Planned Giving: An Expert Weighs In

‘Tis the season…to celebrate and to give back. One lasting way you can give back to a favorite charity is by making a Planned Gift. Attorney Ken Kossoff of Panitz & Kossoff, LLP is an Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Law Specialist. He is also a long-time TWCVV Board member and has been kind enough to share his expertise on Planned Giving and whether it may be an option for you.

I very much encourage clients to consider planned giving. Not all people do so. However, for those who believe their children or other family members are getting enough or have received enough during their lives, or for those people who have no children, gifts to charities are a wonderful way to leave a legacy – even if you want to do so anonymously. And for taxable estates, charitable giving allows the donor to control where their money goes, rather than leaving that to the US government to decide.

There are a number of planned giving options. Before I discuss them, I want to remind everyone that a gift during one’s life, whether in cash, appreciated stock (so the donor does not have to pay capital gains taxes), real estate or other property, is a great way not only to support a charity, but to see how the charity manages and applies your gifts so you can get some sense of how the charity will manage a planned gift that is managed and spent after your passing.

Outright Gift: In terms of planned gifts, most charities would prefer an outright gift to the charity’s general fund. This can mean naming TWCVV as a beneficiary of your trust or will, as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, or, as discussed below, as a beneficiary of a retirement account.

Gifts from Retirement Accounts: One recent form of gift that has been allowed by legislation, but will only be available for a short time unless extended by Congress, is to allow people to make a gift from their Individual Retirement Accounts directly, during life, so that the taxpayer does not first have to take a distribution from the IRA, pay taxes on the distribution, and then make the donation. There are a lot of people with substantial retirement accounts, and when the money is taken from those accounts, it will be subject to income tax – whether taken by the account participant (the person who put money into it) or by their heirs after the participant’s death.

With a substantial estate, retirement accounts also can be hit with the estate tax, which means that a retirement account can be decimated by the income and estate tax hit. Thus, charities make good beneficiaries of retirement accounts, because charities will not have to pay income tax on the amounts received, and for taxable estates, the participant’s estate will get an estate tax deduction for the value of the gift. It is important to make sure you consult with your attorney, CPA or financial advisor, because rules regarding retirement accounts are complicated.

Charitable Remainder and Lead Trusts: One popular gift structure is called a charitable remainder trust (CRT). During life, the owner donates an appreciated asset (stocks, real estate, etc.) to a trust they create, and gets a tax deduction for the donation. The CRT pays no capital gains taxes and invests all of the donated property for the donor; if the donor had sold the assets and invested them herself, the amount invested would be after capital gains taxes that the CRT does not have to pay. During the life of the donors, or for a term of years, the income generated by the trust is paid to the donor. A CRT leaves the “remainder” – what’s left after the death of the donors or the term of years – to a charity.

Finally, for people with more than $1,000,000 to donate, private foundations can be very useful. Putting aside the good that large amounts of money can do those in need, private foundations provide families with the opportunity to involve younger generations in identifying worthy charities, and overseeing how the charitable dollars are spent.

After hearing about the many charitable options – and these are not all of them – some people employ one of them, others employ more than one, and others employ none of them and just write a check to the charity. Any decision involving a substantial gift should be made in consultation with your professional advisors.

To learn more about leaving a legacy to support the mission of TWCVV, please click here or contact president Suzanne Drace at 805-371-0417.

Remembering Nancy

In October of 2006, one year after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Nancy Colton wanted to give back to the fight against cancer. Along with her mother, Harriet Wasserman, Nancy decided to hold a Breast Cancer Awareness luncheon to raise funds for a cancer support charity. Six years later, that luncheon has grown into a beloved tradition of generosity and a way for Harriet to uphold the memory of her daughter, who we sadly lost in 2009.

On October 22, Nearly 80 women gathered at the home of Harriet’s friends Debbie and Scott Steinhart for the Sixth Annual Luncheon. The group included longtime friends, family members, and fellow support group members from The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura (TWCVV). This year, the funds raised at the luncheon were donated to TWCVV, where Nancy and Harriet found hope and friendship through support groups, yoga, and other programs when Nancy was going through treatment. So that more of the funds from the luncheon could go directly to TWCVV, all of the food was donated by two catering companies that Harriet’s son is involved in: Bruce’s Catering and Lunchbox.

