The Siuslaw news., November 20, 2019, WEDNESDAY EDITION, Page 41, Image 41

Florence-Area Senior Resource Guide | SENIOR LIVING 2019
13
Bill Olson — The Salvation Army’s Charitable Gift Planner
M
ost of us would like
to leave a legacy to
show our lives have made a
diff erence. We want to leave
this world a better place.
We want to know we have
contributed to an important
work or cause that will ben-
efi t the lives of others for
generations to come. While
your legacy will consist of
any physical and fi nancial
assets you leave behind —
money and real estate — it
can be much more than
that.
“Some people leave their lega-
cies written on monuments or
walls, but the most valuable
legacies are those written on the
lives and in the hearts of oth-
ers,” says Bill Olson, Director of
Giving for Th e Salvation Army.
“In my work, I come alongside
our supporters and their family
members and professional advi-
sors and fi nd ways to blend their
resources with their heart’s de-
sires.”
One of the charitable gift op-
tions Olson works with is called a
charitable remainder trust. Th ey
can be funded with cash, but also
appreciated properties or securi-
ties. Th ese gift s can provide a life-
time income to the donors and
may also provide for loved ones
aft er they pass on. While these
gift s take a little more time to de-
sign and implement, they are oft en
the most suitable as they consider
both the present needs and future
needs of individuals and their
families.
“Once I learn what the true desires
and needs of a person or couple are,
I can discuss options that may best fi t
their particular situation,” Olson says.
“Th en we can craft something that will
meet those needs and desires both now
and well into the future.”
Olson works with professional advi-
sors in naming Th e Salvation Army in
wills, trusts or as a benefi ciary of an IRA
in the gift s he handles for Th e
Salvation Army, he seldom fi nds
this is the motivating factor in
one’s decision to be charitable.
“People really do want to make
a diff erence with their lives,” Ol-
son says, “Making a gift in line
with our greatest values is a very
rewarding experience and it may
well inspire and teach loved ones
to also be kind and thoughtful of
the needs of others less fortunate
than themselves.
“In the end, ‘We can’t take it
with us!’ However, with good
advance planning, everyone can
make a signifi cant gift that will
The Salvation Army is a big part of recent years’ holiday benefi t others long aft er they
celebrations in Florence after Bill Olson worked to estab-
pass on.”
lish a local Kettle Campaign. Bill and Becky Olson have had
Olson urges everyone to have
a home near Florence since 2010. They support several
a
will
or trust in place, personal
local nonprofit organizations besides The Salvation Army
directives
for health, the end
and bring friends and family from all over the world to see
of life decisions and fi nancial
and enjoy the Central Oregon Coast.
matters should they become
While gift s of cash from our checking disabled and incapable of making deci-
or other
financial account are easy, Olson also urges vol- sions for themselves.
“Finding a good professional advi-
resourc- unteerism.
“One of the most important gift s of all sor can begin with a simple conversa-
es.
“While is that of oneself,” he says. “Many of our tion with what an individual or couple
most of local charities, schools and other or- want to accomplish most. Th en they
us make ganizations need our time, talents and can consider the many options they
gift s from experience to deliver needed services have in meeting their needs and goals,”
our checking account to charities, or in to others and to advise them of the best he says.
Th e Salvation Army has free materi-
our case by dropping some change into ways to accomplish their missions.”
Finding one’s passions and then shar- als to share for making a will, or trust,
a Red Kettle at Christmas time, there
are some attractive gift options to con- ing them with others who have like exploring charitable life income plans
sider that may involve one’s fi nancial minds is a very rewarding way to be and fi nding out how to share their
charitable, Olson says. “Just make the life’s values and resources with others
and estate advisors,” he adds.
Other gift options are less complicat- call to an organization and off er to help in a meaningful way. If anyone would
ed like a gift annuity that provides a life- — it may be the best gift you could pos- like free information without obliga-
tion, they can contact Olson by call-
time income for one or two people, then sibly make and the most rewarding.”
While
Olson
says
taxes
and
income
ing 1-800-481-3280 or emailing bill.
aft er they pass on a residual amount will
security can be strong considerations olson@usw.savlationarmy.org.
go to charity.