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| John & Frances Pershing Continue Their Life's Work With Their Bequest |
By Kimberly Martin Begg, Director of Planned Giving
On November 10, 2005, John Pershing lost his beloved wife, Fran, and Young America's Foundation lost a dear friend. Fran was a kind, intelligent, dedicated woman. We will miss her.
I was fortunate to know Fran personally. John and Fran graciously hosted me at their home in Saint Helena, California, where they told me wonderful stories about their work to advance the Conservative Movement, showed me a framed thank you letter from Ronald Reagan, and explained why it was important to them to leave a legacy of freedom through Young America's
Foundation.
John and Fran Pershing spent their life advancing conservative ideas. Now that Fran has left us, she passes the torch of freedom onto the next generation of young conservatives with a gift from the Pershings' living trust.
Continuing The Reagan Revolution
On October 27, 1964, Ronald Reagan's nationally televised "A Time For Choosing" speech for Barry Goldwater brought the Conservative Movement directly into America's living rooms. Even though Goldwater was defeated by Lyndon Johnson in the 1964 election, Reagan's ideas inspired young conservatives-including Reagan Governor of California in 1966 and 1970 and President of the United States in 1980. John and Fran continue the Reagan Revolution with their support of Young America's Foundation and
the Reagan Ranch.
"The most important time in a young person's education is late high school and college," they said. "These are a young person's formative years, when it's important for them to meet conservatives their own age and learn our ideas."
"The education programs today will bring forth tomorrow's legislators, governors, presidents, and justices," they continued.
When John and Fran visited the Reagan Ranch on September 23, 2004, they saw for themselves the power of Reagan's Western White House in introducing conservative ideas to young people.
"We review our trust every two years, and after we saw the Reagan
Ranch, we knew we had to include Young America's Foundation."
"Seeing the Reagan Ranch is a very powerful tool-it's very personal... You feel closer to the man. I'm sure the kids love it. Well, we did, and we aren't kids!"
Investing In The Future
John and Fran consider philanthropy a necessary and important part of life.
"We don't give," they explain. "We invest. We invest in people and ideas. That's investing in the future."
That's why they invest in Young America's Foundation and why they are passing on their ideas to America's future leaders with a legacy gift.
After all, they reflect, "It's still a time to choose."
You also may want to make it easy and convenient to have a bequest included in your will. The language below shows how a bequest can very easily be included in your will.
You might find it helpful to select the "print" button on the top of your screen and print this page. You may feel free to give this page to your attorney. If he or she has any questions, please have them contact Kimberly Martin Begg at phone number 703-318-9608 or e-mail me at kbegg@yaf.org.
Example bequest language - Please feel free to change the numbers or percentages as you desire.
1. Bequest of cash
"I bequeath the sum of $10,000 to Young America's Foundation of Herndon, VA."
2. Bequest of a percent of the estate
"I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to Young America's Foundation, Herndon, VA."
3. Contingent Bequest
"If my brother John Doe survives me, I devise and bequeath 20% of the remainder and residue of property owned at my death, whether real or personal, and wherever located to John Doe. If John Doe does not survive me, then I devise and bequeath 20% of my residuary estate, whether real or personal property and wherever located to Young America's Foundation, Herndon, VA."
You may print a Bequest tri-fold brochure. Voice of a Legacy or Will Your Will be Known.
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