Update about a very special lady: 7/2025
This year, something unusual happened that we want to share with you. An amazing woman named Carolyn Collins, who dedicated her life to the nursing profession, passed away and donated a very large sum of money to the Perna Rose Foundation. We had never met or heard of her but she knew of our foundation and, we are told by talking to her close friends, that she was drawn to our four causes: Food/Clothing/Shelter/Health, Education, Women in Business and Animal Welfare.
What were we to do with these funds? Clearly we wanted to honor her memory and establish a legacy on her behalf. So, we established an endowed scholarship at the College of the Albemarle, an organization that we have worked with for many years. The scholarship aims to support students pursuing careers in nursing, reflecting Carolyn’s passion for patient care and her “quiet hero” legacy by assisting aspiring nurses who demonstrate compassion, dedication, and a desire to serve their communities. What a kind and caring woman. May she rest in peace.
Welcome!
The Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope was created by Janet Perna and Melanie Rose, both retired IBM executives.
Janet, having come from a middle income family in NY State and graduating from a NY state college, she went on to enjoy a highly successful career in the corporate world. This Foundation is one of the ways she is "giving back" to the community.
Melanie wanted to find a way upon retirement to give back in thanks for her fulfilling career and experience at IBM. Participating in the funding for this foundation helped her achieve this goal.
The purpose of the foundation is to provide funding to domestic and international organizations which:
- Help people attain or regain self-sufficiency by providing education, food/clothing/shelter and supporting micro-businesses
- Support initiatives in animal welfare
The foundation assists organizations committed to improving communities in a sustainable way.
As of June, 2025, the Perna-Rose Foundation for Hope has donated $2,925,246 to deserving non-profits.
