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Donor Stories

Donor Stories

Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to CALM.

  • Gary Simpson and Jill Nida, and the Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center - Bequest
    Gary Simpson and Jill Nida, and the Santa Barbara Home Improvement Center - Bequest
    Both Gary and Jill are highly philanthropic and community minded individuals who make it a priority to give back to causes that prevent and reduce human suffering.
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  • Karen and Bob Merrill - Charitable Remainder Trust
    Karen and Bob Merrill - Charitable Remainder Trust
    Bob and I moved to Santa Barbara from Portland Oregon in preparation for our retirement. I soon began looking for volunteer opportunities that were consistent with my values and...
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  • Sissy Taran — IRA Bequest
    Sissy Taran — IRA Bequest
    When it came to deciding what organizations to include as a beneficiary in her will, Sissy Taran wanted to make sure children beyond her own family were also taken care of ...
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  • Jeannette Sanford Hawes — Trust
    Jeannette Sanford Hawes — Trust
    Jeannette, with compassion and conviction, has devoted her life to bringing peace and joy to others...
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  • Joanne and Brian Rapp – Family Trust
    Joanne and Brian Rapp – Family Trust
    CALM has been a priority in our lives since I can remember - our children were babies when I first became involved! So, when Brian and I set up the family trust...
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  • Susan Miles Gulbransen and Gary Gulbransen – Family Legacy Gift
    Susan Miles Gulbransen and Gary Gulbransen – Family Legacy Gift
    My family has a unique attachment to CALM. While growing up, my mom Claire Miles would talk about her...
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  • Mary Ann Froley – Estate Gift and IRA Contribution
    Mary Ann Froley – Estate Gift and IRA Contribution
    CALM just keeps getting better and better. I first became acquainted with CALM 10 years ago while collecting hours as an MFT intern. Earning my master's in...
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  • April Thede - Bequest
    April Thede - Bequest
    When I first learned of CALM, it was during a recruitment event for a new Auxiliary that was forming in 1970. I was a teacher and knew firsthand the tragedy of child abuse. Doing something about it just spoke to...
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  • Maryan Schall - Bequest
    Maryan Schall - Bequest
    I had a beautiful childhood with loving parents. I wish every child could have the same. Looking back, it feels unfair that I was surrounded with such beauty when other children were living in distress...
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  • Nancy and Tom Bollay - Estate Gift
    Nancy and Tom Bollay - Estate Gift
    Tom and I were first introduced to CALM almost 30 years ago through a friend who worked there as a therapist. She would talk about CALM and the work they were doing to help children who...
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  • Peggy and Dan Blough - Estate Gift
    Peggy and Dan Blough - Estate Gift
    Peggy and Dan Blough have been happily married for more than 40 years and together in the late '70s, started a business in real estate development and construction, brokerage and lending. After 35 years...
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  • Adele Rosen - Trust
    Adele Rosen - Trust
    Adele Rosen has been an involved member of the Santa Barbara community for over 50 years, serving as a board member and volunteer for several organizations. Adele first...
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  • Anna and Petar Kokotovic - Bequest
    Anna and Petar Kokotovic - Bequest
    For 18 years from 1990 – 2008, Anna led CALM as the agency's Executive Director. She demonstrates her continued belief in CALM's mission through a decision made with husband, Petar, to include CALM in...
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  • Mike and Marla Gibson (pictured are their 6 grandkids on a recent vacation together) - IRA
    Mike and Marla Gibson (pictured are their 6 grandkids on a recent vacation together) - IRA
    Marla and I moved to Santa Maria in 1988 to raise our children in a wonderful hometown community. Since then, they have all launched successful careers and two...
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  • Tina Hansen McEnroe - Foundation Distribution
    Tina Hansen McEnroe - Foundation Distribution
    When it comes to fulfilling her life's purpose, self-described "down in the trenches teacher," Tina Hansen McEnroe, has made children and education a top priority. Now, a dedicated...
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  • Gift Examples

  • 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 CALM 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 CALM 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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