Part 57
Thomas M. Boles, 33°, G.C.
Director of Development
1761 East Woodcrest Avenue, La Habra, California 90631-3260
Tel . 562-691-4227; Fax 562-691-5327

Whether a Mason or not, you may benefit from a Charitable Remainder Unitrust.

Thank God for those who have charity in their soul! Last month, I wrote about a couple of wonderful people in Sacramento, California, who discovered the many benefits of a Pooled Income Fund. This month, I would like to share with you the story of an elderly couple here in Southern California, who, upon learning about the Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program, decided to do something about the feeling they found in their hearts.

My story is about Dr. Harold Stone and his wonderful wife, Alberta. Doc Stone was not a Mason, but he lived as a Mason demonstrating the spirit of one of the important tenets of Freemasonry, Charity. And he enjoyed having a typical Mason's wife, a woman who was loving and totally supportive of her husband. Both Harold and Alberta believed in helping children who have needs. Together, they owned quite a bit of real estate, including a four-unit commercial property in Whittier, California. I spoke to them about the many benefits of putting this property in a Charitable Remainder Unitrust. The primary reason was to produce additional income to help support their later years in life and, also, to establish a welcome charitable tax deduction. In addition, the proposed arrangement would reduce the value of their estate, thus reducing estate taxes and helping take care of their two grown daughters after Harold and Alberta were gone.

The Stones placed this property into a Charitable Remainder Unitrust, and up until the day they died, each said it was one of the greatest things they had ever done. Not for the reasons I had given them—the additional income, the tax deductions, a reduction in income taxes—but for the reason of one human being helping another. These two wonderful people found that the enjoyment of giving was a gift far more rewarding than any other. Every time I saw them, after setting up the Charitable Remainder Unitrust, they would have some comment about the children being served after they had passed on.

Now that they both are gone, I know the Lord certainly has two more angels looking down on what we are doing. I also know that hundreds, maybe thousands, of children will benefit from the love offering of Dr. and Mrs. Harold Stone. I now have two more angels on my staff. They will give us all the guidance we need. If you have a piece of real estate and you're not sure what you can do with it, write and let me or Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, our Director of Major Gifts, know how we can help. Which leaves my "ad" for the month to read: "Earth hath no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal".

Please Note: This information is distributed with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expertise is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. From: A Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers.
To learn more about the Scottish Rite Pooled Income Fund, click here.

Ill. Thomas M. Boles, 33°, G.C. (left in photo) has worked extensively in fund-raising for children's programs throughout our Fraternity. For more information on planned giving, see coupon previous page or call Bro.Tom at 562–691–4227 (Fax 562–691–5327) or the Scottish Rite Foundation, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, at 202–232–3579, ext. 143.

Ill. Earl E. Ihle, Jr., 33°, recently joined our development team as Director of Major Gifts. He has been a member of the Fraternity for 25 years and served in 1978 as Master of Lafayette Lodge, No. 111, Baltimore, Maryland. He is also a member of Boumi Shrine Temple in Baltimore, the York Rite, and a dual member of the Scottish Rite Valleys of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. You can reach Bro. Ihle toll free at 1–800–486–3331.