Since her election to the Board of Directors in 2006, Harriet has been a champion for TWCVV through her leadership and constant dedication. “I really enjoy being on the Board, and I look forward to each fundraising event to help keep the doors of TWCVV open,” says Harriet. When asked what keeps her motivated to take on the planning and hosting duties of the luncheon each year, she says, “My motivation is to keep giving back in Nancy’s name and to keep her memory alive.”

Nancy’s memory was ever-present at this year’s luncheon, in the minds of all the women who attended, and in the words of a speech she had first given three years ago, which Harriet repeated. Nancy’s sense of humor jumps off the page, but she also manages to make the poignancy of the gathering come alive with just a simple sentence at the end.

Below is Nancy’s speech from 2008, read by Harriet at the 2011 luncheon:

As I look around today we have gathered together quite an eclectic group of women. There are women here that have been friends with my mom since they were kids growing up, women who have known me since I was a kid growing up. There are women that I’ve been friends with for close to 30 years whose wedding and baby showers we attended. There are friends from the office, friends from the “hood,” friends who I share with on a weekly basis as part of my support group at TWC. There are people here that don’t know me at all, or have met me only once at an event. And there are family members and friends of my mom or mine who were inspired to bring some of their friends along today.

Now some of you that were here last year may be back hoping that my brother again made his famous bread pudding. He did. And there may be some who are here because of the chance to win one of the coveted raffle prizes, there are many. But I believe the truth is you are here because there is a special bond, a unique energy that is truly powerful and empowering when we gather together a group of women to help our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.

One Family, Many Lives Touched

David Wank became a supporter of The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura after seeing how much the organization helped his father during his experience with bladder cancer more than ten years ago. David was elected to the Board of Directors of TWCVV in 2003 and has chaired the Building and Grounds Committee since 2006. David’s unwavering perseverance and dedication helped make the Garden of Hope a reality. His wife Tami and their three children, Justin 14, Hayley 12, and Morgan, 9, have all found their own ways to help support the cancer patients and families who rely on TWCVV for hope. David was kind enough to share his family’s story with us.

Your connection to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura is through your father, who benefited from their services during his fight with cancer. How did TWCVV help him?

I think this could be said best in my father's words. My father, Melvin, was a strong proud man who would not ask anyone for help, yet, he turned to The Wellness Community for support when he found out he had bladder cancer in 1998. In early 2000, after an MRI reported that his cancer was gone (unfortunately this was false), he wrote a note to The Wellness Community. Unfortunately, he was never able to send it.

After his passing I found the note while cleaning out his desk. The note thanks [Co-Founder and VP of Programs] Marty, [group facilitator] Tony, [group facilitator] Peggy and others for their love and concern for him. He goes on and says, “The most important things are love of family, friends, positive attitude, doctors, medicine, and The Wellness Community.” He ends his note by saying, “Tell my fellow cancer patients never give up.”

For my father to thank The Wellness Community for their love and support showed me how important The Wellness Community is in helping others.

What made you go from being an appreciative family member of a participant, to a dedicated supporter of The Wellness Community's mission?

I felt I wanted to help those who helped my father during the toughest battle of his life.

How did you get involved in chairing the Building and Grounds Committee? How did this lead to the idea of the Garden of Hope?

I was asked to Chair the Building and Grounds Committee in 2006. At the time I was one of the only board members working in commercial real estate.

Being in real estate, I enjoy looking at property and figuring out what might make a building more desirable. I always felt that The Wellness Community’s property was underutilized. I was also informed that we could use more office and group space. We knew we could not expand the building so we started looking for different options.

