About the Bies Family Foundation
Meet the Bies Family.
Growing up in Michigan, siblings Jen Bies Duffy and Deucie Bies watched as their parents built their family business, all while raising two kids and living lives filled with generosity, love and passion. In the late 1970s, James and Lorraine Bies opened their first auto repair shop. Over the next 20 years, they grew their business into a franchise containing over 40 stores in surrounding states. While their relentless efforts to grow their family business was met with success, it is their actions of always striving to help others they will be most remembered for.
“Our parents taught and raised us by the Golden Rule: treat others as you would want to be treated. They lived their lives by this philosophy and taught us to do the same,” remarks Jen Bies Duffy.
Jen fondly remembers seeing her mom pick up clothes that were on the ground and hang them up every time they were in a clothing store. Lorraine would say ‘Somebody has to do it and why not help them? Wouldn’t you want someone to help you if it were your job?’
In 2018, before the Bies Family Foundation began, the Bies were introduced to The Howard Phillips Center Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, through a facility tour which Katie Bies attended.
Katie remembers her visit to The Howard Philips Center, saying, “When I first toured The Howard Phillips Center three years ago, I instantly felt the love of The Center’s mission and the dedication and passion of those who work there. I knew it was a place I wanted to get involved in. One thing that stood out to me was the fact that The Center provides counseling and tools to help children and families improve their lives. They are not just putting a Band- Aid on a problem; they are setting people up for success and changing their trajectory towards a positive future.”
And the Bies Family Foundation was founded with a similar Mission.