The Sight Center Legacy Society
Through the inspiration of community leaders such as John Goerlich, William Marti and Gerald Hazel, The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio, legally founded as the Toledo Society for the Blind, has become the catalyst for positive change for people facing blindness and vision loss throughout Northwest Ohio. Predicting the future is always challenging since it is difficult to anticipate the changing needs and aspirations of the visually impaired population or how to best fund the needed services. But, in the history of The Sight Center there have been several leaders who had the courage to dream big dreams about what the future for the visually impaired could look like. Among these people were leaders like John W. Davies, Jr., executive director from 1997 to 2006 who articulated the need for a new building and community leaders like Dick Anderson, Bruce Douglas, Jim Findley, Don Fraser, Bruce Rumpf, Rabbi Alan Sokobin, and Bob Sterling–who stepped up to the plate to ensure that the campaign was successful.
As a tribute to the vision of these leaders as well as the many others who are not mentioned, we are creating The Sight Center Legacy Society to encourage gifts to secure the future of The Sight Center. Gifts can be in the form of a bequest in one’s Will, a life income trust, or other deferred gifts. Membership is open to anyone who makes one of these types of planned gifts. When you give in this way, you join with other visionary leaders in our community and become a partner in The Sight Center’s future.
If you have named The Sight Center as a beneficiary, please take a moment to let us know so that we can express our gratitude and welcome you to The Sight Center Legacy Society.
Please feel free to call Tim Tegge, Executive Director, at 419-720-3937 or email ttegge@sightcenternwo.org with questions or comments. He will be happy to meet with you and your professional advisors to assist in identifying the best giving method for your personal situation.
What are the benefits?
When you make a gift to The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are enhancing the quality of life for people facing vision loss and ensuring that they will be prepared to serve as contributing members of society. What better legacy to leave your community than the gift of enlightenment –the kind that touches the heart, the mind and the spirit?
By simply naming The Sight Center as a beneficiary in your Will, the Center’s endowment will be enhanced, providing a steady stream of income from the invested principal that will fund needed programs and services to maximize the independence of people who are blind or visually impaired.
Additionally, there are significant tax advantages to you and your family for each form of planned gift. Depending on the kind of gift that you make, the investments you have made over the years for your family can be secured….while making a difference for people served by The Sight Center at the same time.
How can you make a planned gift?
A Gift by Bequest
A bequest is a gift conveyed by your Will that names The Toledo Society for the Blind/The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio as a recipient of part of your estate. You can make The Sight Center a primary beneficiary or a contingent beneficiary in case other family members predecease you. Many people have already put The Sight Center in their Wills, some of which have been realized. If you already have a Will and would like to add The Sight Center as a beneficiary please note that our legal name for purposes of your will is The Toledo Society for the Blind. We would be pleased to assist you in the phrasing of any proposed form of bequest to the agency. Please know that in addition to making a significant gift to The Sight Center, a key benefit to you is that such a gift is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Other forms of Planned Gifts
While putting The Sight Center in your will now is an easy way to make a lasting gift, some other forms of planned giving may better suit your needs or tax situation. These forms may include but are not limited to the following:
- Gifts of Insurance
- Gifts of Marketable Securities
- Gifts of a Charitable Remainder Trust
Becoming a member of The Sight Center Legacy Society
The Sight Center Legacy Society has been founded to recognize those who have made plans for a future gift to The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio. All those who have made plans for such a gift through any of the opportunities listed above are eligible for membership.
Confidential Reply Card
Please print this Confidential Reply Card and mail to: Tim Tegge, Executive Director, The Sight Center of Northwest Ohio, 1002 Garden Lake Parkway, Toledo, OH 43614.