RMHC Charleston: A Source of Strength for the Hills Family

Elijah

In December 2021, Elijah was born with Down Syndrome and a transitional AVSD—a congenital heart defect that would require open heart surgery. He had his first open heart surgery on July 12, 2022. Elijah's family stayed at RMHC Charleston, close to their son, for 30 days.

Today, Elijah is a happy and thriving little boy who will celebrate his first birthday this December.

Every RMHC Charleston family has a different story and every child has a different diagnosis, but our mission remains the same for all. We make every effort to make the hard days easier by providing a place of hope and compassion within the walls of our House.

Laurin Hills shares her experience with RMHC Charleston. “When Elijah was born, his complex medical condition led us on a journey with several months of therapies, appointments and uncertainty. On July 12, 2022, Elijah had his transitional AVSD repair—an open heart surgery that took over 13 very long hours. It was truly the most terrifying time of our lives. Upon recovery, we were told to expect a lengthy hospitalization. We were blessed with the ability to stay at RMHC Charleston while Elijah received care at MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital.

Elijah

The House always provided us with a clean room, a place to shower, warm meals to eat and snacks to take back to the hospital. Most importantly, RMHC Charleston provided us a place to escape the stress of the hospital and a community where we never felt alone in our battles. The House will forever hold a special place in our hearts. While Elijah was fighting to survive his heart repair, they were helping to fill our hearts with the strength to keep fighting those battles for our son.”

We all hope we never need to utilize RMHC Charleston, but for the thousands of families that do, you can show them how much you care by making a donation today.

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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