Family Thankful for Home Away from Home

Jaxson and his family appreciate the House's comforts of home.

Jaxson and his family appreciate the House's comforts of home.

By Heidi McManus

When most people think about McDonald's, they are trying to decide between a Big Mac or a quarter pounder with cheese. For our family, it goes much further. In December of 2010 we gained a whole new appreciation for the company, specifically the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Our son Jaxson was born at 32 weeks weighing only 3 pounds and 12 ounces at MUSC in Charleston, South Carolina. He was born with a congenital heart defect. Living more than three hours away, our family was graciously given a home-away from home at the Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. We were residents in the house for 55 days.

Over the next four years, the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston never turned us away when Jax needed care. Most recently, we stayed in the house for 23 days while our son had his third open heart surgery. We came bearing gifts this time—after saving and collecting for two years—12 pounds of can tabs!

Jaxson The house means more to us than I can easily articulate. For a family with a seriously ill child, a warm shower and a soft place to sleep is a luxury that is easily taken for granted. The Ronald McDonald House provided daily meals and snacks, making it easy for us to stay strong physically when we would otherwise not eat due to stress or financial burden. The warm and caring staff of the house always had kind and encouraging words, offering what they could to make us as comfortable as possible.

Jaxson spent 1 night in the house before his surgery and became instant friends with the house dog, Gardy. Throughout his hospital stay, he would beg us to go to the Ronald McDonald House to see Gardy! On our day of discharge, we made sure to get a picture in Ronald's big red shoes along with Gardy.

The Ronald McDonald House of Charleston holds a very special place in our heart! Words cannot express our gratitude and appreciation for the staff, home and everyone who helps by supporting them. While Jaxson's heart was being "fixed" at MUSC, the Ronald McDonald House of Charleston was taking care of our hearts.

Learn How You Can Help
If you would like to plan a gift to help Ronald McDonald House care for families, contact Lacee O’Brien at 630-623-7048 or lacee.obrien@us.mcd.com today.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to RMHC 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 give to RMHC, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 110 N Carpenter St Chicago, IL 60607, or its successor thereto, ______________ [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 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.

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 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 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 where you agree to make a gift to RMHC 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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