“Family first” is a core value at Avon Lake, Ohio-based Hinkley, which has been owned by the Wiedemers for four generations. That tenet holds true for the lighting manufacturer’s “work family” as well. When Hinkley’s Product Designer Megan Rollinson’s family discovered in 2019 that their son, Fletcher, had an extremely rare brain tumor, the entire company jumped into action.
To support Fletcher’s fight and the Rollinson family when they entered treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Hinkley’s leadership team and employees became advocates and warriors for Fletcher’s Army, raising funds for the research hospital and rallying around Fletcher to keep his spirits up.
Today, Hinkley is proud to announce its continued support through new initiatives that raise funds and awareness for St. Jude and its life-saving research programs. Every time a customer purchases a design from the company’s popular Fletcher Collection – named after Rollinson – 3 percent of the proceeds will go directly to St. Jude. In addition, when shopping on HinkleyOutlet.com, Hinkley will donate 20 percent of those purchases to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the remainder of 2021.
“Like everyone at Hinkley, I have been so inspired by Fletcher’s strength and perseverance. As a father, husband, and colleague, it’s important for us to create opportunities to give back to a cause that is near and dear to Megan and her family,” says Hinkley President Jess Wiedemer. “Fletcher’s a vibrant, joyful kid, and it’s an honor to know him and have a collection and charitable program in his namesake to help other children and their families.”
St. Jude’s mission is to find cures for children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago.
“St. Jude worked tirelessly to save Fletcher’s life and treat his cancer. Everyone we came across at St. Jude showed him such kindness,” states Megan, who added that 13-year-old Fletcher is finished with treatment of an extremely rare brain cancer called a pineal parenchymal tumor of intermediate differentiation (PPTID). “The Hinkley team allowed us to put our family first throughout this entire journey, and I am excited to be part of this new fundraising endeavor — personally and professionally.”
Megan and Fletcher recently traveled to Memphis for his one-year checkup during which the family learned that all scans were clear. After going through this experience, Fletcher is already focused on how he can make a difference in the fight against pediatric cancer and plans to focus on science throughout his academic career.
“Committed partners like Hinkley are making a difference in the lives of St. Jude families every day,” notes Richard C. Shadyac Jr., President & CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Through this partnership, Hinkley offers customers opportunities to continue doing what they love – designing, updating, or creating homes with beautiful lighting and ceiling fan designs – for a purpose.”
