Profiles Why I Give

By Sandy Mulligan

Sandy’s dedication and commitment to High Hopes is inspirational. A donor since 1991, she’s always been willing to support our greatest needs. Sandy is also an active member of our dedicated volunteer corps that changes lives. As she reflects on her relationship with High Hopes, her joy for the simple act of giving back is evident. Thank you, Sandy, for being such a thoughtful and generous steward of our mission!

My husband and I started our relationship with High Hopes by attending fundraisers like Symphony in the Meadows. A lovely evening outdoors on a beautiful property in Lyme. Guests would relax with boxed lunches on the lawn and enjoy the music. It was Jonathan Islieb who first invited us to the concerts, and our relationship with High Hopes began.

Several years later I began volunteering as a sidewalker. Once I started sidewalking, I found it to be a joyful experience helping the children who were in my group. And it’s not just me. All the volunteers express the same feeling - it starts when we arrive at High Hopes, leave our cars, walk towards the barn and overlook the beautiful pasture.

As a donor, I feel very fortunate to be able to help High Hopes pursue their goals. I’ve seen children improve in different ways - not just in their riding but their confidence, a feeling of belonging and friendship. You have to remember that in some cases the children have

Solutions

If you are aged 70 ½ or older, you may benefit from gifting some or all of your required minimum distribution from your IRA to High Hopes. This is known as the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) and popularly called the Charitable IRA Rollover. Any never seen a horse this close. They might not even want to touch a horse - yet in two or three weeks they are happily riding. qualified contribution up to $100,000 counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD). Your spouse may also make a qualified charitable distribution up to $100,000. What is the tax benefit?

At the end of the season, during Horse Show Days, their parents are invited. When ribbons and praise are offered to the riders from the staff, it’s so very moving to watch tears of joy on the parent’s faces - seeing their child happily ride with confidence.

In order to keep High Hopes providing these experiences, I also donated to the endowment fund. It is not just helping the children; it’s making a difference in families. Certainly, a win-win for us all. It was important to both my husband and myself to include High Hopes in our estate planning.

One of the reasons I give to High Hopes is because I can see immediate and fulfilling results.

I feel comfortable in my choice making High Hopes a priority. The organization is beautifully run, feels like a family, everyone cares, and it’s so important to me and worth my philanthropy.

Under current law, every IRA account holder must withdraw a required minimum distribution (RMD) annually beginning at age 73.  The RMD is treated

I started volunteering at High Hopes after retiring from a college program in Mystic. I’d served on committees, Boards and in schools, but not anywhere like High Hopes.

I had ridden for years in my youth and thought it would be fun; it was a way to get my “horse fix” and be outdoors too. After orientation I decided the best way to get to know the horses was to feed and work in the barn. For several years I arrived every Tuesday morning before 8:00 AM and fed. It was wonderful to be outside and be around horses. I got to know the herd, and some very dedicated volunteers and staff.

After feeding we would move into the barn and fill feed bags, sweep, or clean stalls or paddocks- really any tasks the barn staff needed. In winter, we would come inside and take a tea break and defrost. In the heat of summer, we would cool off in the AC before going back out. The staff would offer classes on how to clean tack, the anatomy of a horse, horse health -- many topics. That was another way to meet other volunteers.

A few years later I began working in Program. I really enjoyed working in the program. I was learning from the instructors and seeing the progress the students made. It was so rewarding to be a part of their as ordinary income for tax purposes.  A qualified charitable distribution counts toward your required minimum distribution.

You do not receive a tax deduction for a QCD from a regular IRA; the transfer is not recognized as taxable income. Because a QCD reduces income and is not an itemized deduction, the gift benefits even those donors who do not itemize.

Why I Volunteer

By Sarah Hill Canning

Sarah has volunteered at High Hopes since 2003. She has served on the Board since 2007, on various Board committees and is presently Chair of the Governance Committee. Sarah lives in Stonington.

successes. I met some wonderful participants.

Lauren Fitzgerald asked a group of us if we would like to train to carriage drive with participants. High Hopes needed more drivers for the program. There were three or four of us who came each week to drive with Lauren for more than a year. What an opportunity! It has been so much fun.

Why do I volunteer? Certainly, I was brought up volunteering. But when I started those many years ago at High Hopes, I had no idea what a profound experience it would be and how much it would mean to me - in my core. I have met wonderful people. I have seen things happen here that I could not see anywhere else. I have witnessed both horses and instructors connect with participants in ways no one else seems to be able to connect. Volunteering at High Hopes has helped me through difficult times. It is rewarding and fun and sometimes very poignant to be a part of bringing joy or calm, accomplishment or a bit of selfesteem to a participant.

I have often said as I leave for the day, that I get more from volunteering than I could possibly ever give. It is the truth.

For info on how you can volunteer please visit highhopestr.org

If this gift sounds like a good fit and you’d like to explore this option, please contact Claire Gadrow, Development Director, cgadrow@highhopestr.org 860-434-1974, ext. 122.