A Home-Like Feeling Filled Us With Hope

Baby Virginia cuddling with family

Baby Virginia, getting cuddles from her family

On April 30, 2019, I had Virginia (a.k.a. Ginny) at MUSC Children’s Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, 183 miles from home. After her birth and for the next nine months, I stayed at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston, rotating with immediate family members during times I went back to work as a nurse practitioner.

This time last year, I was hopeless, stressed beyond belief and could not even envision bringing baby Virginia home. She was born with VACTERL Association and had Tetralogy of Fallot and a Pure Esophageal Atresia, among other issues. Each scan showed something new. Virginia had already come through four surgical procedures but there were many left, including open heart surgery and esophageal repair.

The cozy low country atmosphere and the wonderful volunteers and staff at RMHC Charleston made a huge difference in our lives. The home-like environment gave us a change from the sterile hospital atmosphere to process our situation and emotions. The people there gave us kindness, meals, ideas and closeness. They have also given us friendship that will continue the rest of our lives.

Baby Virginia spending time with sisters

Virginia is growing and learning and loving sister time

Today, Virginia has been home six months. When we left she was just beginning to learn to drink from a bottle at 9 months of age. She is now eating soft foods, drinking from a sippy cup and pulling up to stand. She has a few deficits, but she is growing and learning. From a sad and dismal place, we are now filled with hope for the future.

Thank you, RMHC Charleston and all of those who support this wonderful organization.

—Valorie Barrett

You can make a positive difference in the lives of RMHC Charleston families in need with a future gift. Contact Alix Tew at alix@rmhcharleston.org or 843-723-7957 Ext. 303 to learn more.

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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