Blue Slipper Stories
Widows’ Guild Newsletter ̵ Summer 2021
Though she reminisces on the times she’s helped strangers, her favorite memories are of helping Willy. “We liked to fix things and build. Willy liked cars and worked on his old 1929 Model A. He got it painted, and I did the upholstery inside,” Mary Anne said. “He was left-handed, and I’m right-handed, so we couldn’t always work together, but we were a partnership.”
A BEACON OF LIGHT Mary Anne O’Neil recalls her late husband, Willy, telling her to “turn off that beacon” shining on her head when they were shopping at a mall one holiday season. That beacon Willy referred to was the invisible glow he believed attracted so many people who were in need of assistance to Mary Anne. Mary Anne has been helping others her whole life. Her love for helping grew in 2006 when she volunteered with a Boy Scout troop. “I took the children on fishing trips and car races. They weren’t my kids, but I got more involved because their parents weren’t,” Mary Anne said. “I realized it gave me a real sense of fulfillment.” Throughout her 62 years, Mary Anne has helped dozens of people. From a stranded family at a gas pump needing to escape a bad situation, to bringing her new puppy to a hospital to cheer up her husband and the other patients, making others feel good is “natural” for Mary Anne. “You bend and do things for the people you love,” Mary Anne said.
Mary Anne recalls many other memories with Willy, especially the ones they shared with their American Eskimo dog, Danny. The couple traveled around the country in their motorhome to breed shows with Danny. After Willy’s passing in July 2020, Mary Anne continues to attend breed shows and, most importantly, she’s still busy helping others. Mary Anne recently became a member of the Masonic Widows’ Guild and says she hopes to reach out and extend her helping hand to other widows in similar situations by using the Widow’s Guild Directory. “I want to help,” Mary Anne said. “If you need a ride to an appointment or a screen fixed, I’ll be there. I can’t knit with you, but I’ll have a cup of coffee and chat.” Due to pandemic restrictions, Mary Anne hasn’t had the opportunity to meet any of the other members of the Guild, but she said she is looking forward to creating new relationships now that it’s time to get out and about. “I’m here to share a smile, and share their smile,” Mary Anne said, and, as Willy would say, her beacon of light. *Mary Anne resides in North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, PA.
GREETINGS FROM LINDA JACKSON Relations Administrator Happy summer! As we are now past the COVID-19 pandemic, I hope this newsletter finds you in good spirits and feeling optimistic. As restrictions have lifted, life appears to be getting back normal, and I hope you have been able to resume activities with family and friends, vacations and many other social interactions we all missed. On May 22, I had the opportunity to honor our Masonic widows at a memorial service sponsored by Barger Lodge No. 325 in Stroudsburg, PA. Spearheaded by Keith Doyle, D.D.G.M.-50, the event was organized by Mark Andersen, Worshipful Master, to honor those members who were lost this past year, when funeral and memorial services were restricted by state and funeral home regulations. The Monroe County Joint Veterans Honor Guard paid tribute to our veterans with a Flag Ceremony. Widows from District 50 were invited to receive their Blue Slipper pin and become members of the Masonic Widows’ Guild. I was honored to present pins to Mrs. Patricia Bush, Mrs. Marleen Courtright, Mrs. Barbara Heller, Mrs. Susan Hendricks and Mrs. Judith Wolfe. Widows’ Guild member Mrs. Alison Scheafer was also in attendance. (New members not in attendance: Mrs. Charlene Bush, Mrs. Eleanor Rogers and Mrs. Bernice Stange.)
I know, as a result of conversations with many of you, this past year has been challenging in many ways, but I trust you have comfort in knowing that as a member of the Masonic Widows’ Guild, help and support is always just a phone call away. It gives me pleasure to report that although in-person widow events were suspended for well over a year, the Widows’ Guild continued to grow. The February edition of “Blue Slipper Stories” newsletter was mailed to over 14,000 Masonic Widows inviting them to membership, and many have joined. Our in-person events have resumed, and I look forward to continuing to grow the Guild and helping more through the Outreach Program. Remember, if you would like a copy of the Widows’ Guild Directory, please email me at lmjackson@masonicvillages.org or call 717-367-1121, ext. 33497. Stay safe, and stay well.
It was truly a wonderful day of remembrance and fellowship.
