Wellspring Alberta has a very special place in John Bargman’s heart, and also in his Will.
“Wellspring has been a very important part of my life. All my years of volunteering, facilitating programs, and being on the Board at Wellspring, have given me an immense amount of joy,” said John, adding, “And now with something as simple as a Legacy Gift, I can give back to Wellspring.”
John first discovered Wellspring in 2007 while still recovering from a head and neck cancer diagnosis that forced him to slow the pace of his IT consulting work.
“As I was getting back on my feet after treatment, I realized there was a lack of support for people going through this kind of cancer, so I wanted to volunteer – to offer support to others,” said John.
When his big-hearted desire to help other cancer survivors landed him at Wellspring, the organization was just launching in Calgary, and John enthusiastically joined the tenacious team of dreamers and doers who were at the helm.
“I attended the very first volunteer training program offered at Wellspring, and along with taking a few of the first programs, I began offering peer support. I had the very good fortune of being present when Wellspring first opened in Parkdale, then I was there for the ‘one-day’ build of Carma House … an amazing event!” said John.
In the following years, John revelled in his front-row seat at Wellspring, investing time and energy in an organization he deeply loved, and watching it grow and serve more and more people living with cancer. Over the course of 15 years, he went from volunteer, to Program Committee Lead, to Board member, and eventually he became President of the (then) Wellspring Calgary Board. He also dedicated his IT savvy to the important role of sourcing and implementing GameTime – Wellspring’s online registration application.
“Wellspring is in my blood. I really believe in the work we do. So when I discovered Legacy Giving, I thought – this is the perfect way to give back to Wellspring,” said John.
How Legacy Giving works is simple and deeply satisfying for those who want to leave behind a gift for a non-profit organization they cherish. This gift can be a bequest in your Will, a gift of retirement funds, or a gift of life insurance. When a person chooses to do any of these, after they pass, their estate is entitled to a donation receipt for the full value of the bequest, which can dramatically reduce taxes payable by the estate. The Legacy gift for a charity does not impact the amount that is designated for loved ones.
In John’s mind, diverting taxes while donating to the charity he loves just makes sense.
“I really think it’s important for people to understand that with a simple adjustment to your Will, you can literally trade a tax payment for a donation to your favourite non-profit,” he said.
To learn more, please visit Wellspring’s Legacy page.
“I got very excited about the whole idea. Knowing I will leave Wellspring a gift gives me a very good feeling,” he said, adding that he knows first hand how this donation will positively impact those living with cancer.
Having been apart of the team that created the Wellspring vision, John believes strongly in the simple but profound words that still anchor the organization today.
“No one has to face cancer alone. That is the very essence of Wellspring and it sums up what is important to me about the work we do,” he said.
Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal or accounting advice. Please keep in mind that though this is one of several possible strategies to give to the charities that are important to you, you should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction, to understand the benefits and drawbacks of any course of action.
