A PUBLICATION OF THE CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
LEE GAT TA & JOE REDDICK: COMMUNITY CAREGIVERS PG.7
2021 L I V I N G L E GAC I E S - 2021
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PETER A. DUNN PRESIDENT & CEO
Dear Friends, Legacy is less about what is left behind than what lives on. The Community Foundation is built on legacy. In 1927, a small group of thoughtful, committed local residents came together to create a permanent source of charitable support for Central New York. Many of the gifts that helped establish the foundation continue to support the community today. These legacy gifts are endowed to live on for future generations. So, too, are the stories that accompany them. In the inaugural installment of Living Legacies, we honor and celebrate the vision of our legacy donors, past and present, with stories of compassion, resilience and inspiration.
EVENTS & OFFERINGS The spirit of generosity that is common among our donors and nonprofit partners encompasses more than just tangible resources and monetary
With gratitude,
Our legacy planning workbook includes a series of exercises and writing prompts to help you document your charitable inspirations in your own words. The workbook is available in both digital and print formats.
gifts. When we engage in philanthropy, we are telling the world what is important to us through the causes we support. Sharing your story and
Peter Dunn
WORKBOOK
giving voice to the life lessons and experiences that have shaped your
WORKSHOPS
own generosity is another form of giving back.
The Community Foundation offers
In addition to preserving your charitable legacy for future generations, telling the story of what motivates your philanthropy can inspire others to take action and effect positive change. Sometimes, shedding light on our memories can help illuminate a path toward hope and comfort for others who have shared a similar experience. Alternatively, we might find that an early act of kindness from our childhood or a long-held family tradition is reflected in our current giving. No matter where you are in your life, telling your story and sharing what
workshops for individuals and community groups interested in engaging with civic-minded peers in a supportive atmosphere. These interactive workshops explore values-based exercises and communal conversation to help participants reflect on their giving stories and giving visions.
matters most is a valuable exercise. Of course, getting started is often the hardest part. Because your story is important to us, we have devised a series of tools and resources designed to help you find your voice, and each of these are available in-person or remotely.
MEETINGS We can meet with you individually, or with your family, to facilitate a
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To learn more about Community Foundation legacy events and offerings,
conversation about what matters
please contact Jan Lane at legacy@cnycf.org or (315) 883-5546. Learn
to you most and how we can help
more at cnycf.org.
preserve your charitable legacy.
CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNIT Y FOUNDATION
RON & MARGARET PECKHAM CHARITABLE GIVING: ALL IN THE FAMILY
Ron and Margaret Peckham believe you make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give. Through the Peckham Family Fund, they are making a life and a legacy in Central New York. Ron, a former engineer, and
Ron and Margaret’s story is a great
Margaret, a retired teacher, have
example of one of the myriad
lived in the same house for almost
ways donors may engage family
40 years. Central New York is the
members in giving. By discussing
place where they raised their
their charitable interests and
three children and now host their
wishes with their children ahead
grandchildren during holidays and
of time, they have created an
family gatherings.
opportunity for the family to ask questions and gain deeper
Both Margaret and Ron were
understanding of their core values.
raised by parents who instilled in them a strong appreciation for
No matter which option is best for
giving back. Perhaps it should
your family, talking about giving
come as no surprise, then, that
is a crucial step toward inspiring
family and community are at the
future generations. Where and why
heart of their giving.
we give is personal. Sharing your stories and experiences, especially
“We have three children and
those relating to charitable giving
we have essentially considered
and civic engagement, provides an
our donor-advised fund at the
opportunity to clarify what matters
Community Foundation as our
most and how you wish to be
fourth adopted child. The proceeds
remembered.
of our estate will be divided equally among the four of them,” Ron said.