Ken Kossoff, past President of the board, and I thought it would be ideal to utilize the corner of the property and to make the property more functional. At the time the front was just a very big lawn. Both of us were aware of the Cancer Survivors’ Garden in Palm Springs. We decided that it would be ideal to have the front of the building be a nice garden where people could come, sit, contemplate, and relax with an added benefit of having groups and classes outside. With a lot of help from others and a very supportive Board of Directors we went ahead and started what is now the Garden of Hope.

In 2005 you opened your home to the public for the Holiday Homes Tour, one of TWCVV’s largest fundraisers. What made your family decide to take on this commitment?

My wife, Tami, is amazing. When we were asked if we would include our home in the Holiday Homes Tour, we never thought twice about not having it.

Tami and I never decorated our house for the holidays before, so we hired decorators, shopped for decorations, and turned our home into a festive delight. We had a great and unforgettable time. To quote my wife Tami, “It was one of the most gratifying experiences and fulfilling in so many ways. It was very exciting to see so many people enjoying our home. Our children were filled with such pride and a time they will always remember.”

After the Holiday Homes Tour, since our home was already decorated, we threw a holiday party and invited the Board of Directors and friends. We had a donation box and raised money for The Wellness Community

Can you describe how your children have supported TWCVV and encouraged others to do the same?

I am so proud of my children, Justin 14, Hayley 12, and Morgan 9. Each one of them, at their own choosing, decided for some of their birthdays they would not ask for presents but ask their guests to donate money to The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura. Other friends of my children have also done the same for their birthday parties.

What has motivated you and your family to continue being such strong supporters of TWCVV throughout the years?

As with my father, The Wellness Community helps those who are in need. Once you or a loved one has cancer enter their lives you feel lost and alone, not knowing where to go. Having the support of The Wellness Community helps during very trying times. Also, I feel by helping The Wellness Community I can actually see what our time and money go to and how it helps others. It's a wonderful feeling.

Photo Captions: Top - David, Tami, and their two daughters attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Garden of Hope. (Their son Justin is not pictured.) Photo by Judi Bumstead.
Middle: David participates in the ground breaking ceremony for the Garden of Hope. Photo by Jan Hendry.
Bottom: Tami and David participate in the live auction at the 2011 Celebration of Life Gala to benefit TWCVV. Photo by Judi Bumstead.

The Wellness Community Kicks Off New Support Group With a Seminar on Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment

The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura kicks off a new lung cancer networking group with a free educational seminar led by a UCLA lung cancer physician. “Progress in the Management of Lung Cancer” presented by Edward Garon, MD, takes place on Tuesday, June 21 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at 530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361. The seminar and networking group are open to lung cancer patients, survivors and family members. The lung cancer networking group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm, beginning July 5, at the same address as the seminar. Psychotherapist Peggy Johnston, MFT will facilitate. Johnston has been a cancer support group facilitator at The Wellness Community for 11 years. The seminar and the group are both free, but registration is required. Call (805) 379-4777 to register or learn more.

In April, for the first time in four decades, the National Cancer Institute reported a decline in lung cancer deaths for women. The lung cancer death rate for men began to decrease in the early 1990s. In the seminar Dr. Garon will discuss additional encouraging trends in treatment, clinical trials, and management of side effects. Dr. Garon is a physician and researcher at the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been awarded a UCLA Lung SPORE Career Development Award in 2007, a Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research award in 2007, the Tower Cancer Research Foundation Career Development Award in 2008, and a Lincy Foundation Grant in 2008. His interests are in gastrointestinal, pancreatic and lung oncology. Dr. Garon sees patients and conducts clinical trials at his private practice in Santa Monica.


The seminar kicks off a new support group geared exclusively to lung cancer patients and survivors. The group will be led by a professional therapist and is free of charge.

Kathy Joosten, a ten-year lung cancer survivor and an Emmy Award-winning actress, encouraged The Wellness Community to form a group to address the specific needs of lung cancer patients and survivors. “I am delighted that they are forming this group because it is essential for lung cancer patients to find support from people who are undergoing the same kinds of fears, expenses, body changes, chemotherapy, and radiation,” says Joosten, who senses a “subtle agreement” among people, even patients themselves, to not talk about lung cancer as much as other types of cancer. She adds, “We need a place where people who have remained silent until now can come together and talk about the disease.” Joosten has starred on many hit television series including The West Wing and Desperate Housewives.