CONSIDER A MOVE TO A MASONIC VILLAGE Across our Masonic Villages, you have a team of people who care about you. Inside the safety and comfort of our beautiful campuses, all necessary services are available, so you can live worry-free today and in the future. You'll also enjoy exceptional amenities, distinct dining and friendly neighbors. To contact the Sales and Marketing team at your preferred location, visit www.masonicvillages.org.
THE SAVY GIVER By Brother Alvin H. Blitz, Esq.
Chief Gift Planning Officer, Masonic Villages I was visiting with a PA Masonic Widow, Ann, in Clearwater, FL, the other day. Ann enjoys making gifts to her favorite charities, but she vented to me about her frustration over never being able to save any taxes for her generosity because her standard deduction each year exceeds all of her charitable gifts. She asked what she should do to maximize her giving potential. I told Ann that she has to be a “Savvy Giver” when she parts with her hard-earned dollars, or her friends in Washington will thank her for sending it their way. She asked me what I meant by being a Savvy Giver. I told her to follow these commandments of giving when she decides on supporting her favorite charities. 1. Thou Shall Give By Qualified Charitable Distribution if older than 70½. - Hands down, this is the number one way to give to charity if you are over 70½ and have a traditional IRA. You avoid tax on any amount from your IRA given to charity, which is like getting a free tax deduction. Yes, it’s more complicated than writing a check; but once you do, you will never look back. I instructed Ann to contact our office for her FREE Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) Kit, and then talk to her advisor about dividing up her QCD among her favorite charities, including the Masonic Charities. I reminded Ann that if she doesn’t need her Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), then turning it into a QCD is an added benefit. 2. Thou Shall Consider Giving Stock, ETF or Mutual Fund Gifts to Charity Instead of Cash - Too many times, I see donors miss this savvy giving tip. You have a stock, ETF or Mutual Fund you bought years ago, and you are feeling good about how much it has gone up, but you can’t sell it because of all the capital gains taxes you would pay. Well, for the Savvy Giver, there is another alternative. You can give that appreciated stock, ETF or Mutual Fund to your favorite charity, get a deduction for the current value AND avoid the
capital gains taxes on what you gave away. That’s a DOUBLE WIN! Even if you can’t use the deduction, you still avoid the taxes. You can make this kind of gift at ANY age. Contact our office for further information on the Savvy Giver Stock Gift. 3. Thou Shall Always Give up to $300 in Cash to Charity Even if You DON’T ITEMIZE! - This is another no-brainer. The new tax law permits you to deduct up to $300 in cash gifts to charity if you don’t itemize your taxes. This is like getting a “Free Spin” card on “Wheel of Fortune.” Whatever you do after reading this article, don’t miss out on this freebie. 4. Thou Shall Engage with Your Favorite Charities When Making Gifts - Don’t be a passive giver. Be an ACTIVE giver. A Savvy Giver calls the charity and asks them what he or she can do to help; then directs his or her gift to help the charity in a way that satisfies the needs and desires of the donor and charity. That is what I call FUN Savvy Giving. These are my favorite Savvy Givers. They always know the JOY of giving. Try it! You might just like it. 5. Thou Shall ALWAYS READ the “Blue Slipper Newsletter” and contact Linda Jackson at the Masonic Charities if you need help. This is the greatest commandment. Her phone number is 1-800-599-6454 or email her at lmjackson@masonicvillages.org. After Ann read my five commandments (ten commandants is too long), she asked me to help her decide on how to make a gift to support the Masonic Widows in need at the Masonic Villages. She wanted to make a gift of $20,000. She sent a QCD check to Masonic Villages for $10,000, which was her RMD for 2021, and transferred $10,000 in Exxon stock she has owned for years to Masonic Villages. Her gift will go a long way in helping less fortunate Masonic widows. Ann was a very HAPPY Savvy Giver! Follow these commandments, and you can be a happy Savvy Giver too.
Leave a Legacy: Please Consider Including Masonic Charities in Your Will or Estate Plan.
Masonic Widows Guild Program 12 Village Green Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022
Blue Slipper Stories
Widows’ Guild Newsletter ̵ Summer 2021
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In This Issue...
A BEACON OF LIGHT GREETINGS FROM LINDA JACKSON THE SAVY GIVER The Pennsylvania Masonic Widows’ Guild is in place to recognize, honor and support the widows of Pennsylvania Masons. If you have questions about the Widows’ Guild or would like to become a member and receive your blue slipper pin, please call Relations Administrator Linda Jackson at 1-800-599-6454 or email lmjackson@masonicvillages.org.