Hero of the Week – Tony Leal

By Dan Samaria
Publisher/YC
August 11, 2009

Editor’s Note: Each Week we will be Honoring people or groups that are making a difference in helping others especially during this tough times in America.

When we as Americans are put through a test, we come out in flying colors on the other side.

We would like to know what you think? And if you know someone or group that we can Honor. You can contact us at dan@youngchronicle.com

This week we will be honoring: Tony Leal. Here is his story:

I first became involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation ^® of America in 1987 when I was working for Discover Card. At that time, our company was only two years old, and we were looking for a national charity to support as a company. We looked at many organizations but chose the Make-A-Wish Foundation in part because of its wonderful mission and also the financial needs of the organization at the time. I became the main contact for the Foundation at Discover Card, and soon I was working with Make-A-Wish ^® staff on marketing programs and developing sponsor relationships with some of our merchants.

My wife, Norma, and I became supporters because we love children and the organization’s mission. We are truly blessed to have four children and 10 grandchildren of our own, and we know how precious family memories are.

My involvement with the organization as a volunteer goes back to 1987, and it has had a tremendous impact on my life. I’ve been involved at the chapter and national levels as a board member, and also as a wish granter. I’ve seen the tremendous growth of the organization and the impact that granting wishes has on wish kids and their families all over the world.

Several years ago, Norma and I set up a living trust, and as part of that we also established a charitable lead trust. We handle our annual giving through the charitable lead trust, but we also felt it was very important to include the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a recipient of a bequest from our estate. We wanted to do our part to share the power of a wish^® for many years to come. Working with our trust attorney made the process simple. There are a number of financial instruments available that can take today’s dollars and literally multiply them several times over, ensuring a much larger donation to the organization in the future. This will allow you to ensure that future wish kids experience the hope, strength and joy that comes from having their wish granted.

Source: Make A Wish Foundation