“Philanthropy is in our blood,” says Bill Allyn, retired President and CEO of Welch-Allyn. “It was one of my father’s core values, and continues to be a guiding principle, not only for Welch-Allyn and of course, the Allyn Foundation, but it is important personally for our family as well, and especially now for the younger members of our family – the fifth generation.”
His father, the late W.G. Allyn, established the first employee pension program in New York state for Welch-Allyn employees, and spent many Saturdays providing free eye exams to employees and their families. His trademark phrase, “Be always kind and true,” remains central to Welch Allyn’s corporate culture, and to the work of the Allyn Foundation, which he founded in 1954 and to which he left his $23 million estate in 2006.
The Allyn family tradition of giving was highlighted in the November 2008 issue of Central New York magazine, an issue dedicated to philanthropy. Executive Director Meg O’Connell says, “The Allyn Foundation provides a way for succeeding generations of the family to not only learn about philanthropy and volunteerism, but to understand how to practice effective philanthropy.”
This family legacy has had a big impact on Onondaga Community College. Between personal, corporate, and Foundation gifts, the Allyns have collectively given gifts totaling more than $600,000 to Onondaga Community College over the last 15 years. “The Allyns have had a tremendous impact on Onondaga Community College,” said Onondaga Community College President Debbie L. Sydow, Ph.D., “Not only are they very generous donors, but they are truly community leaders who give significantly of their time as well.”
Bill Allyn serves as Honorary Chair for the Reach Beyond campaign, the second time that he has served as the lead volunteer for fundraising at Onondaga. He chaired the College’s first campaign in the 1990s, which raised $3 million toward the Whitney Applied Technology Center. “I really believe in what they are doing at Onondaga, and Debbie Sydow has a great vision for the school. Look what they’ve accomplished already, with 11,000 students, residence halls, and athletics. This campaign will help them achieve their next transformation,” says Allyn. Daughter in-law Meg O’Connell also serves on the College Board of Trustees and as a campaign volunteer. “The Allyn Foundation is very committed to expanding access to education, especially for low-income students and students who come from groups traditionally under represented in higher education,” says O’Connell. “Onondaga Community College is all about access and success for all members of our community, and that’s why we are so involved at OCC.”