More than one way to give
I often hear from community members that they’d like to support the Kootenai Health Foundation, but don’t feel like what they can do now would make an impact in our efforts. While every donation is appreciated and important, there are ways to make donations involving less up-front cash and still feel significant. It takes some forethought, but planned giving is a wonderful way to support a charity you care about.
Planned giving encompasses gifts left to organizations or other entities through wills, trusts, annuities, stock transfers, and even real estate. These types of gifts are often referred to as “legacy gifts.” We were thrilled to learn recently that the Kootenai Health Foundation would receive a substantial donation from Phillip and Edith Reed’s estate. The couple, married in Coeur d’Alene in 1947, used our hospital several times throughout their lives, including for Phillip’s cancer treatment. In addition to a financial donation, their trust included the donation of their home in Dalton Gardens.
“My uncle received cancer treatment at Kootenai in the early 1990s, and was impressed with the care he received,” Michael Martens, the Reeds’ nephew and estate executor, said. “Following his treatment, he created a trust to benefit cancer services, and my aunt Edith followed suit in her will after she passed away. They were both happy to see their estate benefit an entity like the hospital in our community.”
The Reeds are not the only people to support the Foundation through planned giving. In addition to several other generous community members, we have had several board members support the Foundation through planned giving. Dr. Tom and Sue Thilo’s names are now proudly displayed in the physician lounge of the new operating rooms for their donation to our recent surgical services expansion.
“Our community has been well served by Kootenai Health for over six decades,” Sue Thilo, Kootenai Health Foundation board member, said. “We are proud to leave a planned gift to support generations to come.”
Several other board members have created planned gifts. This includes Georgianne Jessen, a current board member.
“Mine and my husband’s careers were dedicated to the health care profession, serving others, and we are acutely aware of how important it is for a community to have exceptional health care. Kootenai Health provides just that,” Georgianne Jessen, Kootenai Health Foundation board treasurer, said. “We felt the need to help Kootenai Health fulfill its mission and continue to deliver outstanding health care now and in the future.”
Every donor has his or her own reason for wanting to leave these legacy gifts to their favorite charity. Beyond supporting a cause close to their hearts, legacy gifts help ensure a better future for that organization and those it serves. For us, it helps ensure access to quality health care for our region.
“When we retired and moved to Coeur d’Alene, a major part in choosing to stay in the area was the availability of top-notch health care. In the 18 years we have been here, we have needed to use that health care on many occasions,” Linda Fournier, former chair of the Kootenai Health Foundation board, said. “We have never before experienced the expertise, the caring, and the dedication that Kootenai Health and its employees offer. Kootenai Health continues to expand to meet the needs of the expanding population. Moe and I want to make sure the current and future population needs continue to be met by a first-class health care facility.”
If you are interested in planned giving, there are several ways to get started. You can work directly with organizations like ours, but you may want to obtain specific professional help through a financial adviser or estate planning attorney. If you want to learn more about planned giving options, call the Kootenai Health Foundation at 208-625-4438 or email jholt@kh.org.
PHOTO: Courtesy photo of Phillip and Edith Reed