Coulter Family Endowment - in memory of Chris Coulter
Chris Coulter, son of Frank and Sharon and brother to Ted and Jeff passed away on Sunday, November 9, 2008 at the age of 40.
To celebrate and remember Chris’ life, the Coulter family requested memorial donations for the benefit of the Owen Sound Regional Hospital Foundation and Kilsyth United Church. Family and friends responded in an amazing way, donating almost $5,000 in Chris’ memory to the Foundation.
“Chris was a special person who touched many lives. Showing up and contributing were priorities for him,” said Frank Coulter.
Memorial donations received by the Foundation usually support the hospital’s most urgent needs for medical equipment. “We wanted to do something where we could all participate and remember - so as a family we established the Coulter Family Endowment - in Memory of Chris Coulter, said Frank. In memoriam donations were topped up to $50,000 to establish the named fund.
Contributions to the Fund are invested permanently by the Foundation. A portion of the investment income earned will be paid to the hospital every year. “We’re looking forward to growing Chris’ fund and to watching it support the hospital year after year”, he added.
Joseph & Louise Di Tursi - Bequest Gift
"We had been regular supporters of the Foundation and in 2001 I responded to a mailing about Endowment Gifts" said Joseph DiTursi. "Our plan was to support the Foundation in a more lasting way by creating an Endowment in our Wills."
But in June of that year, Joe's brother Peter died due to complications from Crohn’s disease. Staff at the Owen Sound hospital first saved Peter’s life in 1982 and during the next 20 years, surgeons, Emergency and ICU staff helped him many times. “We appreciate the care Peter received at the hospital,” said Joe. “The staff of Emergency and Intensive Care, along with Drs. (Marc) Newton and (Zarin) Khan did a lot for him.”
As a memorial, the Di Tursi family created the Peter Di Tursi Endowment Fund, donating $50,000 to the Grey Bruce Regional Health Centre Foundation. The gift is permanently endowed and only the income earned will support the purchase of medical equipment at the hospital. Family members have added to the Fund many times in the last 6 years.
A few months later Joe, Louise and his parents had new wills written that include bequest gifts to the Foundation. "Staff provided the language needed to designate the gift to Peter's Fund", said Joseph. "Our idea became Peter's memorial, but it's still a way that we can give something back to our community. We looked after each other and our children first - but after that, we wanted to make this happen."
Joe & Louise encourage others to consider a bequest gift to the Foundation. "It was easy to do and there's no reason to wait. Do it soon - you'll be glad you did"!
Mrs. M. - Life Insurance Gift
Mrs. M is a new grandmother. Born and raised in Owen Sound, she married and remained in the community as a teacher, enjoying her profession for almost 40 years.
"I had my financial planner come and help me do some estate planning after my husband passed away," said Mrs. M. "I wanted to do something special for charity in the future, but also wanted to protect my estate for my son". Since Mrs. M has a modest estate, she chose to purchase a $100,000 life insurance policy that names the Foundation as 50% beneficiary, with the balance going to other local charities. "My estate will receive the tax benefit for the gifts and my son will still receive a meaningful inheritance", she said.
"The Province can’t provide all the money necessary to equip our hospitals – so we need to help out," said Mrs. M. "A planned gift is a great way for someone like me to do just that".