Donor Stories
Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to our organization and others.
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BequestsRobert G. of Columbus, Ohio got his first dog at age 77. He received a 2-pound fluffy snowball of a schnauzer as a birthday gift from his sister.
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Estate Gifts of Real EstateMark Matson and George Silva of Hillsboro, Oregon found the isolation of the pandemic an ideal time to look for a four-legged friend.
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Roy and Vlasta Pikal Trust — Guardian Society story sharedRecently, Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) was notified of the passing of Vlasta F. Pikal. Early in 1999, Vlasta and Roy Pikal created a Charitable Remainder Unitrust, naming Dogs for the Deaf as a recipient of a portion of their estate.
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Entrusting Training For Dogs Into The FutureAs a dog owner for most of her life, Marilyn Wilson knew dogs were smart and protective. But she didn't know how beneficial they could be when trained to help people until she attended...
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Gift Annuity for Real EstateJonathan purchased his home many years ago for $80,000. The home is now worth $420,000. Jonathan wants to sell his home and buy a condo for $130,000.
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Using a Beneficiary Designation to Make a Gift to CharityJoanne and her late husband Hal had been longtime supporters of our organization. Recently, Joanne's children encouraged...
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Fixed Income for RetirementAfter working for decades as a pediatrician in a small town, Patricia is ready to retire.
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Tax-Free SaleHoward and Lynn were both age 55 when they purchased some vacant land a few miles outside of town. They thought real estate would be a good investment that could be sold later for a profit.
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Capital Gains Tax BypassedPeter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities and built a sizable portfolio.
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Peace of Mind Gift AnnuityMany years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was very pleased with her home, she bought stock in the company that built the home.
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Endowment GiftPat and Shelly were recently married. They both had been dedicated volunteers at their favorite charity for many years.
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Sale and UnitrustGene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. The company has done well.
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The Retirement UnitrustMary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she and her husband Bill inherited the farm.
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Property Turns Into IncomeMiranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their three children. After her spouse passed away, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her property.
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Flexible Deferred Gift AnnuityLuis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially in value.
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Part Gift and Part SaleSusan and Kevin bought a vacant lot along Lake Michigan many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their family could spend their summers along the lake.
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Current GiftsAs is the case with many families, there are times each year when Jim and Sharon focus their attention on gift giving.
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Gift of a Bank Account When No Longer Needed (POD)Keith has been a faithful supporter of Dogs for Better Lives and makes regular gifts to support our work.
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Transferable on Death (TOD) GiftsHarold and Jeanne married after meeting at an event Dogs for Better Lives held for our donors. They wanted to leave a legacy gift...
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A Bequest to Further Good WorkNancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.
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Deferred Gift AnnuitySeveral years ago, Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock.
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What Will You Do with Your Unspent Retirement Savings?Michael and Kelly were retired engineers with two adult children. They owned a home, some stocks, and IRAs.
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A Bequest to Save TaxesThomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work, Thomas wanted to thank us with a gift from his estate.
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Leading for the FutureLuke and Cynthia spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
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Give it Twice TrustWhile visiting her favorite charity's website, June came across the idea of a give it twice trust. She contacted the charity for more information.
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Providing for Our Children's FutureRon and Kathy worked for many years building their nest egg for retirement.
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Bequest of InsuranceMarla and Wayne purchased a life insurance policy many years ago to create security for their children's future.
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Testamentary Charitable Remainder Unitrust: Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!We have all heard the saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too." This phrase describes a situation where we want two good things at the same time when that isn't possible.
More
Donor Story Examples
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BequestsRobert G. of Columbus, Ohio got his first dog at age 77. He received a 2-pound fluffy snowball of a schnauzer as a birthday gift from his sister.
More -
Estate Gifts of Real EstateMark Matson and George Silva of Hillsboro, Oregon found the isolation of the pandemic an ideal time to look for a four-legged friend.
More -
Roy and Vlasta Pikal Trust — Guardian Society story sharedRecently, Dogs for Better Lives (DBL) was notified of the passing of Vlasta F. Pikal. Early in 1999, Vlasta and Roy Pikal created a Charitable Remainder Unitrust, naming Dogs for the Deaf as a recipient of a portion of their estate.
More -
Entrusting Training For Dogs Into The FutureAs a dog owner for most of her life, Marilyn Wilson knew dogs were smart and protective. But she didn't know how beneficial they could be when trained to help people until she attended...
More -
Gift Annuity for Real EstateJonathan purchased his home many years ago for $80,000. The home is now worth $420,000. Jonathan wants to sell his home and buy a condo for $130,000.
More -
Using a Beneficiary Designation to Make a Gift to CharityJoanne and her late husband Hal had been longtime supporters of our organization. Recently, Joanne's children encouraged...
More -
Fixed Income for RetirementAfter working for decades as a pediatrician in a small town, Patricia is ready to retire.
More -
Tax-Free SaleHoward and Lynn were both age 55 when they purchased some vacant land a few miles outside of town. They thought real estate would be a good investment that could be sold later for a profit.
More -
Capital Gains Tax BypassedPeter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities and built a sizable portfolio.
More -
Peace of Mind Gift AnnuityMany years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was very pleased with her home, she bought stock in the company that built the home.
More -
Endowment GiftPat and Shelly were recently married. They both had been dedicated volunteers at their favorite charity for many years.
More -
Sale and UnitrustGene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. The company has done well.
More -
The Retirement UnitrustMary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she and her husband Bill inherited the farm.
More -
Property Turns Into IncomeMiranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their three children. After her spouse passed away, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her property.
More -
Flexible Deferred Gift AnnuityLuis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially in value.
More -
Part Gift and Part SaleSusan and Kevin bought a vacant lot along Lake Michigan many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their family could spend their summers along the lake.
More -
Current GiftsAs is the case with many families, there are times each year when Jim and Sharon focus their attention on gift giving.
More -
Gift of a Bank Account When No Longer Needed (POD)Keith has been a faithful supporter of Dogs for Better Lives and makes regular gifts to support our work.
More -
Transferable on Death (TOD) GiftsHarold and Jeanne married after meeting at an event Dogs for Better Lives held for our donors. They wanted to leave a legacy gift...
More -
A Bequest to Further Good WorkNancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.
More -
Deferred Gift AnnuitySeveral years ago, Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock.
More -
What Will You Do with Your Unspent Retirement Savings?Michael and Kelly were retired engineers with two adult children. They owned a home, some stocks, and IRAs.
More -
A Bequest to Save TaxesThomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work, Thomas wanted to thank us with a gift from his estate.
More -
Leading for the FutureLuke and Cynthia spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
More -
Give it Twice TrustWhile visiting her favorite charity's website, June came across the idea of a give it twice trust. She contacted the charity for more information.
More -
Providing for Our Children's FutureRon and Kathy worked for many years building their nest egg for retirement.
More -
Bequest of InsuranceMarla and Wayne purchased a life insurance policy many years ago to create security for their children's future.
More -
Testamentary Charitable Remainder Unitrust: Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!We have all heard the saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too." This phrase describes a situation where we want two good things at the same time when that isn't possible.
More