Giving Back A Little More

A retired school teacher, George doesn't have great material wealth. But if your measure of wealth is serving others, nurturing healthy relationships, and enjoying the simple blessings inherent in a day, George is a very wealthy man. After graduation from high school, George spent a short time working with the immigration service in Helena. It was through volunteer work at the local YMCA that George recognized his gift at working with children, and soon pursued a career in teaching. His first teaching assignment was in 1961 in Boulder. (Interesting side note - among his Boulder students was actor Patrick Duffy.) George accepted a teaching job in Missoula two years later, and has claimed Missoula as home ever since.

From 1965 to 1979, George spent his summers working at Intermountain in Helena, serving in a variety of roles including relief houseparent and summer recreation program. Some of his work at Intermountain helped him earn college credit towards his masters in counseling, and he also did his practicum through Intermountain. George has many fond memories of his summers at Intermountain, or the "Deac" as it was called at that time. "I would help the kids sell Fanny Farmer candy to fund summer rec trips," recalls George. "I remember one trip to Canada - we caught over 500 pounds of northern pike and walleye."

In Intermountain's archives is an issue of Fine Gold that includes an article about George and his service to Intermountain. Bob Wix, who was Executive Director at that time, said of George, "The Home has benefitted greatly from George being here. When measuring the value of his help it must be mentioned that his calm but effective manner with the children has been most helpful to all at the Home."

It has been many years since George spent his summers working at Intermountain, but he has maintained his close relationship with the organization. He is a regular visitor to the Helena campus for special events, and also serves on the President's Council.

This summer, George used the proceeds from the sale of his home in Missoula to establish a sizable life income gift with Intermountain. Why a life income gift? "It's a way to give back to Intermountain while also meeting my own financial needs," explains George. George says that the income from the annuity is a healthy supplement of his annual income. "I can depend on the income source for as long as I live," continues George, "and the gift annuity is providing me with a better rate of return than what I could get through CDs."

After signing the agreement for the gift annuity, George said he had one further matter to tend to before he left. "How do I set up automatic withdrawal to become a monthly 'Caring Friend' donor?"

Touched by his generosity, I asked him before he left - "George, how do you want to be remembered?" George reflected a moment and humbly responded, "I guess as someone who gave back a little more than I got." His generosity over the years suggest that George has been very grateful indeed for all that he has received.

----- Terry Chaney, Development Director