Belief in McLeod and Philanthropy Guides Grangers

Richard and Wanda Granger taught their sons the importance and joy of giving back to the community by example. In addition to their generous ongoing support, the couple has planned a final statement of their values by designating a bequest to the McLeod Health Foundation in their will.

Richard and Wanda Granger <larger>

The Grangers have contributed their time and treasure to the McLeod Health Foundation for many years. In 1996, the couple and their two sons dedicated a room in The Guest House at McLeod and made furnishing it a family project. The family also dedicated a room in the McLeod Hospice House in memory of Dr. Mary Dean Brewer, a former Foundation Executive Director who died of cancer.

Richard has served on the McLeod Foundation Board of Trustees for 13 years. He has taken an active leadership role by serving on the executive committee, chairing the McLeod Children's Hospital Advisory Board and one of its major fundraising efforts, the Chef & Child Dinner and Auction benefiting McLeod Children's Hospital. He also helped raise $810,000 for a Mobile Mammography Unit. "McLeod has tremendous outreach in the community, and the fact that it is a nonprofit organization is pivotal to our support," Granger says.

"We're very fortunate to have the children's hospital, for example. It is a financial responsibility that many private hospitals would not accept, but if McLeod didn't provide this, there wouldn't be one in the region."

Richard operated a successful mortgage company for nearly 30 years and currently works with land development with two projects underway in the area. His company is R. Granger Development. Wanda recently retired from a teaching career in Florence schools.

Richard calls their bequest gift to McLeod a final reminder of their values. "We've taught our sons that life is not all about taking ... we need to give back too," he says.

There is some additional information available about the benefits of utilizing a charitable bequest and how bequests enable you to keep control of your assets. Also, there is information concerning the wording of a bequest (see bequest information).

Heart Reach Ambulance <info>

Other Strategies

Using funds from a retirement account to make bequests is often a good strategy. If there is a balance in your retirement account at your death, not only is there a potential income tax burden, but there may be estate taxes as well. Estimates are that taxes could eat up as much as 70-75% of retirement assets under certain circumstances. Careful planning concerning retirement funds needs to be done. Some additional information regarding retirement assets is available.

Another option to consider in making a gift is to use life insurance policies that are no longer needed or necessary. There are some different ways to make a gift of life insurance.

Wanda and Richard found their experience has enriched their hearts and lives. Often donors are surprised by just how wonderful the giving experience is.

Now click here to meet Evans and Mary Jane Holland.