Will your children and grandchildren have the medical equipment they might need? You can ensure they will by following the example of Robert Clarence Light.
A Last Will & Testament ensures the possessions and assets you have worked hard for throughout your lifetime, will go where you wish. Bob Light did just that! Bob passed away in June 2015 leaving legacies to three charities, near and dear to his heart. One such charity, which has benefited from Bob’s insight into planned giving, is Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation.
Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation is a charitable organization that raises funds to assist in meeting the health care needs of the Bruce Peninsula area by raising funds for priority hospital projects to keep our hospitals current. You may not know it, but there is almost no government funding for hospital upgrades or medical equipment. What you undoubtedly do know is that there is a constant need for the purchase of new and updated medical equipment to diagnose and care for patients in well-equipped hospitals. Hospitals count on their communities – on you – for support to keep care close to home. Each year hundreds of thousands of dollars are required to meet just the highest priority equipment needs. The 2016/17 Capital Priority list for the Peninsula is $1,038,430! Thanks to Bob’s gift, the impossible may have just been made possible!
Bob was well aware of the annual needs of Grey Bruce Health Services as he was an active member of the board of directors of Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation at the time of his passing. Bob shared his expertise on policy and procedure writing with the Foundation. Although some might find this work dry, Bob often cautioned that he may insert something totally bizarre to safeguard that people were paying attention. Bob’s preference was to make his contributions in his quiet manner and he also filled in as Chair of Foundation meetings, as necessary. Through his involvement with the Foundation, Bob was a member of the Peninsula Hospital Campaign Cabinet, a committee working on the $11.4 m campaign for local and regional cancer and cardiac care for GBHS. He had also previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of GBHS and even after the completion of his board term he continued to volunteer at the Owen Sound Regional Hospital until his passing. As you can see, contributing to healthcare was very important to Bob. Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation considers itself very blessed that Robert Clarence Light cared enough about healthcare in our community to make a difference.
There are many opportunities that you can take advantage of to leave a legacy. For example, you could purchase a life insurance policy benefiting your charity on your passing or you could make a donation of publicly traded securities, now or in your will. Speak to your legal and financial advisors to determine the best option for you and discuss the tax benefits made possible by such a gift. If Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation can assist you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us at 519-534-5856.
BPHS Foundation is very grateful for Bob’s generous donation. He will be fondly remembered for his commitment to our community both during his lifetime and beyond. Thank you, Bob, for remembering Bruce Peninsula Health Services Foundation. Thank you for leaving a legacy which will benefit healthcare in our community. Gone but not forgotten – your legacy lives on Bob!
by Bev Boswell
Executive Director of BPHS Foundation