By engaging family members from future generations as successor
Ron and Margaret have broken
advisors to the fund, Ron and
their giving down into two
Margaret are also ensuring that
phases – what they can do now
their family’s connection to
and what they can do to leave a
community impact will live on in
legacy. Their donor-advised fund,
Central New York.
partially funded with current gifts to facilitate their lifetime giving,
“This is about a lifelong
will enable even greater giving
commitment to the Syracuse
with the eventual addition of their
community,” said Ron. “My dad
combined estate gift.
used to say, ‘Many hands make light work.’ It’s our collective
This approach allows the couple
responsibility to do what we can
to directly support the community
to make our community a better
causes most important to them
place to live.”
while also preparing future
RON AND MARGARET PECKHAM
generations to perpetuate the
To learn more about options for
couple’s legacy of generosity long
preserving your charitable legacy,
after they’re gone. It is important
contact Jan Lane at
to them and their children to
legacy@cnycf.org or visit
continue the family’s multi-
5forCNY.org.
generational tradition of giving.
L I V I N G L E GAC I E S - 2021
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BEQUEST STORY
CAROL PALMER
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CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNIT Y FOUNDATION
LOCAL TEACHER LEAVES SIZEABLE BEQUEST TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY Caroline Palmer, known to her many relatives as Aunt Carol, made everyone feel special and worthy of her attention. Whether it was a family member, one of her second grade students, or a friend from church, Carol was considered a person you could count on for honesty, patience and respect.
CAROLINE PALMER (BOT TOM LEFT) WITH HER SISTERS
“She felt like a mom to me and I
In addition to helping her family
feel that she considered me as a
and the Plymouth Congregational
daughter,” Pat Shute, Carol’s niece,
Church, Carol also supported the
recalled. “She didn’t have children
Southern Poverty Law Center,
of her own but she was supportive
Berea College, the Rescue Mission,
and she treated each person as
The Salvation Army and Habitat for
they were. They were special to
Humanity.
her.” Emiel, who passed away in 2002, Carol grew up with seven sisters
and Carol worked their whole lives
and two brothers during the Great
to accumulate their wealth. Their
Depression. The family was hit
bequest, which formed the Carol
hard from the economic downfall,
W. & Emiel D. Palmer Fund at the
and her nephews attributed
Community Foundation, totaled
her giving nature to that early
nearly $300,000.
experience. Tom Griffith, vice president of “Being shaped by her own
development at the Community
impoverished childhood made her
Foundation, said Carol was drawn
want to help others, especially
to establishing an endowed
those affected by poverty,” said
community fund for its longevity.
her nephew, Mike Shute. “Part of our mission is to celebrate
CAROLINE WITH HER HUSBAND, EMIEL
Carol attended Syracuse
the legacy of people like Carol who
University followed by Hartford
care about Central New York,” he
Seminary, and then began her
said. “We are honored that she
life of service as the director of
chose to work with us in this way
Christian education at a church in
and look forward to stewarding
Connecticut. Later, she attended
her fund and her story for decades
SUNY Cortland where she received
to come.”
her master’s degree in education. She also met and married Emiel
Tom added how her legacy will
Palmer, who worked for 39 years at
carry on: “Now, Carol’s ability to
the SUNY College of Environmental
make each person feel special will
Science and Forestry. He loved folk
reach beyond her imagination
arts and charitable giving as much
as her generous spirit will live
as Carol did.
on through her fund, supporting generations of Central New
Giving was central to Carol’s life.
Yorkers.”
“It was really her way of fulfilling her Christian doctrine,” said Mike.
L I V I N G L E GAC I E S - 2021
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WHERE THERE’S A WILL, THERE’S A WAY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
SAY WHO WILL OVERSEE THE EXECUTION OF YOUR ESTATE PLAN. It is important to appoint an executor/ executrix — and ideally a back-up – whom you trust to carry out your wishes.
Everyone leaves a legacy and what we do today will impact how we are remembered in the future. We may not be able to control who lives or dies, but we can control who tells our story. We can tell our own story and
It is commonplace for many of us to avoid estate planning for a whole host of reasons, including avoidance or procrastination, the belief that it is strictly for older adults or those with lots of money or property, or simply because we don’t know where to start. We can start by writing a will.
