Trial Magazine

When attorney and AAJ member Jon Perry’s son—then a toddler—was admitted to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for cancer treatment, he noticed many other children in the oncology wing were alone and seemed frightened. Jon and his wife, Joni, felt lucky to be able to take time off work and stay with their son during his chemotherapy treatment. However, they learned that the parents of so many of the children admitted did not have this luxury. And when their son was discharged, they attributed his amazing response to chemotherapy treatment, in part, to them being at his bedside throughout his hospital stay.

Shortly after their son’s discharge, the Perrys formed “Pennies From Heaven” to provide the means for other parents to stay with their hospitalized children. Donations range from overnight toiletry bags and brown-bag lunches to monetary assistance for lost wages for parents who lack sick and vacation days and are not covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act. The nonprofit also helps with families’ transportation costs, mortgage payments, sibling care, and more.

“Pennies From Heaven” connects with families in need through social workers at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Jon explained that social workers have $50 on hand at any given time to provide to a family in immediate need and can provide up to $500 to families with the head social worker’s approval. Jon and Joni coordinate with the hospital’s social worker team on any larger requests.

The charity was initially organized under the UPMC Children’s Hospital Foundation, which allowed the Perrys to begin raising and donating money right away. The Perrys soon formed their own 501(c)(3), which has raised over $3 million and made donations to over 900,000 families. The Perrys pride themselves on the fact that “every penny donated goes to a family in need.”

“Pennies From Heaven” holds several events annually to raise funds, including a charity golf event and the “Pennies Pedal” bike race. Its largest event, said Jon, is Oktoberfest, where attendees can enjoy food and drinks and bid on items at a live auction. Last year’s Oktoberfest raised over $120,000.

While the Perrys don’t receive a lot of details from those they help due to HIPAA privacy rules, Jon shared one story about helping his son’s friend, who—though diagnosed with terminal cancer—wanted nothing more than to go to his prom and ride in a Hummer. Jon picked up the friend and his date himself and transported them to the dance in a Hummer, and then insisted his parents accept funds necessary to take leave and stay by their son’s bedside in his last days.

Jon said his son being sick brought the needs of families of hospitalized kids to the forefront for him. “Bad things aren’t supposed to happen to kids, but they do,” he said. Jon was presented with the 2023 Trial Lawyers Care Award in July at AAJ’s Annual Convention.

Jon Perry is a partner at Rosen & Perry in Pittsburgh and can be reached at jperry@caringlawyers.com. Maureen Leddy is an associate editor for Trial.