The Saigh Scene is a place for thoughts, ideas, news, updates, and reflections. We hope you will check in periodically to see what’s new on The Saigh Scene.

St. Louis Arch skyline

Banding Together as a Community

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For twenty years the Saigh Foundation has been introduced to and has built strong relationships with extraordinary organizations throughout the St. Louis region who are steadfast in improving the lives of the people and families throughout our community. Most recently, their collective response to the global Coronavirus crisis and it’s immediate impact in our region assures us that these organizations … Read More

Thank you from Elke & Julie

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At nine months at the Saigh Foundation, we are reflecting on how much we have learned, laughed, and even cried as we stepped into very big shoes. We accepted our new positions with the excitement of a dream come true opportunity to represent the Foundation and Mr. Saigh’s vision to serve children in our community. Shortly thereafter, our excitement turned … Read More

Mary Kemp (left) and JoAnn Hejna (right)from The Saigh Foundation

A Note from Mary

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Sixteen years ago, when I joined The Saigh Foundation, JoAnn Hejna took me under her wing and introduced me to the world of philanthropy. She included me in all aspects of the work of the foundation and we became a team. JoAnn was my mentor and my friend. We shared the belief that everyone who walked into our office should … Read More

Fred Saigh sitting at his desk

Reinforcing his decision

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No one realized Fred had a cleanliness fetish and did not want anything messy to touch him. He liked being a lawyer, but for a long time he considered going back to school and becoming a doctor, too. That lasted only until he was standing on the street talking to a friend when a very pregnant woman in a parked … Read More

Mistaken identity

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Whenever Fred went to New York he was mistaken for the actor, George Raft. Raft always played the role of a mean, tough, scowling guy, which was just the opposite of Fred. One day he asked me if I thought there was any resemblance to Raft so I told him they had no features alike. I think that was the … Read More

The show must go on

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I have always had a fear of birds and this story did not help. Fred liked to give money to programs for very young children. He asked me to meet with six women at a local school who needed money for a dancing program. When I arrived at the school the women were standing out in front to welcome me. … Read More

Fred’s inspiring generosity

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Fred and I had just finished a breakfast meeting at a local hotel, when a young woman ran in apologizing to everyone for being so late. She was supposed to park cars for the guests. She explained that she was a single mother of three, had just dropped them off at school, and now her car had broken down on … Read More

JoAnn’s first day

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On March 2, 1956, Fred interviewed me for the position as his assistant. I was so relieved when he said I had the job and would start on Monday, March 5th, which happened to be my 24th birthday. I hoped he hadn’t noticed that I had been putting blonde dye on my brown hair for months, ran out of money to buy … Read More

Dinner at the Musials

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Fred and Stan Musial both loved gadgets and Fred couldn’t wait to show him his new hearing aid that had a hand-held volume control. We met the Musials for dinner and as we sat down Fred handed Stan the new volume control. Before anyone could explain the gadget, Stan started pushing and pumping the control button and as Fred came … Read More