Spring 2005

George Jacobson

In this issue of Horizons I proudly introduce the newly formed Lighthouse Legacy Society. The purpose of the Lighthouse Legacy Society is to honor and thank those individuals who have made planned gifts to the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation.

Unless otherwise designated by the donor, these planned gifts are typically placed in the Foundation’s endowment fund. In this fund, principal of gifts remains intact in perpetuity. Interest earned is used each year to support Lighthouse programs; creating opportunities for the independence and self-sufficiency of blind and Deaf-Blind people by providing employment , training, and support services.

A planned gift typically occurs when a donor decides to leave a personally significant contribution to a nonprofit organization like the Seattle Lighthouse. The most common forms of planned giving are wills and life insurance policies; gifts that occur when the donor passes away. There are also several planned giving options that allow a donor to make a contribution to the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation, obtain a tax deduction, and receive regular income for life. These “life income” gifts include various types of annuities and trusts.

Obviously, this type of gift requires more effort than simply writing a check. It can fall into the same category as buying a new vehicle, refinancing a mortgage, or funding a child or grandchild’s education. It may take some hard work, but the rewards are usually commensurate.

The Lighthouse Legacy Society provides us with many opportunities to thank and honor those Lighthouse supporters who have gone to the effort of making planned gifts. In addition to written thank you letters, membership certificates and acknowledgment in Horizons, we will be hosting an annual thank-you event just for Lighthouse Legacy Society members.

Our first such event will be a holiday breakfast later this year.

The only requirement for membership in the Lighthouse Legacy Society is to notify us in writing that you have made some sort of planned gift to the Lighthouse. You can send a brief note to either myself or Kirk Adams our director of public relations and resource development at:

The Seattle Lighthouse
2501 South Plum Street
Seattle, WA 98144

Any individual making such written notification on or before April 2nd, 2008, will become a charter member of the Lighthouse Legacy Society. That will be the ninetieth anniversary of the drafting of our articles of incorporation.

I always feel a deep sense of gratitude when I learn that a supporter of the Lighthouse mission has been thoughtful enough to include this outstanding organization in their will or estate plan. I am pleased to present the Lighthouse Legacy Society as a way for all of us here at the Lighthouse to express our heartfelt appreciation to these donors.

Lighthouse Legacy Society
Charter Members
Kirk Adams
Katherine M. Beck
Raymond W. Haman
George Jacobson
Tom Kuebler
Jeff Patterson
Patrick Sullivan
G. H. “Oly” Wise

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