Donation honors Donna O’Donnell’s retirement from her long nursing career (Dec. 22)
By: Lauren Burgoon
FREEHOLD During the courtship between Millstone couple Robert and Donna O’Donnell, the pair spent several dates pouring over poetry and memorizing verses. One they learned together is Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s famed "Sonnet 43," which begins with "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."
"Well, I’ve added ways," Ms. O’Donnell told her husband of 37 years and dozens of others gathered to witness the couple make the largest single gift to CentraState Medical Center in the hospital’s history.
Hospital officials are counting the ways all $1.5 million worth they love the O’Donnells after the couple bestowed their donation to the Freehold hospital on Dec. 14. The funds will be used to construct a 170,000-square-foot ambulatory campus that will house a fitness club, health awareness center, rehabilitation facility and private physician offices.
The donation honors Ms. O’Donnell, who recently retired from a long nursing career. In a mark of gratitude, CentraState officials renamed a hospital wing the Donna O’Donnell, R.N. Medical Arts Building. It is just the second building in New Jersey named after a nurse, CentraState officials said.
In a joyful and, at turns, tearful ceremony, the Perrineville Circle couple described why they chose to give such a large gift. Mr. O’Donnell, 59, grew up with a message of generosity, courtesy of his grandmother.
"My grandmother always said, ‘Whatever you give in life and give as much as you can you’ll get back tenfold,’" he said.
The O’Donnells found themselves in the position to give so much, thanks to luck, Mr. O’Donnell said. Some might argue that hard work played a role, too. Mr. O’Donnell is the former president and chief executive officer of Community Bank of New Jersey. He sits on CentraState’s Board of Trustees and will take over the chairmanship next month.
"I want to recognize my wife because I’m able to give back to the community, thanks to the support she has given me over the years," he said at the ceremony.
Just how much Mr. O’Donnell would recognize his wife and her profession was a surprise even to Ms. O’Donnell. Though the couple had discussed giving the $1.5 million for a year, she learned only months ago that a building would be rededicated in her name.
CentraState executives said renaming the building for Ms. O’Donnell did not show the depth of their gratitude. The size of the gift is unprecedented and "even more inspirational is the source of the gift. It doesn’t come from a large company or corporation, but from a family," CentraState CEO and President John Gribbin said.
"This truly is a wonderful day for CentraState," former trustee Vincent Maltese added. "It marks yet another mile on the journey to the place we call renown."
The O’Donnells have called Millstone home for 11 years and raised two sons, Rogan and Brendan, in town. The sons, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren all live in Millstone.

