Pat Boschetto has supported The Children’s Inn on many levels and in many ways for more than a decade. From annual financial and in-kind donations, to naming The Children’s Inn as a beneficiary of her estate, Pat makes life for Inn residents just a little brighter.

“The Inn is such a special place and deserves support,” she says. “As long as I am able to contribute to The Inn, I will.”

Pat first learned about The Inn when her grandson, Tyler Boman, came to the NIH when he was nine months-old. Tyler, now 13, has Smith-Magenis Syndrome, a developmental disorder that affects many parts of his body. Since Tyler’s initial visits to The Inn more than ten years ago, Pat has stayed involved, not only by making annual financial donations, but also by sending hand-made gifts to be used in our Thoughtful Treasures mailbox program.

“Being at The Inn gives families a home-like atmosphere, rather than having to be confined in a hotel room. And since there is no charge to stay at The Inn, it relieves part of the financial burden associated with catastrophic illnesses and disabilities,” Pat says.

“When you have a child that has already been through so much, it is wonderful to have a place like The Inn that is so comfortable and homey. It’s truly a special place.” Pat says that the families at The Inn inspire her. She knows how difficult it can be to care for a sick or disabled child on a daily basis. “Everything is so hard, and a place like The Inn just makes it all a bit easier to handle.”

In addition to her annual support of The Inn, Pat is also a member of The Innkeeper’s Society, a special group of donors who have designated The Inn in their wills or estate plans.

“Knowing that my grandson benefitted from other people’s generosity, I feel that I need to thank them by providing support for future residents,” Pat says. “Providing a gift through my trust really is an easy way to support the two charities I care most about—The Inn and PRISMS, a Smith-Magenis Syndrome support group.”

The Inn is deeply grateful to Pat Boschetto for all that she has done for children and families at The Inn. From the hand-made Thoughtful Treasures to making The Inn a beneficiary of her estate, Pat is truly an important friend of The Inn.



Robert and Karen Turner have been generous supporters of The Children’s Inn at NIH for more than a decade, providing valuable contributions to The Inn’s Annual Fund.

It is through their generous gifts that The Children’s Inn is able to offer many programs, activities and services to children and families. Karen Turner began working at the National Institutes of Health in 1992 as an administrative officer for the National Institute on Aging, and, later at the National Cancer Institute. While working at the NIH Clinical Center, she became aware of the many children and families participating in clinical trials for the most severe, life-threatening medical conditions.

“I kept seeing these amazing children in the cafeteria or in the lobby,” Karen says. She wanted to do something to help and had read about The Children’s Inn, which recently had opened on the NIH campus. “So I began to make an annual contribution, and my husband got involved as well.” Robert Turner did his part by hosting two golf tournaments in the early 1990’s with his company, Hitachi Data Systems. All the proceeds from the tournaments were donated to The Children’s Inn, providing valuable support for The Inn’s burgeoning programs and activities.

The couple is now retired and lives in Clarksville, Maryland, but The Inn is close to their hearts. “The Children’s Inn is deeply grateful to Karen and Robert,” says Fern J. Stone, The Inn’s Director of Development. “We are grateful for their continued support and for all that they do to make “a place like home” possible for more than 1,400 families each year.”


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