THREE DECADES OF COMPASSIONATE CARE

Arlene and Charles Steichen

With over 26 years of volunteering at St. Jude, Charles Steichen has surpassed a milestone of 6,000 service hours. However, his journey with St. Jude began as a patient after suffering a major heart attack in 1989.

"I was going through cardiac rehabilitation at St. Jude. I noticed a recruitment letter about volunteering at the hospital and thought I wanted to give back - so I did," says Charles. "I wouldn't be here without St. Jude, and I have a reason to be very grateful."

Charles has served in various departments as a lobby ambassador and supporting the surgical admitting area. Also an accomplished woodworker, he used to create original nativity scenes that were sold at the hospital gift shop for the holiday season.

Out of all his contributions, Charles' greatest gift is his loyalty to St. Jude.

Beyond the Gift of Time

In addition to being a dedicated volunteer, Charles has been a donor to St. Jude since 1990. His faithful generosity has supported the programs that are most meaningful to him and his wife, Arlene - from cardiac rehabilitation to St. Jude's Care for the Poor programs. By giving through the IRA charitable rollover, Charles is able to see the impact his contributions are making today while also reaping significant tax savings.

What Is the IRA Charitable Rollover?

It's a simple gifting option available to IRA owners who are subject to the required minimum distribution (RMD). If you are 70½ or older, you can gift up to $105,000 from your IRA directly to charities, like St. Jude, without triggering any taxes. It's commonly referred to as the IRA charitable rollover, but you may also hear it called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). The charitable rollover is now permanently available, so you can support St. Jude year after year in a way that is also advantageous to you.

Why Consider This Gift?

Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference you're making at St. Jude and in the community. You pay no income tax on the transfer. The charitable rollover will not count toward your adjusted gross income and, so, will not generate a deduction. That means you can save on taxes even if you don't itemize.

If you have not taken your RMD for the year, the IRA charitable rollover can satisfy all or part of that requirement.

That's a win-win-win!