Marklund Receives $540,000—Largest-Ever Gift to Support Aquatic Therapy

Marklund, a not-for-profit agency serving adults and children with profound developmental disabilities and special healthcare needs, received a pledge of
$540,000 from the Foglia Family Foundation, making it the largest individual gift ever received in Marklund's  57-year history. The pledge will extend over a three-year period and will support its aquatic therapy program.

“This generous gift will help us greatly expand our aquatic therapy program giving those we serve almost three times more therapy time in the pool than we currently can fund,” said Gilbert Fonger, president and CEO of Marklund. “With this substantial gift, we plan to get the expanded program up and running by January of 2012.”

The indoor aquatic therapy pool is located on Marklund’s 20-acre Geneva campus. As Fonger explained, aquatic therapy is offered to clients as an additional service provided by Marklund, supported only by private donations, as it is not among the services reimbursed by state funding.

A lack of funding restricted the organization’s ability to provide this type of
therapy. Once the program is operational, Marklund will partner with a major university to document the positive effects of aquatic therapy on those with developmental disabilities.

“An aquatic therapy program this extensive is rare, and we are very excited about what this is going to do for our clients and for how the research will benefit all those individuals with developmental disabilities,” Fonger added.

Since 1994, Patricia and Vincent Foglia of the Foglia Family Foundation have contributed millions of dollars to nearly 30 organizations that serve under-privileged families and children, as well as medical facilities and educational institutions in Illinois.

“We believe in Marklund’s ability to provide exceptional care for people with
developmental disabilities and are pleased to support the growth of this specialized therapy program,” stated Vincent Foglia.

Marklund’s mission is to enrich the lives of those with special healthcare needs by honoring the unique purpose of each individual. Those served by Marklund are able to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing environment, a strong partnership with the community and an unmatched dedication to personal growth. Marklund annually serves nearly 200 families throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

It has locations in Geneva and Bloomingdale, as well as a resale shop in Wood Dale. For information, visit its website at www.Marklund.org.