from rocking babies in Dallas to breaking philanthropic records in Plano
LONGTIME CHILDREN’S HEALTH℠ SUPPORTERS, CHRISTINA AND RUDY ANDREA, HOPE THE LEGACY THEY’VE BUILT WILL INSPIRE FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
Christina and Rudy Andrea’s dedication to philanthropy can be traced back a couple of generations. Their commitment is one they hope will continue running in their family — and beyond — for posterity.
“My family never lost sight that you've got to give back to your world, making it a better place than it was before you got here,” Christina said. “Give what you got. Give an hour. Give a dollar. Just give. It feels really good to give.”
For nearly 30 years, the couple, of the Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation, has generously extended its support to Children’s Health — and their ties to the hospital system run deep.
Last year, the Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation gifted $5 million in support of the Children's Medical Center Plano expansion. The gift is one of the top five donations ever received by a nonprofit in Collin County, and the second largest gift received for the Plano hospital.
In recognition of the gift, the Plano hospital’s existing atrium will be named the “Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation Atrium” as part of the refresh of the existing atrium lobby, marking a culminating moment in their journey of giving.
“Kids today should have the opportunity to get the best health care in the world,” Rudy said. “Children's Health provides that, but they need help. They need support. We want to continue that momentum.”
The new 395,000-square-foot patient tower, which opened last December, more than doubles the size of the Plano hospital, expanding the health care system’s specialized care for the rapidly growing pediatric population north of Dallas. The new tower boasts:
140 new inpatient beds — all universal and ICU-capable
strengthened specialty services and programs
an ED doubling in size, with resources critical to building a Level II trauma center
“I'm very proud of the fact that we've been able to watch this amazing hospital spread out to all of North Texas,” Christina said.
As longtime supporters of Children’s Health, the couple has not only contributed to the hospital system’s growth and expansion, but also offered a hand to help personally.
Christina first got involved as a volunteer at Children’s Medical Center Dallas in the ‘90s. She lovingly recalls rocking babies, comforting parents and helping nurses take care of sick children.
“This was such an inspirational time of my life because these parents, nurses and doctors are under so much stress,” Christina said.
Gently soothing babies until they stopped crying and offering a hand to the hospital’s team members fulfilled her, but observing the life-changing care families received at Children’s Health fueled her desire to have an even bigger impact.
In 2000, Christina, invigorated by her experiences as a volunteer, approached Rudy with an idea to start a family foundation.
Rudy had little to no experience with charitable organizations, but he knew they made a great team, so he wasn’t worried. With Rudy’s background in finance and business and Christina’s charitable and caring spirit, he knew the two would be unstoppable.
“We complement each other,” Rudy said.
Today, they both look back at the Andrea-Mennen Family Foundation’s 25-year-long history with pride. The foundation — which focuses on education, health care and the performing arts — also supports the Kathy Chamberlain Ballet School in Plano and the Plano Symphony Orchestra, along with an endowment for Collin College.
Christina and Rudy hope the legacy they’ve built is one their children can look up to and follow as an example to ardently give back to the community.
They also hope to inspire others across North Texas.
“Not one single person can do it all. It’s a group effort. It's a collaboration of giving back,” Rudy said.