An Interview with a Modest Donor

“I began volunteering at Westminster Village in 1988 – more than 20 years ago!  I had just retired and one of my associates asked me to get involved there.  I became an active volunteer – and that has lead to more opportunities than I could have imagined.
   
I started out transporting people in the Health Center in wheelchairs.  Serving people in this way was very gratifying – I saw how much it meant to those who otherwise had little or no mobility.  I enjoyed taking residents to social activities, in-house appointments, picnics on the Patio, Lawnfest and other events.  Soon my wife joined me as a volunteer, working at Westminster’s annual Lemon Tree holiday bazaar.

Then I switched to volunteering in the Gift Shop, an operation of the Westminster Village Auxiliary.  One day there, I read an article in Homes News (now Caring & Sharing) about someone who had given a charitable gift annuity to the organization.  I thought, ‘Why couldn’t my wife and I do something like that to benefit Westminster Village?’

So, we called and discovered that Presbyterian Senior Living certainly accepts charitable gift annuities to support its facilities – and has done so for many years.  We found that a charitable gift annuity would enable us to not only make a significant contribution to Westminster Village but also to receive income as well tax benefits.  That was important.

We completed our charitable gift annuity for $30,000 a few years ago.  We couldn’t be happier with the results.  Among them, we’re now members of the Ellen Parker Legacy Society.  The warm feelings we have meeting and mingling with other members is great.

A charitable gift annuity was right for my wife and me.  It could be right for you.”