Aunt Leah’s Donors: Jim & Anne McCullum

Jim and Anne McCullum have been involved with Aunt Leah’s almost since our founding in 1988. They have been monthly donors since 2001. Anne finds this a very useful way to donate, “because once you get things organized the right way, it just happens and it seems to me you can give more money at the end of the year than if you were sitting down to write a cheque just one time.”

Jim and Anne McCullum have been involved with Aunt Leah’s almost since our founding in 1988.

“Aunt Leah’s is an organization that we admire and want to be part of.” says Jim. Anne adds, “When we first encountered Aunt Leah’s, everything about it seemed to be so thoughtfully and inclusively arranged. The core values are beautifully put and real. They’re not just words on paper. It’s been my experience that that’s how the staff behaves towards the young people and also towards the volunteers and people who come to the fundraisers.”

Jim and Anne have volunteered at our annual Golf Tournament, the Christmas Tree Lots, and Jim also helps in the office from time to time. Jim says, “After I retired, I decided that I needed to do something for somebody else.” Anne describes the Tree Lots, “The volunteers are thoughtfully cared about. Aunt Leah’s makes the Tree Lots warm and comfortable and there are snacks to eat and encouraging words for us. It’s really remarkable.”

This summer, Jim became a member of our Board of Directors. “I’m so committed to the organization I wanted to be able to support it I whatever way I could with whatever skills or resources that I had so that’s why I said yes.”

Anne feels it’s important for people to know that besides giving money, there are many ways to support organizations like Aunt Leah’s. During the Christmas season, people are hosting parties where donations are collected rather than gifts exchanged. Jim and Anne recently made a contribution to Aunt Leah’s in honour of friends that were getting married. Even their grandchildren have been given money and were asked to choose a charity to donate to. “Their godparents gave them the money and they were really excited about doing the research and it involved other member of the family as well.” Jim says, “I would encourage people to do that. It’s good to be able to support Aunt Leah’s. It’s a privilege to be able to do that and every little bit helps.” He adds with a chuckle, “And big bits help more!”

Anne and Jim told us that they have decided to include a legacy gift for us in their will. Jim explained, “We’ve had a will for many years and in the last year have updated our will. What we decided was to take a percentage of the value of our estate for our children, and then 20% of our estate will be divided between four charities. Aunt Leah’s is very important to us when we are planning our contributions.” But they are committed to other organizations as well. Jim says, “We would rather donate more money to a few than just a little to many.” Anne adds, “We talked to our children so that they understood what we had in mind. We’re not wealthy people so we’re not talking about a lot of money but this was a way that we could make a gift and hoped it would be useful.”

I asked Jim and Anne what this decision means to them. “I think what it does for us is to support us in our commitment to reach out beyond ourselves which we believe is very important,” said Jim. Anne answered, “It gives Aunt Leah’s some support and a reminder that their work and way of working is supported an appreciated.”

I asked them if they had any advice for people who are considering making a gift in their will. “Try it, you’ll like it!” Jim says with a laugh.