Free Seminar Will Present New Advances in Prostate Cancer Treatment

Dr. Robert Princenthal will present “Advances in Prostate MRI, Detection and Staging” on Saturday, June 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, 530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361. This seminar is part of The Wellness Community’s professional support services offered to prostate cancer patients and their loved ones, including a monthly networking group and a bi-weekly support group. The seminar and support groups are free of charge. Call (805) 379-4777 to RSVP or learn more.

Dr. Princenthal’s seminar will focus on new advances in Prostate MRI, detection and staging. “This new prostate MRI technique, now available in our community, provides critical information to men and their physicians in our outpatient center, so there is no need to drive to a university setting,” says Dr. Princenthal. Dr. Princenthal received his M.D. from Penn State University College of Medicine. He completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at Yale Univeristy School of Medicine and completed a fellowship at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Princenthal practices with Rolling Oaks Radiology in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Simi Valley.

Conejo Valley resident John Shwope is an advocate of prostate MRI after benefitting from a visit to Dr. Princenthal. “I was unaware that they had this instrument in Thousand Oaks and I immediately set an appointment,” says Shwope. “The scan results and Dr. Princenthal’s detailed diagnosis helped find the proper treatment modality and helped with the accurate administration of the treatment.”

Prostate cancer patients and their loved ones are invited to the monthly Networking Group, held the third Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m. Prostate cancer patients and survivors are invited to the Support Group which meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. Both groups are led by psychologist Kevin Axelrad, Ph.D and are held at The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, 530 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village.

For a complete list of TWCVV's free cancer support programs, please visit our Calendar Page.

Cancer Support Organizations Partner to Launch Support Group for Young Adult Cancer Survivors

The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura has partnered with the United Cancer Advocacy Action Network to launch a new support group for young adult cancer survivors on the first and third Monday of each month from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The group is open to men and women ages 18 to 39 and meets at 530 Hampshire Road in Westlake Village. The next group meeting is June 20. The group is free but registration is required. To register or learn more please call (805) 379-4777.

Each year in the United States, an estimated 70,000 young adults are diagnosed with cancer, and about 1 million young adult survivors are already grappling with issues related to the aftermath of the disease and its treatment. Research has found that young adult cancer survivors often lack access to professionally led services geared toward the specific emotional issues they face. Psychological support is an essential element of healing and recovery from cancer.

The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura (TWCVV), a leader in providing support groups to people affected by cancer, partnered with the United Cancer Advocacy Action Network (UCAAN) to extend their quality programs to young adults. UCAAN was founded by Rachel Shur, a leukemia survivor diagnosed and treated in her early thirties. Studies show that patients receiving psychosocial support experience less pain, stress and depression, are more likely to comply with medical treatment, experience fewer recurrences, and, in many cases, are able to enjoy a better quality of life and live longer.

“This group will cover the unique needs of young adult cancer survivors, including dating, taking care of a young family, career concerns, and finding alternative ways to cope with treatment side effects,” says group facilitator Gina Cole, MS, MFT. Cole is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and a certified trained facilitator with a private practice in Ventura.


About The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2011, The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura is an independently governed and funded affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, serving more than 3,000 community members affected by cancer each year with programs in the San Fernando Valley and throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Programs are offered in English and Spanish. For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please visit www.TwcVv.org or call 805-379-4777. Text COMMUNITY to 90999 to donate $10 to cancer support programs. Standard text messaging rates apply. For full terms visit mgive.com/a.

Founded in 1982, the Cancer Support Community, formerly named The Wellness Community, is an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing free support, education and hope to people with cancer and their loved ones. In July 2009, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club joined forces to become the Cancer Support Community, one of the largest providers of cancer support worldwide. The combined organization is comprised of nearly 50 local affiliates, 12 affiliates in development and more than 100 satellite locations. By offering professionally led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress-reduction classes, The Wellness Community and Gilda’s Club continue to provide support, education and hope to all people affected by cancer.