NAME GUARDIANS FOR YOUR CHILDREN – AND PETS. For children or dependents under 18, you can appoint legal guardians. You can also use your will to have a say in who will look after your furry friends if they outlive you.
by passing down our values to
While it is just one of several legal documents you might consider, a will is the centerpiece of any estate plan. There are many online resources for writing a will and estate planning attorneys are increasingly offering remote will drafting services that make the process quicker and more convenient.
SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE CHARITIES.
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CENTRAL NEW YORK COMMUNIT Y FOUNDATION
even help write the epilogue – children and grandchildren, by sharing our personal and family histories and life lessons, and by leaving meaningful and lasting
PROVIDE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES.
gifts to loved ones, community and
Making a will allows you to define how your assets will be distributed – and to whom – upon your death. Articulating your final wishes through your will can also spare your loved ones from having to fill in the blanks during a time of grieving when you are gone.
charity. To learn more about options for preserving your charitable legacy, contact Jan Lane at jlane@cnycf.org or visit 5forCNY.org.
You can use your will to direct bequest gifts to your favorite charitable causes. This is a simple and straightforward way to define your charitable legacy and make a lasting difference for future generations.
SUPPORT YOUR COMMUNITY. A growing number of community members are recognizing the importance of keeping their charitable dollars in Central New York as wealth transfer projections predict unprecedented levels of wealth passing from one generation to the next, much of it leaving our community to heirs living out of town. This kind of boost could provide a permanent source of funding for local organizations and causes that will greatly improve the lives of our friends and neighbors.
JAN LANE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
LEE & JOE COMMUNITY CAREGIVERS
L
ee Gatta and her husband,
supports programs that promote
Joe Reddick, feel blessed by
self-sufficiency for women and
the support they have received
girls and educates women and girls
over the years from Syracuse
about philanthropy.
and Central New York. It was the community’s support that inspired
“None of us would have gotten
them to give back by establishing a
where we are today without
charitable giving plan through the
someone in our lives to encourage
Community Foundation.
and mentor us, and many of the young people in our community
For both Lee and Joe, their
do not have that,” said Lee. “The
firsthand experiences with family
Women’s Fund is helping to fill that
caregiving were labors of love
gap and we are devoted to helping
and catalysts for future giving.
them achieve their goals.”
They became caregivers for Lee’s mother, Elinor W. Gatta, after she
Lee and Joe had their sights set
had her third stroke, which blinded
on a charitable gift much larger
her and caused some paralysis.
than they were comfortable
Lee found that caregivers need
contributing now, so they decided
assistance navigating the range of
to use a life insurance policy
services available for their loved
to achieve their goal. The life
ones and to find time to take care
insurance proceeds at Lee’s death
of themselves.
will fund the Lee M. Gatta and Joe Reddick Fund, which will provide
“We would like to provide
funding in the Central New York
opportunities that lighten the
community for issues that are
load for those that carry so much
of primary importance to them:
responsibility for the care of
the support of women and girls
another,” said Lee.
through the work of the Women’s Fund, eldercare and cancer
The couple, in coordination with
care coordination and caregiver
family members and friends, also
support.
played a crucial role in supporting Joe’s mother, Dorothy Dale
They chose an insurance policy
Reddick; his sister, Joanne Reddick;
with terms that fit their goals and
and brother, Maxi Reddick, during
the Community Foundation agreed
their respective battles with
to be both owner and beneficiary
cancer.
of the policy. Their continued gifts to cover the policy premiums
“Many organizations provided
are eligible for a tax deduction.
information along the way, offering
The flexibility of life insurance
emotional support to our loved
allows this option to be tailored
ones and to us. This is our way of
to each donor’s unique situation.
showing our appreciation,” said
Their fund will carry on for many
Joe.
