A Light in the Dark

Newborn in NICUWe would truly like to thank the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston for their hospitality during the most difficult time of our lives. We are very grateful a place like the Ronald McDonald House exists for families in need such as ours. We are from Canada and were over 1,000 miles from home. We were vacationing in Hilton Head Island in June 2016 when our twins were born prematurely at just 23 weeks.

David in Superman outfitBoth twins were born on June 15, 2016. David weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces, and Andy weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces. Our boys were airlifted to MUSC in Charleston, where we spent the next four months. Our precious Andy lived for only nine days. RMH truly became a home away from home and allowed us to focus on David's recovery without the stress of worrying about having a roof over our heads while away from home. We loved that RMH allowed us to be close to him at all times.

We cannot thank RMH enough for comforting us during our stay and providing our family with the support it did. The staff was so friendly and the meals took away the stress of typical everyday life and allowed us to focus on David. Today, David is thriving.

David smiling next to hospital outfitYour Support Makes a Difference

Thanks to friends like you, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston was there for Sean and Pamela Wright during the darkest days of their lives. And with your support, RMH will be there for more families in the future. Contact Alix Tew at alix@rmhcharleston.org or 843-723-7957 Ext. 303 to learn how you can make a gift that gives comfort and hope to families in need.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston 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, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose."

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 RMHC Charleston 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 RMHC Charleston 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 RMHC Charleston 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 RMHC Charleston where you agree to make a gift to RMHC Charleston 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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