About the United Cancer Advocacy Action Network
United Cancer Advocacy Action Network is a non-profit organization that aids survivors of cancer to become fully self-supporting through education, employment & emotional growth. By providing the tools needed to live life to their fullest potential, improve quality of life, help to gain full-time employment with benefits and/or aiding them to start a business so they will not be dependent on Social Security for long term. Together we can and UCAAN Make a Difference!

Stories of Hope, Words to Inspire

We are pleased to present the honorees for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Life Gala. Their stories inspire us to continue our mission of providing support, education, and hope to people with cancer and their families.


Celebration of Excellence: Robert D. Hesselgesser, MD

Dr. Robert D. Hesselgesser held the very first fundraiser for The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, is a charter founding member, and has served on the Professional Advisory Board for many years. Dr. Hesselgesser and his wife, Jane, generously opened their home for a spectacular French impressionistic garden party, the first event ever held to help TWCVV open its doors. Jane Hesselgesser, an international concert pianist, gave a memorable performance at the North Ranch Community Center to raise additional funds.

A graduate of USC and New York Medical College, Dr. Hesselgesser completed his residency in radiation oncology at LA County USC Medical Center and has been Board-certified for more than 35 years. He is a specialist in radioactive implants with high and low dose rate Iridium-192, and has lectured internationally on the topic. He has performed over 250 I-125 prostate implants, one of the largest series done by a single physician. Dr. Hesselgesser practices with North Oaks Radiation Oncology Center, in Thousand Oaks and Westlake Radiation Oncology Center in Westlake Village.

Although he intended to specialize in OB/GYN, a lecture in medical school on the wonders of radiation oncology sparked his interest. Decades later, his passion for his work is stronger than ever. “Giving patients hope and being able to offer something that can benefit them is the most rewarding aspect of my work,” says Dr. Hesselgesser. “Aside from the benefits of radiation oncology, I also really enjoy the science involved. The fact that you need to be an expert on all aspects of the human body forces you to be a real Marcus Welby of cancer care!”

“Dr. Hesselgesser listens to me and allows me to be a full partner in my treatment,” says Kathy Joosten, a ten-year lung cancer survivor. “His explanations of how the treatment works, even down to the cellular level, help me believe in the efficacy of the treatment.”

Dr. Hesselgesser lives in Westlake Village with his wife, Jane, and has “a ton” of hobbies including collecting rare objects from coins to dinosaur bones. Dr. and Mrs. Hesselgesser’s son James is VP of Program Development for an aircraft parts manufacturer. Their son Alex works for the San Diego Police Department and is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marine Reserves.

Celebration of Hope: Mervyn Kopp

It was May 18, 2006 – Merv Kopp’s birthday. In the past two months he had been diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, (a rare and aggressive cancer), and had two surgeries in his right maxillary sinus. On a day when he should have been celebrating, he began the first of 33 radiation treatments. Rather than lament his situation, he decided to give himself a goal; he bought a brand new mountain bike. “The bike arrived before treatment ended, and it drove me nuts seeing it in my kitchen every day, but it made me vow to become as strong as possible as soon as possible,” says Merv.

This is how Merv takes on life and inspires everyone around him. He has no time for self-pity, preferring instead to follow Monty Python’s lead and “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.”

As a delegate to the inaugural Lance Armstrong Foundation LIVESTRONG Cancer Survivors Summit in October 2006, Merv was inspired to do something to help cancer survivors in his community. As an Honorary Rotarian and past president of the Thousand Oaks Rotary Club, he had spoken locally about the power of a positive attitude, using humor. He decided to produce a stand-up comedy show FUN-draiser for The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura. Five years later, Merv is responsible for three successful Stand Up for Cancer Survivors Comedy FUN-draisers at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and TWCVV uses the proceeds to produce a monthly Monday Comedy Night, “Laughter IS the best Medicine” for people affected by cancer. More than 1,100 people have been regaled by 34 professional comics, all thanks to Merv’s dedication and nonstop energy.

