Planned Giving: Real People. Real Advantages
The Planned Giving Department serves donors and the children of the Homes and BVS by providing giving vehicles that benefit both parties. Whatever a donor's particular needs may be, there is a Planned Giving program to fulfill their desire to help those who need it most. If you are interested in learning more about estate planning and charitable giving, please contact our Planned Giving Department at (800) 525-4906 or by e-mail.
Check out our Donor Profile below as we take an in-depth look at one of our generous donors.
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By Andy Mantione, Director of Planned Giving Have you ever heard the expression "they see the world through the eyes of a child"? For most, it means looking at things from a special point of view, one in which nothing bad can happen and in which the world is a friendly place. Can there be a better feeling -- that sense of security?
Despite these hardships, though, the children in our care are truly blessed because we are able to provide them with the care, love, and support which they need to thrive. And we are only able to do so thanks to the help we receive from our many generous donors. We, and the children and families we serve, are eternally grateful. |
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We are always trying
to show off the advantages of the many giving programs that are
available to our donors. But often, tables, charts, and numbers
do not tell the real story about the advantages of giving. The
real story is in the actions of our generous donors everywhere.
Following is a profile of one of these special people -- Stanley
Kashnig.
Stan is an 81-year-old retired resident of North Fort Myers, Fla. Most of his life has been spent on the sea, as he was in the Merchant Marines during WWII and a steward on some of the many lake boats that passed through the Great Lakes. Both his and wife Arlene's lives have been enriched much by Our Lady of Victory, and that fact persuaded Stan to enroll in the Gift Annuity program in 1996. Following is Stan's story in his own words:
OLV: How did you first learn of Father Baker, his mission of caring, and the OLV Homes of Charity?
Stan: In the early 1940s, I was on a ship which came into Bethlehem Steel in Lackawanna. While we were there, I heard some of the guys talking about Father Baker and Our Lady of Victory. On our next trip I took a bus to the Basilica, and since then I have been acquainted with Our Lady. I know she has followed me around throughout my travels ever since.
OLV: How so?
Stan: I feel that Our Lady has taken me under her wing, certainly. She has helped the guardian angels assigned to me -- and I know I have needed a bunch! During World War II, I was in a plane that went down, on one ship that sank, and another that was surrounded by artillery at Salerno Bay in Italy. I came through all of that stuff and now that I look back on it all, I realize that someone up there really likes me.
OLV: Whew! Now we know why you chose OLV Homes of Charity, but why gift annuities?
Stan: I had been giving a little check here and there from time to time throughout the years. But then I found myself getting older. I was getting close to retiring and I had all these stocks which were going up in value, but really were not paying any dividends. They weren't working for me. I read about the Gift Annuity program and it made a lot of sense. It really does help you, as you can avoid a sizable Capital Gains Tax, and what you do pay you are paying with cheaper dollars (less inflation). The program was perfect for me.
OLV: You sure do know your stuff, Stan. But how do you feel knowing you are helping the cause here?
Stan: I do feel pretty good when I write that check out (to the Homes of Charity). I know that when I get to the throne of God, Our Lady will remember that she received a basket full of checks from Stanley. I know that is a good thing. I truly feel that I am simply paying her back for all of the guidance and support she has given to me throughout the years. And that makes me feel very good.
A gift annuity is an agreement between you and the Homes of Charity.
In exchange for your gift of cash or other assets, the Homes will
provide you with an income that you cannot outlive. The amount
of the income will be determined by your age and when you make
the gift. Once in place, that income will NEVER decrease in value
and will be paid to you the rest of your life.
There is no limit to the
number of annuities you can start. And, as your age increases,
so does your rate of return for the next annuity. You can elect
to have payments begin immediately or at any time in the future
that you may need the income. Your generosity helps you further
by providing you with an income tax deduction, while part of each
payment your receive is paid to you tax free. In addition, you
will know that your contribution will go to help care for some
of the many needy youngsters in our care.
Suppose Mrs. Johnson (age
81) donates $10,000 she has in a CD that is maturing and was paying
a low rate of interest. In exchange for that donation, based on
her age, Mrs. Johnson would receive 9.9% (or $990) in income each
year from OLV Homes of Charity. That income will be paid to her
for the rest of her life, and about $620 of that income will be
tax free. In addition, Mrs. Johnson will be entitled to a charitable
deduction of about $4,541 when she funds the annuity.
7 Reasons Gift Annuities Make Cents (Sense)
For more information about the advantages of charitable gift annuities, or any other giving vehicle, feel free to contact our Planned Giving Department, either by phone at (800) 525-4906 or e-mail.
Unfortunately,
for many of our children here at the Homes, that expression just
didn't mean the same thing before they came to us. Their eyes
may have seen more than they should have, or smiles and hugs
came too infrequently to them, if at all. Some of these children
have faced troubles and situations that nobody should have to,
forcing them to see the world through eyes which bring little
joy at all, certainly less than you or I.