generations, designed to take care of the community that has taken
Family remembrance was equally
care of them.
pivotal in Lee’s introduction to
LEE AND JOE STAND ON THE QUAD OF SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, WHICH HOLDS A PROMINENT PLACE IN THEIR HEARTS AS THE CENTER OF THE CITY WHERE THEY GIVE. JOE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE GREATER SYRACUSE SPORTS HALL OF FAME IN 2018.
the Women’s Fund of Central New
Lee and Joe’s selfless generosity
York. She was asked to serve on
will have a significant impact on
its Leadership Council as a way
the causes they care about long
to honor her sister-in-law, Joanne
after they are gone, leaving a
Reddick, after her death. The
lasting legacy that changes the
Women’s Fund, an affiliate fund
lives of others and inspires the
of the Community Foundation,
community to do the same.
L I V I N G L E GAC I E S - 2021
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BOARD
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HONORABLE JULIE A. CECILE CASEY CRABILL, ED.D. KARIN SLOAN DELANEY, ESQ. CARAGH D. FAHY, CFP ® DANIEL J. FISHER
PRESIDENT & CEO
KIMBERLY P. SADOWSKI, CPA
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
ELIZABETH T. HARTMAN, CPA
Controller
KATE FELDMEIER FRANZ
KYMBERLE BENDERSKI
Manager, Foundation & Facility Operations
LEE GAT TA, CLU ® , CHFC ® , AEP ®
DANA FIEL
Vice President, Communications
TERRI M. EVANS
Communications Officer
Finance Associate
BEA GONZÁLEZ
Administrative Associate
KATRINA M. CROCKER JULIET R. MALOFF DARA M. HARPER
Events & Communications Associate
DEVELOPMENT THOMAS M. GRIFFITH, AEP ® , CAP ® , CHFC ®
DR. EMAD RAHIM, PMP, OMCP, CSM, CM, CKF, CCPM
Vice President, Development
REBECCA BRONFEIN RAPHAEL
Senior Director, Philanthropic Services
MONICA M. MERANTE,
CAP ®
JAN L. LANE
KEVIN E. SCHWAB
Development Officer
GENERAL COUNSEL
Development Officer
MARY ANNE CODY, ESQ.
Manager, Strategic Initiatives
COMMUNICATIONS
GRACE B. GHEZZI, CPA/PFS/CFF, CFP ® , CFE, AEP ®
MICHAEL F. MEATH
DASHIELL M. ELLIOT T
GERIANNE P. CORRADINO
Finance Manager
CAROLYN GERAKOPOULOS
ROBYN L. SMITH
Director, Strategic Initiatives
SEAN REED JR.
DARRELL D. BUCKINGHAM
SUSAN FURTNEY, MPH
DANIELLE M. JOHNSON
Director, Grants & Programs
Program Officer
Accountant
MARK A. FULLER, CPA
LARRY R. LEATHERMAN
FRANK M. RIDZI, PHD
Vice President, Community Investment
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
STEPHEN D. FOURNIER
DAREN C. JAIME
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
PETER A. DUNN
SAY YES SYRACUSE AHMEED H. TURNER
Executive Director
DANA E. LYONS-CANTY
Manager, Post-secondary Scholarship Access and Completion
