Giving Is Its Own Beauty
to health care.
From watching the hospital’s iconic palm trees being planted to Meg participating in fundraising as a Bob Hope Desert Classic Girl in the famed golf tournament, the Firestones have enjoyed a front-row seat to Eisenhower Health’s growth from the beginning.
“I remember attending Eisenhower’s 1971 dedication ceremony with my parents,” says
Meg. “We were in the audience.”
The hospital officially opened to patients in December 1971. Not long after, Meg’s father, Neil McElrath, was referred to Eisenhower’s Philip Shaver, MD, for a heart condition while the family was on vacation in Palm Desert. Meg’s father fell in love with the area, prompting the family to move from Orange County full time. They opened their company’s first store in the Coachella Valley in 1972, Neil’s Apparel, on El Paseo - long before it became the premier shopping destination it is today.
Better still, Meg and David were introduced on a blind date shortly after the family opened Neil’s Apparel. The two married at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert the following year. More than 50 years later, the couple is creating a legacy for the future with a $1 million irrevocable gift to Eisenhower.
“We made this gift to benefit our community,” David says. “It made sense for us to donate. We believe in Eisenhower and everything it does.”
The couple’s gift is a bequest from their estate, an option that enables the use of the money while they are still alive.
“Our biggest factor in deciding on a bequest was not having to donate before we both pass away,” David says.
The Firestones’ gift includes the choice of a 24/7 Recognition membership, which Meg and David eagerly joined.
“We are happy to be 24/7 members because we love Eisenhower,” explains Meg.
Further, the contribution qualifies for Eisenhower’s Legacy Challenge matching funds program - supporting the hospital’s Passion for Excellence campaign - that increases the couple’s philanthropic gift by $100,000.
Small Beginnings, Large Impact
The Firestones opened J. Russell, The Salon in 1984 with six hair stylist stations. Named after Meg’s first artistic director, The Salon later expanded to 52 stations. Partners in life and business, Meg managed the salon while David handled the financials.
Along came COVID-19, changing in-person businesses across the country.
Meg and David closed the salon after 37 years
on January 1, 2021.
Instead of withdrawing from the industry altogether, Meg pivoted the business to an online platform - a personal concierge that curates the area’s top professionals for hair, makeup and skincare, with whom she had forged important relationships. Meg also opened a specialty beauty salon for hair and
nails at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, which she manages.
Meg and David continue to be immensely involved in the community. From Fashion Week El Paseo, a collaboration in which Meg is in her 20th year, to Desert Bicycle Club, which David founded years ago with fellow bicyclist Peter St. Louis, MD, the Firestones stay active doing what they do best: contributing. Dr. Shaver joined as an early participant in the bicycle club, which now has some 200 members.
They’ve been blessed with good health, something Meg attributes to years of care from their Eisenhower doctors.
“They keep us healthy,” she says. “We know Eisenhower will give us the best care in the Coachella Valley.”
If you are interested in or have questions about making a gift to Eisenhower Health, please call 760.773.2967 or email PlannedGiving@EisenhowerHealth.org.EisenhowerHealth.org.