In early 2009, Merv’s cancer returned. After eight months of chemotherapy Merv once again has No Evidence of Cancer. Through all of this, Merv continues to work diligently to bring laughter to cancer patients, survivors, and family members in our community. “Laughter is the bridge we take to leave the dark side and get to the other side,” says Merv. “Maybe your glass is only one-sixteenth full, but at least it's got something in it. To quote Norman Cousins: ‘Laughter IS the best medicine.’ So, take your medicine!”

Celebration of Life: Norman MacDonald and Leonard Chapman, The Honey-Do Boys

For anyone with a “Honey-Do” list and no “Honey” to help, Norman MacDonald and Leonard Chapman of the Honey-Do Boys are just a phone call away. By donating their handyman skills, the Honey-Do Boys help TWCVV continue its mission of providing support, education and hope to cancer patients and their families without having to take staff time and financial resources to tend to the facility.

Norm and his wife Kathy got involved with TWCVV in 1996 when Kathy was diagnosed with lymphoma. Kathy was passionate about helping others affected by cancer, and spoke at fundraisers and local groups about her experience. She passed away in 2005 after living nine years longer than the doctors predicted. Norm believes Kathy exceeded doctors’ expectations in part because of TWCVV. “They opened her eyes to the fact that she wasn’t alone, and she felt like she could do something to help,” says Norm. “That was her will to live.”

After retiring from 37 years as an aviation mechanic, Norm and his neighbor Len formed the Honey-Do boys in 2003 and continue to donate their handyman skills to TWCVV and Habitat for Humanity. Although Len is retired after 48 years in the home improvement industry, he has never slowed down. “It’s a great satisfaction to do a job, do it right, and do it well,” says Len, who is a cancer survivor.

When TWCVV’s south wall was reconstructed Norm and Len took on one of their largest projects, installing new floors and painting the support group rooms. Lianne Ingalla is one of many participants who enjoyed the transformation. “The changes have been a subtle uplift to our collective spirits,” says Lianne, an interior designer and a breast cancer survivor. “The sleek floors immediately enriched the rooms, and clean paint added to the renewal.”

“The most precious thing we have is our time, and The Wellness Community gave me time with my wife that I would not have had,” says Norm. “It’s a debt I could never repay, but at least I’m getting closer.” We at TWCVV extend our deepest gratitude for the precious time that the Honey-Do Boys have donated to our cause.

Celebration of Philanthropy: Mr. Hugh E. Petersen in memoriam

On behalf of the thousands of people who have found solace within the walls of The Wellness Community Valley/Ventura, we would like to thank Mr. Hugh Petersen for giving us a home. Hugh donated the building that houses TWCVV in 1995, but his remarkable generosity extends far beyond this extraordinary gift. It would be impossible to measure the lives changed for the better by Hugh, especially because he never sought credit for his kindness.

Hugh Petersen was born in 1918 and spent his childhood in Kenilworth, Illinois. He graduated from Princeton University with Honors in Economics and entered the family business in 1940 when his father became ill. By day he ran the J.W. Petersen Coal and Oil Company in Chicago while at night attending Northwestern Law School and later receiving an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Hugh met and married Marjorie Stone in 1968, telling his family it was the best thing he had ever done in his life. After ten years of marriage, they decided to “retire” to Santa Barbara. He liquidated the company in 1978, which had become the largest distributor of coal and fuel oil in the country.

In 1972, he purchased the La Arcada Investment Corporation in Santa Barbara, which included the La Arcada Building and other commercial properties including a bank building in Thousand Oaks. He devoted himself to transforming the La Arcada building and courtyard into a beautiful area for the community to enjoy, filling it with treasures collected and commissioned from around the world. He treated his many tenants like family. It was his delight to donate the building in Thousand Oaks to TWCVV, an organization he believed gave tremendous service, support and hope to those with cancer. Innumerable individuals and students, churches, colleges and universities, Christian organizations and community projects have benefited from his legendary generosity.