Page 12 - Gateways_2018_FALL

News Bites continued Photo credit: Yofi Photography.
Year’s End Opportunities
With a Gift Annuity
This may be the perfect time to consider a charitable
gift annuity benefitting the Chicago Zoological Society.
In exchange for your gift of cash or appreciated assets,
the Society will make payments for life to you, or you
and another designee. What makes 2018 the right time
for a gift annuity?
• Gift annuity rates have increased. Rates for a
one-life gift annuity range from 4.7% at age 60 to
9.5% at age 90 or older.
• A large portion of your gift qualifies for a charitable
deduction, due to new, higher standard
deductions.
• Gift annuities offer tax-free or favorably taxed
capital gains income for life.
• You can take pride in knowing you have supported
the Society’s mission of inspiring conservation
leadership by engaging people and communities
with wildlife and nature.
• You will gain membership in the Edith Rockefeller
McCormick Society.
Other creative ways to invest in the Society in 2018:
• If you are age 70½ or older, you can direct the
custodian of your IRA to send a check directly to
the Society. Your gift will take the place of the
distributions you’re required to take, thereby saving
income tax.
• Contribute appreciated stock owned more than
one year and receive a deduction for the full value
of the shares while avoiding capital gains.
For details on how you can include the Society in your
estate plans and become part of the Edith Rockefeller
McCormick Society, email us at
EdithRockefellerMcCormickSociety@czs.org
or call (708) 688-8174.
Kathryn Sperlak, JD, R&R Newkirk, CZS Planned Giving
Committee member contributed content to this article.
12 GATEWAYS | NEWS BITES
Say “I Do” at the Zoo
PROGRAMS Cassie Piltaver can say with ease that her wedding
ceremony was the most magical 20 minutes
of her life. She and her husband, John, said their
“I do’s” last year in front of their closest family and friends at
Brookfield Zoo’s Formal Pool.
“We couldn’t have imagined a more perfect setting to get
married in,” Cassie said. “It was just the right combination of
being out in the open air while still having the intimacy of being
surrounded by beautiful architecture and gorgeous trees.”
Both John and Cassie love animals—and the zoo holds a
special place in their hearts, as for the first two-and-a-half years
of their relationship, they lived across the country from each
other. John was in Addison, Illinois (where they both reside
today), and Cassie was finishing veterinary school in Virginia.
Cassie was thrilled when she
was able to do a six-week
veterinary externship with the
veterinary team at Brookfield
Zoo, which allowed her to
both further her professional
goals and bring her back closer
to John.
Although they had a
sentimental attachment to
the zoo, they picked it as their
wedding venue for practical
reasons as well.
“We wanted an outdoor ceremony and reception, if able,
but we knew we needed to have a backup plan in case of rain.
The zoo was the only place that had a rain plan that was still
beautiful,” Cassie said. “We also loved the convenience—we
could have the ceremony and reception in the same location,
and we knew we’d have a team of people taking care of things
and running the show so that we could focus on being present
and enjoying every moment together.”
Brookfield Zoo has several options for individuals who
are looking to set a truly exotic stage for their special event.
From cocktail hours in Great Bear Wilderness (for events up
to 200 people) to Tropic World or The Swamp (for events up to
400 people), there’s something to fit every group.
Whether it’s a wedding, shower, bar mitzvah, birthday
party, or company picnic, your guests are sure to have an
unforgettable experience. Visit CZS.org/cateredevents for
more information.