospital.

From Funder to Champion

Since 2003, the Guth Foundation Charitable Trust has invested in education, children’s services and human services organizations throughout the region. Under the leadership of trustees Ed Costigan and his sister, Sally Coleman, Ranken Jordan became one of the foundation’s valued partners supporting annual operations, campaigns and major initiatives.

Over the years, the foundation’s investment grew alongside the hospital.

A landmark $1 million gift helped support Ranken Jordan’s expansion project, reinforcing the foundation’s confidence in the hospital’s vision and future. As the capital campaign ended, the Guth Charitable Foundation began investing in equipment that the hospital needed including specialized hospital beds, cough assist machines, smart lifts and wheelchairs.

As the years passed, Ed became increasingly engaged with the work happening inside the hospital. He visited often to see how foundation-funded equipment and technology were being used and to witness firsthand how children benefited from those investments.

Those visits made a deep impact on him.

What began as oversight and stewardship evolved into genuine passion for the mission. Ed developed a deep appreciation for the creativity, innovation and determination he saw throughout the hospital.

“He became an ambassador for Ranken Jordan,” his family says. “He loved children. And he loved being able to help them.  He was excited about sharing what was happening here and the difference it was making for children.”

The Patient Who Captured His Heart

One encounter in particular left a lasting impression.

During a visit to observe the Bioness Integrated Therapy System (BITS), a piece of foundation-funded technology, Ed met a young patient named Loralei. The interactive therapy system allows physical, occupational and speech therapists to personalize activities and games that help children achieve therapeutic goals. The technology had been made possible through support from the Guth Foundation Charitable Trust.

Loralei, who was born with spina bifida, had been receiving outpatient therapy at Ranken Jordan since infancy. When Ed observed her therapy session, he was immediately struck by her enthusiasm, determination and confidence.

At the end of the session, he offered her $20 and asked what she planned to do with it.

“I’m putting it toward my college fund,” she replied.

The answer delighted him.

Having spent six decades in the finance industry, Ed understood the value of planning ahead and investing in the future. He was amazed to hear such a thoughtful response from a young child.

Ed never forgot that moment. Here was a young girl who had faced significant challenges yet remained completely focused on her future. He soon found himself sharing Loralei’s story whenever he talked about Ranken Jordan and the impact the hospital was making in children’s lives.

Carrying Forward a Legacy

When Ed Costigan passed away in September 2024, his family wanted to honor both his life and his passion for helping children.

His wife, Carol, and daughters, Sara McLellan, Katie Heyel, and Carrie Bean reached out to Ranken Jordan to explore meaningful ways to continue his legacy. Ed had included a bequest for Ranken Jordan in his estate plan and memorial gifts made in Ed’s honor would provide the foundation for a new idea that was taking shape within the hospital’s outpatient therapy program.

Erica Pfeiffer, Outpatient Therapy Manager, envisioned an outpatient camp experience that would combine therapeutic goals with fun, social engagement. Sessions would include options like dance and movement, adaptive gaming, AAC (augmentative alternative communication) devices, and aquatics.

The idea resonated immediately with the Costigan family.

With support from gifts made in Ed’s memory, Adventure ReimaginED became a reality.

The camp brings together children with complex medical needs and their siblings for therapy-based activities, social programming and recreational experiences designed to promote growth, confidence and connection. What began as a single camp experience has grown into two sessions each year, with both winter and summer camps providing opportunities for children and families to learn, connect and thrive. Since its launch, families have reported meaningful progress and overwhelmingly positive experiences.

Sara has had the opportunity to visit Ranken Jordan when camp is in session.   She even had the opportunity to watch Loralei, the patient that made such an impression on Ed, perform with the dance camp.  “Seeing the happy kids, the costumes, it just made me think of camp stories and how it was a perfect way to remember Dad,” Sara says. “He loved camp. He loved children, and he loved seeing them have fun. Watching those kids enjoy themselves would have made him so happy.”

The family’s commitment did not end with the launch of Adventure ReimaginED. Carol continues to support the camp through an annual gift and has also included Ranken Jordan in her estate plans, helping ensure that future generations of children and families will benefit from innovative programs like Adventure ReimaginED. Through her ongoing generosity and legacy commitment, the opportunities created in Ed’s memory will continue to have a lasting impact for years to come.

Inspiring Others Through Service

The Guth Foundation Charitable Trust and the Costigan family exemplify the spirit of the Mary Ranken Jordan Service to Children Award. Their generosity has provided critical resources, innovative technology, therapeutic opportunities and lasting support for children with complex medical needs. More importantly, they have demonstrated how philanthropy can evolve from financial support into a deeply personal commitment to changing lives.

Through the Guth Foundation’s partnership, Ed’s enthusiastic advocacy and the Costigan family’s commitment to carrying forward his vision, children and families will continue to experience the opportunities, joy and possibilities that meant so much to him.