Charles Burke of Lexington, Kentucky

With more than 4.7 million disabled veterans living in America today, our mission to empower veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity is essential. Thankfully, many DAV supporters, including Navy veteran Charles Burke, are stepping up to help by making a gift through a charitable gift annuity (CGA) to the DAV Charitable Service Trust.

Burke was not yet a DAV member when an article in a Fidelity newsletter about the income and tax benefits of CGAs caught his eye. The article explained how gift annuities help charities. A longtime DAV donor, he asked if the organization had such a program. Within weeks, he had funded a CGA with the Trust.

“I had to take care of my buddies,” Burke explained. “I reached a point in my life where I could do this, so I did. The income I receive from the annuity is icing on the cake.”

When you set up a CGA, you agree to make a gift to the Trust. In return, DAV agrees to pay you a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

After becoming a life member, Burke learned about new Agent Orange-related benefits for Blue Water Navy veterans like himself. With DAV’s help, he was able to file a disability claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Now in his retirement years, Burke enjoys the fixed payments he is receiving for life from his gift annuity. Best of all, he is honored to “help his buddies.”

When you set up a CGA, you are making a gift that pays you income, saves money on taxes and helps veterans access the benefits they earned.

 

For more information

To learn how you can set up a CGA, visit davplanmygift.org/charitable-gift-annuities or contact a gift planning adviser at 800-216-9802, then press 1.