PRAGYA S. MURPHY, MBA JENNY E. GREEN
Manager, Philanthropic Services
MEMBERS OF OUR LEGACY SOCIETY AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2020 ANONYMOUS (88) LESTER C. ALLEN EUGENE G. ARMANI PAMELA V. ASHMEAD ANNETTE LINDEMER BECKER RONALD & CAROLE BECKMAN ANNETTE & LEE BENSON CATHERINE BERTINI PATRICIA+ & WALTER BLACKLER STEVEN BLIND VICKI BRACKENS WILLIAM V. BRENNAN THOMAS A. BRISK+ & GERALD M. MAGER HAROLD BRISTOL PHILLIP+ & HELEN BUCK MINNA R. BUCK ALICIA & DICK CALAGIOVANNI ANNE M. CARNICELLI KATHLEEN A. CARPENTER JAMES CASASANTA & CATHERINE CASASANTA JOHN G. CHOMYK SYLVIA & WILLIAM COHEN MARILYN F. CROSBY MICHAEL & ELAINE CROUGH BOB & JOAN DERRENBACKER PETER J. EMERSON PAUL M. ENGLE TIMOTHY & KAYE FENLON (+) INDICATES DECEASED MEMBER OF A LEGACY COUPLE
RALPH FERRARA DORRIS A. FOX MARC B. FRIED IAN GALLACHER & JULIA MCKINSTRY LEE M. GATTA & JOE REDDICK BARBARA W. GENTON LINDA DICKERSON HARTSOCK MR.+ & MRS. BURNETT D. HAYLOR WILLIAM & SANDRA HEMMERLEIN BERNIE G. HENDERSON LINDA L. HENLEY PATRICIA A. HOFFMAN ALEXANDER+ & CHARLOTTE HOLSTEIN JOYCE DAY HOMAN MR. & MRS. ROBERT L. HOOD DR. PETER & MARY HUNTINGTON SANDRA HURD & JOEL POTASH ELAINE & STEVEN L. JACOBS ELSPETH J.C. KERR MRS. SALLY KIMBALL KATHLEEN & JAMES KINSEY JESSE KLINE MARIE M. KLOSSNER MR. & MRS. JOHN H. KOERNER GEORGE & LUELLA KRAHL JIM & HARRIET KEYSOR LECHANDER MARTHA LEOPOLD H. RICHARD LEVY ZALIE & BOB LINN
ANNE GILMOUR LLOYD JAMES E. MACKIN, ESQ. CANDACE & JOHN MARSELLUS JIM & RUTH MARSHALL HENRY & DONNA MCINTOSH GAIL M. MCINTYRE ELISA MESCON ANNE L. MESSENGER JOAN M. MILLER ALLAN H. & HELEN C. MISKELL PAMELA KIP REISMAN MONACO PAULINE M. MONZ STEPHEN W. MOYER MR. & MRS. JOHN J. MURPHY, III JANET P. & RICHARD W. NEWMAN KATHRYN NICKERSON MARTIN NOLAN THEODORE H. & MARY-PAT NORTHRUP JAMES A. O’CONNOR MARGARET G. OGDEN MARY PAT OLIKER MARGARET & RON PECKHAM STEVE PEKICH EILEEN B. PHILLIPS RICHARD B. & NEVA S. PILGRIM J. DANIEL PLUFF WILLIAM G. POMEROY LUCINDA PORTER MR. & MRS.+ WILLIAM W. PORTER
MARCIA & JAMES QUIGLEY CONSTANCE M. QUINN JON L.+ & JOYCE P. REGIER ROGER & MAGGIE REID NICHOLAS & AGNES+ RENZI MR. & MRS. JEFF & RACHEL RONEY JODI & JEFF ROWE JEFFREY RUBENSTEIN MR. DOUGLAS G. RUSSELL, LUTCF, CLU ROBERT SARASON & JANE BURKHEAD DR. ROBERT G. SARGENT PHYLLIS HOTCHKISS SCHWARTZ BONNIE & RICHARD+ SCOLARO KAREN R. SEYMOUR PAULINE J. SHARP RHODA SIKES STEPHEN H. SIMON BETSY-ANN N. STONE CELESTINE & JOHN THOMPSON CHARLES+ & CYNTHIA G. TRACY HOWARD C. TUPPER JOHN S. TUTTLE SANDRA L. VAN EPPS DR. & MRS. THOMAS R. WELCH ELIZABETH K. WELCH FRANKLIN & DIANE+ WHEELOCK LINDA VERNI WILLIAMS CATHERINE J. WINGER MR. & MRS. J. WARREN YOUNG