What is now a rapidly growing international effort began in 1997 as a deep personal commitment of Dr. Charles Dietzen (better known as Dr. Chuck) to assist the medically underserved children he met while conducting medical missions in Haiti and India. Named after his brother, Timmy, the Foundation’s work is dedicated as a living legacy to all of Dr. Chuck’s pediatric hospice patients.

    Since its humble beginnings, the Foundation has served thousands of children, and the communities in which they live, in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. We achieve our mission through collaborative partnerships that provide healthcare and deliver relevant medical and educational resources. Our work does not duplicate the efforts of other individuals and organizations; but rather, we support these by matching our resources to their needs.

    Though our aspirations are great, our operation is lean. Our success relies on the generosity, creativity, charisma, and passion of our volunteers. We lead our volunteers to serve the needs of children within their community and in developing countries.

    While working in India in 1997, Dr. Chuck had the great blessing of meeting Mother Teresa. She stressed the importance of giving hope to the people we could not cure. “We can do no great things, only simple things with great love.” We invite you to be a part of our efforts to extend this philosophy by reaching out to those in need. Help us to provide services, that are small to us, but mean the world to others. Join our volunteer family and experience the heartfelt joy and love that comes from serving others.

    With time and effort the Timmy Foundation experienced tremendous growth. Initially, two adventurous young men, John Dionisios Aliprantis and Aaron Remenschneider, began traveling with Dr. Chuck on some of his trips, where they were so inspired that they struck upon the idea of organizing a trip through Indiana University. Timmy and the IU student population showed avid interest, and preparation began. During Spring Break 2002, IU sent 25 students and several medical professionals to Honduras. There they went on a series of medical brigades, serving the health needs of many who had never before seen a doctor. Thus was born the IU chapter of the Timmy Foundation.

    Continually networking with other individuals, organizations, and campuses, the Foundation now has student organizations at Indiana University, Ball State, Purdue University, Butler University, Tufts, and University of Colorado-Boulder, as well as high school groups from the Indianapolis area that participate in medical service trips. They engage in local and international service, including year round trips to the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Ecuador. The foundation also works with partner organizations in Haiti, Columbia, Nigeria, and South Africa. The IU chapter fulfilled medical service and construction trips to the Dominican Republic and Honduras during Spring Breaks 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. 2008 was the last trip to the Dominican Republic and this year in 2009 marks the first year IU will solely work in Ecuador for the spring break trip.

    In anticipation of the 2008-2009 academic year, IU Timmy club board members have planned an array of activities for club members. Plans include monthly meetings geared towards discussion of historical, social, and political circumstances surrounding health care in Ecuador and across the globe. This will also include the added wisdom of guest speakers and suggested readings. Increased focus will also be geared towards holding trip members accountable for participation in fundraising and donation events year round. Students must be actively engaged in raising financial and material donations 52 weeks out of the year so that the Foundation may greater fulfill its purpose. We have set a goal this year of raising $20,000 to donate to the hospital in Quito, Ecuador, Tierra Nueva, for the building of an intensive care unit they are in great need of.