Adopter, Supporter and Advocate Makes a Planned Gift

Virginia DeSoccio with her cats

Virginia DeSocio with her cats, Rocky and Tiger

Virginia is an adopter, supporter and North Shore Animal League America advocate…. We look forward to hearing your story too!

“Nobody tops North Shore Animal League America. I believe that I’ve talked about the organization at least once a week—for the past 40 years,” says Virginia. When she adopted her dog, Pumpkin, there was one building on the campus. She returned for a visit three years ago. “I was so impressed with the whole organization. The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum had just been completed. I wished it had been around when I was still teaching special education in New Jersey,” says Virginia.

Virginia DeSocio is now a staunch supporter and treasured member of our Pet Protectors Society. It all started though when she adopted Pumpkin from North Shore Animal League America. Years ago she and her newly adopted daughter, Sandra, fell in love with an eight-week-old Labrador Retriever mix puppy with big brown eyes at the Adoption Center. “Adopting Pumpkin meant a lot to Sandra,” says Virginia. “It helped her understand her own adoption better.”

After Pumpkin’s adoption, Virginia began taking in foster care children who needed emergency care. “There was one 15-year-old foster child from an abusive family. She was frightened out of her mind. She walked in the door, took five steps and sat on the floor,” says Virginia. Pumpkin went to her and that was it, she made her feel safe. “Maybe the evidence of kindness to animals in my home sent a message that said it was okay here,” Virginia reflected. Pumpkin became a “social” worker—she always greeted the kids at the door with a wag of her tail and even made sure everyone was all tucked into bed.

Virginia has set aside a planned gift as part of her estate to go to North Shore Animal League America. The last time she visited she saw a room where there were dogs just brought up from the Carolinas. They couldn’t be put up for adoption until they were seen by the veterinarians. She remembers there were six people in this room who were petting the animals and giving them their undivided attention. Seeing this dedication to care cinched her decision to donate.

The pets that Virginia has welcomed into her home have been a big part of her family’s happiness and she is glad to be able to make the commitment of a bright future for homeless animals. Besides spoiling her cats Rocky and Tiger she is now enjoying her retirement and her grandchildren. “I can’t tell you what I do every day, but every minute is filled!”

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to North Shore Animal League America a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

I give to North Shore Animal League America, Inc., Federal I.D. No. 11-1666852, 16 Lewyt Street, Port Washington, NY 11050, (the sum of $______) (all or ___ % of the residue of my estate/trust), to be used for its general purposes.

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to North Shore Animal League America or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to North Shore Animal League America as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to North Shore Animal League America as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and North Shore Animal League America where you agree to make a gift to North Shore Animal League America and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

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