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Donor Stories

Donor Stories

Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to our organization and others.

  • Luther and Kim Zarfoss
    Legacy donors Luther and Kim Zarfoss discuss the reasons why they support the Masonic Charities.
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  • Making a Mark on the World
    While some couples meet through a blind date or mutual friend, Anne Gratz and her late husband, Roger, were brought together by a shared passion: stamp collecting. Roger was a stamp dealer since 1948 and owned a store in...
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  • A Heart and Mind for Charity
    While Chuck Trexler considers himself analytical-minded, he has a heart for charity and for improving the lives of Masonic Villages residents through his time and planned gifts. Chuck was raised in a modest home surrounded by...
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  • From Great Depression to Great Philanthropist
    Being in his mid-90s, Donald "Don" Wood has seen a lot in his life, both joys and hardships. From growing up during times of economic hardship, to being at a place in his life where he can actively support his favorite Masonic charities...
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  • A Widow of a Masonic Children's Home Graduate Leaves a Legacy
    More than a century ago, a 10-year-old boy named Stan Longdon arrived at the Masonic Children's Home. He'd traveled from Pittsburgh after his family, including his widowed mother and sister, had lost their home and had been reduced...
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  • Inspired by the Fraternity That Shaped Him
    When it was time for Harold and Monica Snyder to put pen to paper and decide how they wanted to distribute their assets when they were gone, their decision was easy. They decided to make a generous legacy gift to support the...
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  • Leaving a Legacy While Caring for Children in Need
    After a long life of hard work and taking care of others, Jack Llewellyn is still making plans to support the causes he believes in. He has given to the Masonic Charities for more than 60 years, and most recently has set up two charitable...
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  • A Committed Life, a Thoughtful Donation
    After a career dedicated to Freemasonry and helping his community, Mark Haines plans to continue his helpful spirit with the planned giving bequest he made in support of a charity he's passionate about: the Masonic Library and...
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  • Continuing a Husband's Desire to Help Children
    Before retirement, Trudi Prath was famous at work for clearing the snow off her coworkers' cars in the winter. She has modeled her life on assisting others, which now includes the children of the Masonic Children's Home. "I enjoy helping...
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  • Bequests
    Joe and Anna have been faithful supporters of our organization. They believe it is important to help further our mission.
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  • Using a Beneficiary Designation to Make a Gift to Charity
    Joanne and her late husband Hal had been longtime supporters of our organization. Recently, Joanne's children encouraged...
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  • Fixed Income for Retirement
    After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small town, Patricia is ready to retire.
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  • Tax-Free Sale
    Howard and Lynn were both age 55 when they purchased some vacant land a few miles outside of town. They thought real estate would be a good investment that could be sold later for a profit.
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  • Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Peter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities and built a sizable portfolio.
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  • Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Many years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was very pleased with her home, she bought stock in the company that built the home.
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  • Endowment Gift
    Pat and Shelly were recently married. They both had been dedicated volunteers at their favorite charity for many years.
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  • Sale and Unitrust
    Gene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. The company has done well.
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  • The Retirement Unitrust
    Mary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she and her husband Bill inherited the farm.
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  • Property Turns Into Income
    Miranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their three children. After her spouse passed away, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her property.
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  • Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Luis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially in value.
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  • Part Gift and Part Sale
    Susan and Kevin bought a vacant lot along Lake Michigan many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their family could spend their summers along the lake.
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  • Current Gifts
    As is the case with many families, there are times each year when Jim and Sharon focus their attention on gift giving.
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  • Gift of a Bank Account When No Longer Needed (POD)
    Keith has been a faithful supporter of Masonic Charities of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and makes regular gifts to support our work.
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  • Transferable on Death (TOD) Gifts
    Harold and Jeanne married after meeting at an event Masonic Charities of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania held for our donors. They wanted to leave a legacy gift...
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  • A Bequest to Further Good Work
    Nancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.
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  • Deferred Gift Annuity
    Several years ago, Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock.
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  • What Will You Do with Your Unspent Retirement Savings?
    Michael and Kelly were retired engineers with two adult children. They owned a home, some stocks, and IRAs.
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  • Gift Annuity for Real Estate
    Jonathan purchased his home many years ago for $80,000. The home is now worth $420,000. Jonathan wants to sell his home and buy a condo for $130,000.
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  • A Bequest to Save Taxes
    Thomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work, Thomas wanted to thank us with a gift from his estate.
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  • Leading for the Future
    Luke and Cynthia spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
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  • Give it Twice Trust
    While visiting her favorite charity's website, June came across the idea of a give it twice trust. She contacted the charity for more information.
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  • Providing for Our Children's Future
    Ron and Kathy worked for many years building their nest egg for retirement.
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  • Bequest of Insurance
    Marla and Wayne purchased a life insurance policy many years ago to create security for their children's future.
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  • Testamentary Charitable Remainder Unitrust: Have Your Cake and Eat it Too!
    We have all heard the saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too." This phrase describes a situation where we want two good things at the same time when that isn't possible.
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