We should really start this column with a thank you to the Honorable Ed Rendell, because when he served as Mayor of Philadelphia, he had a vision for turning Broad Street into the Avenue of the Arts.
Only the legislature did not release the funds required.
So Rendell called up his old friend Sidney Kimmel and asked him to write a check. Which Kimmel, a known philanthropist, willingly did.
And that is how the Kimmel Center became the lead building on The Avenue of the Arts.
Fortunately, Kimmel married Caroline who was very happy to join her husband with his donations, especially to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Kimmel was a fashionista for decades with his Jones New York clothing.
My best friend Debby Wolff and i both used to buy and wear Jones New York outfits regularly.
But I think Kimmel developed a serious health problem. Then Jefferson Hospital cured him.
The result was Kimmel’s donation which resulted in the medical school’s being named for him.
Actually, there has been a series of major donations to Jefferson University Hospital. And more is on the way.
According to Jefferson Hospital, Kimmel has donated $200 million already to Jefferson.
And Caroline will be honored with the next major donation. The emergency department and research labs will be named in her honor.
We need more special citizens like Caroline and Sidney Kimmel!
Bonnie Squires is a freelance journalist. She can be reached at bonnie.squires@verizon.net
Originally Published: August 11, 2025 at 8:17 PM EDT