A Day in the Life:
Joy in Giving

Growing Up Giving

I’m a pastor’s kid. We didn’t have much growing up, but we were taught to share what we did have with others. I remember putting part of my allowance in a bank shaped like a loaf of bread to help feed hungry families. I remember my parents opening our home to people who needed a hand up – the most memorable were a single mom with four kids who lived in our basement for a summer; and a college student who needed a place to stay while she finished her studies. We also assembled holiday care packages for hundreds of inmates at the local jail every December. My dad would say, “Everyone deserves to be remembered and feel joy, especially on the holidays.” Our holiday dinner table always had extra seats for people with nowhere else to go.

At the time, I selfishly wondered why we had to share our treats, our toys, our time, our parents with everyone else. But as I look back, I’m grateful for the lesson. We met people from all walks of life. We learned to see people for who they are and not their circumstances. And we learned that there is joy in giving.

A Career in Giving

Fast forward to my mid-twenties, I was working at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and served as a founding member of the Heart of Blue Volunteer Council. Together, we created partnerships with local nonprofits and matched employees with nonprofits that could ignite their passions. It was there that I first learned of DARTS and the work they do for local seniors – particularly outdoor chores, grocery shopping, and visiting. Our family adopted a sweet and spunky senior named Bonnie through DARTS’ companionship program. More on Bonnie another time, but I will say she became like family. And it’s an experience I’ve never forgotten.

The years passed, and I moved into nonprofit work. It was the perfect fit for me to use my communication, project management, and relationship-building skills; and I liked the idea of contributing to a mission. Many people in development roles call themselves accidental fundraisers. We join a nonprofit thinking we’ll do one thing and then wear many hats to stretch dollars and capacity. One of those inevitable hats is fundraising. Dollars fund our programs. Dollars help us innovate and grow. Ultimately, we get comfortable with sharing the mission and the need, because we want to help as many people as we can. We are a voice for older adults.

A Giving Community

Donating your time, talent, and treasure is a chance for you to be part of the mission, too. Together, we create connections that enrich aging. Together, we help people stay in the home of their choice for as long as possible. Together, we transform the aging journey from a challenge into a celebration.

Our programs and services bring a sense of dignity and independence to older adults as they navigate bodies that don’t function as they once did. We offer much-needed services like transportation, caregiving support, household and outdoor chores, home repairs, technical support, and resource navigation.
I often hear, “I wish I knew DARTS existed when I was caregiving for my parent/spouse;” or “My parent/spouse used your services, and we are so grateful you are here!” Many of these clients’ families go on to be donors because they understand how valuable the services were to their family, and they want to ensure that DARTS is here to help other families.

I have the privilege of working with clients, donors, and volunteers. I see the need, and I see everyday people who care stepping up to meet the need. At the time of this post, I will have been in my role with DARTS just shy of one year. Here are a few stories of the many generous donors I have met along the way:

Barb: Remembering Her Mom

Barb stopped into our DARTS office last fall. Her mother passed away, and she wanted to donate her car in her memory. As we filled out the paperwork, she shared that the DARTS bus helped keep her mom on the move and independent. It was a huge help to her since she also served as her mom’s driver. This was her way to give back. The process is easy – bring the vehicle, title, and keys; and fill out a bit of paperwork on the vehicle history.

Our generous partners at Inver Grove Ford Lincoln helped sell the car on our behalf. With the used-car market at a high, the donated vehicle resulted in a generous donation to DARTS. What a special way for Barb to honor her mom’s memory and make a difference!

Lorna: Helping Local Seniors

The phone rang. Lorna introduced herself. She needed DARTS 501(c)(3) status and a mailing address to give to her financial advisor. She had read an article about DARTS in her city newsletter and wanted to help. She said, “A lot of people donate to food… and that is important, but I want to do something for seniors. I think seniors get forgotten.” Lorna saw an organization meeting a community need; and she decided to make a difference by giving through her donor-advised fund.

Sylvia: Thankful for DARTS Services

Sylvia stopped into the office with her daughter Carol. She needed some information for her IRA paperwork, as she wanted to name DARTS as a beneficiary. She said her husband, Russell, received respite care and rides to medical appointments from DARTS. Russell chose to donate a percentage of his retirement fund to DARTS. She said she wanted to do the same. Before Sylvia left, she quietly mentioned her husband has since passed away. She lovingly pointed to the Heritage Society windows in the library and said his name was up there. As they walked out the door, Carol added that she wished more families knew about the tax benefits and how easy it is to do.

Heritage Society: Give a Gift for the Future

The above stories demonstrate there is indeed joy in giving, just as I learned all those years ago. We want to spread that joy to those who believe in DARTS and the work we do. One way to do that is through the Heritage Society.

By including DARTS in your estate, you will ensure that this important work will continue for generations to come. You might not think you are a candidate, but legacy giving is for everyone. The process does not need to be complicated or expensive; it can be as easy as updating your will or adding a beneficiary to your retirement account(s). All planned gifts – large and small – play an important role in maintaining the long-term sustainability of DARTS.

Heritage Society members are honored with an engraved name on our library windows (as seen at the top of the page!) and special recognition in our annual report. The names of the people on the windows are leaving a legacy in helping older adults in our community. Together, we will create connections that enrich aging for generations to come.

To learn more about the Heritage Society, visit dartsconnects.org/specialized-donations.

If you have any questions, contact your Financial Advisor or Sarah Lindner, DARTS Director of Advancement, at 651-234-2229 or sarah.lindner@darts1.org.