A solemn promise made to Saint Anthony leads to the largest legacy gift in our history. What began as a plea for help to save a failing business becomes a lasting Legacy of Hope!
We met our benefactors Michael (Mike) and Susan (Susie) Borden in 1991, when they first began donating to the humanitarian works of the Friars from Saint Anthony’s Basilica in Padua, Italy. We later learned that this very special couple from Janesville, Wisconsin met in Junior Achievement when she was 12 and he was 14 years old. In their twenties they eloped, married, and would share 61 very happy years of marriage together. They are the beloved parents of three children, six grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.
A very devout Catholic, Michael shared with us the story of how he made a promise to Saint Anthony that if he was successful with a new bold business endeavor, he would share half of his resources with the Saint. Following through on his promise, in 1999 Michael and Susan Borden founded the Saint Anthony of Padua Charitable Trust. The Trust’s mission would be to finance solidarity projects in third world countries in the spirit of Saint Anthony, for whom Michael has a very special devotion.
For the next 18 years, Michael and Susan would meet with Franciscan priests from the Anthonian Association charged with bringing requests for funding for humanitarian projects from around the world. Much of the funding was to be used to feed the hungry, support schools, build wells, provide transportation, etc. and mainly to benefit women and children in need.
On November, 14th 2008 Michael and Susan Borden were invited to the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua, Italy to receive the prestigious award for the category of Solidarity. This prize is awarded to an individual, group, or organization for exceptional work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and suffering.
Michael, a trained investment broker with a degree in Finance and Accounting, reflects on those early days and his promise to Saint Anthony, “I said to myself .. I will write my own business plan, but since I don’t have experience running a business or a manufacturing company, I will ask Saint Anthony for help”. And thus began a lifelong partnership: Michael would get the financing and run the business, while the Saint would provide the wisdom, courage, intelligence, and a few old fashioned miracles from time to time.
In exchange for the help, Michael vowed to give 50 percent of the business equity to Saint Anthony through a Charitable Trust. Soon after the pact was sealed Michael bought his first business, HUFCOR, INC, which he took through bankruptcy. Thirty years later, HUFCOR became the world’s largest manufacturer of movable partitions for hotel ballrooms and convention centers, installed in over 100 countries. When asked what his greatest asset was, he replied, “My greatest asset as a businessman is wishing to serve God for it is not the amount of capital you have, nor your capacities or experience, but your greatest asset is your Faith”.
The proverb says, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” And indeed Susan has played a significant role in their private lives and business success. As the loving matriarch and nucleus of the Borden family, she reveled in the planning and preparing of many family gatherings, where everyone enjoyed her great cooking skills. A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Susan remained a champion of frugality. She was never too proud to share with her family and friends her ideas about how to stretch a dollar so that she could share more of what she had with those in need.
Michael and Susan spent almost all of their lives serving others. The Anthonian Association was just one of the many charities they contributed to. They bestowed upon their family and friends the importance of Family, God, and Charity and especially giving to others less fortunate.
Michael and Susan exemplified the type of rare human beings that lived what they preached. Sadly, Susan passed away July of 2018 and Michael joined his beloved Susie November of 2020, but their Legacy of Hope lives on.
We are honored and grateful to them for partnering with us to fulfill their philanthropic dreams. With their passion for giving and our passion for service, together we make a big difference in the lives of others today and for years to come. As we continue to honor their wishes in everything we do, Saint Anthony’s Friars will never forget their kindness, thoughtfulness, wisdom, love, and constant care.
Mike and Susie, you will be greatly missed by us all!
