Celebrating Milestones
From a 1991 vision of support groups meeting in a Victorian cottage to today’s reality of a full-service, comprehensive, award winning, community-based cancer support and resource center, Ann’s Place has emerged as a vital community asset.
The Very Beginning…
Ann Olsen's fight to survive and help other cancer patients inspires a vision.
She dies at 38 in 1987.
Ron Olsen married Ann Kinnaman, a North Carolina native, in 1978 and they settled in New Fairfield, CT, hoping to raise a family. That did not come to pass, as Ann developed acute myelogenous leukemia and died in March 1987. Ann’s courage in fighting cancer inspired Ronald to establish The Ann Olsen Endowment as a 501 (C)(3) non-profit in 1987 with a mission to support local families coping with cancer. Many friends and colleagues from Ann’s former company, Boehringer Ingelheim, join Ron’s efforts.
Ron Olsen founded the Ann Olsen Endowment in 1987 after the passing of his wife.
April 1991
I Can, Inc. forms a Board of Directors and incorporates as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit in order to provide free counseling and support to families facing cancer. Mary Burke and Dr. Patricia Bragdon are Founders. Dr. Robert Cooper of Danbury Internal Medicine Associates, Danbury Counseling Center and The Ann Olsen Endowment (AOE) are early benefactors. Fifty patients are served in the first year.
1995
Our name is updated to Ann’s Place, The Home of I Can to reflect the shared vision of I Can Founders and AOE Founder Ron Olsen of a welcoming haven for cancer patients.
I Can Founders, Dr. Pat Bragdon & Mary Burke at 1995 Winter Wonderland Tour of Homes
Proceeds of the 6 year-old annual Ann Olsen Greater Danbury Golf Classic will now be directed to that goal. The agency moves into Danbury’s Peacock Alley on North Street. Volunteers create the Ladies Golf Classic at Richter Park the following year
1997
Benefactor Nancy Dolan facilitates the gifts of a half-acre land parcel from New Milford Bank & Trust and the City of Danbury. Plans for a permanent home begin. Within a few years, agency growth outstrips the size of the proposed site. The search continues.
1998 - 2001
Services grow with the addition of a men’s prostate cancer group, a children’s program, and wellness services. I Can and AOE merge into one in 2000, as client count grows from 200 to 340 served per month. Space becomes a critical issue as the Hope in Action Capital Campaign under Chair David Nurnberger is launched in 2001.
2003
Ann’s Place relocates to larger Newtown Road offices. The client count rises to 450. Festival of Trees is created to help fund the no fee support groups and counseling.
Eleven years of fundraising and 5 years of donated construction yields a facility uniquely tailored to serve the needs of the cancer community. Touring our home and grounds reveals the special spirit created by legions of volunteers, compassionate professionals, generous donors and vibrant survivors.
2004
A stunning donation of 4 acres on Saw Mill Road from the Woodlands II Group (Tony Lucera, Richard Kral & Glenn Tatangelo) re-starts site plans. DCA Architects donate a building plan to anticipate future growth.
2006
The Robert Santore library is a source of information and inspiration.
Ann’s Place moves into large donated space owned by Dow Chemical. It changes hands and the Matrix Realty Group becomes our generous benefactor. Our services expand.
The Building Committee under General Chair and Board Chair Paul Dinto kicks off site preparation. An unprecedented coalition of contractors and union leaders in the construction trades industry steps up to donate materials, labor and services.
The Phyllis & Charlie Speidel Daffodil section of the Marian & Hans Kretsch Gardens offers a respite from the concerns of cancer.
2008
Just as we go under roof, the economy tanks. Local companies & volunteers fill gaps and keep the dream alive in the downturn as the donor trades are all hit.
2011
Thanks to bi-partisan efforts, the State awards Ann’s Place a grant to complete sewer installation. This special home is completed in December 2011. Services open at 80 Saw Mill Road in January 2012.
2013
Wilda Hayes retires after sixteen years as the pro-bono President and CEO. She was the driving force behind the vision and plan for building our new home, keeping services running strong during construction years, and starting up our largest fundraiser, the Festival of Trees…among many other accomplishments too long to list here.
2012-2019
The new beautiful location proves a powerful draw to new clients and Ann’s Place sees a 14% growth each year after it opens the doors. Programs quickly expand to include over 36 pro-bono facilitators and 14 staff. Volunteers helping with fundraising events grow from 300 to over 900 annually.
2019
Through the years, many donors have reached a $100K lifetime giving recognition. This prestigious accomplishment is given the name The David & Nancy Nurnberger Benefactors Society for the couple’s many years of service to Ann’s Place.
2020
To honor 19 years of service to Ann’s Place, we name The Su Murdock Financial Aid Fund which reflects the caring and giving heart of Su in her work as Clinical Director and into retirement.
In March of 2020, due to the pandemic, all services are moved online to keep everyone safe. Counseling, support groups and wellness programs are adapted to meet the needs of our clients at this critical time.
2021-2022
All services are offered in person and online which has allowed Ann’s Place to expand into homes farther away and made it easier for clients to attend meetings when they do not feel well. A pipe bursts in spring of 2022, destroyed walls, floors and ceiling in two thirds of the building and a capital campaign begins for improvements not covered by insurance.
Today
The full array of no-fee support and educational services only made possible by donors and offered by a professional oncology social work, counseling and wellness staff is unmatched in the region. Ann’s Place serves between 800 - 1,300 people in Connecticut and lower Hudson Valley each year.
Ann’s Place collaborates with the Nuvance Health, tri-state cancer facilities, Regional Hospice, American Cancer Society, Connecticut Institute for Communities, LEAD, service clubs and many community and corporate partners.
Thousands of cancer survivors and their loved ones credit Ann’s Place with giving them a life-enriching experience in their darkest hours over the last three decades.