Why CalBG is in my Will

Linda Prendergast, Past President of the Volunteer Organization

"When I retired from my career as a plant buyer for a major national chain store, I was given an intriguing gift: a membership to California Botanic Garden. Can you believe that I had lived for over 12 years within five miles of the Garden and never visited?

Fast forward fifteen years to today, when not a week goes by that I haven't spent many satisfying hours at the Garden. Whether making flower arrangements for the Garden's entrepreneurial Native Designs floral business, volunteering at the Great Grapevine Harvest, pulling weeds, or serving on the Board of Overseers, I am in my element at California Botanic Garden.

So when the time came to make my estate plans and name beneficiaries in my will, California Botanic Garden was at the top of my philanthropic list.

I am not a wealthy person, but making a bequest to the Garden in my will allowed me to leave a legacy to the place that has given me so much…to help ensure the Garden's future for others to enjoy. By letting the Garden know that it is included in my will, I am now a member of the Susanna Bixby Bryant Council, a legacy society for people who have made provisions for the Garden in their estate plans. What's fun is that the Garden honors these members today - with an invitation to a beautiful recognition dinner in the fall and other kindnesses along the way.

If you are not aware of the Susanna Bixby Bryant Council, and would like to learn more, please click here to ask the Garden to send you more information.

There are many ways to make a charitable gift to the Garden today and in the future that are tax-wise and express your support for the Garden's conservation, research and education mission. And if you have already named the Garden in your estate plans, consider letting them know so that you can be recognized and join this convivial group.

See you around the Garden!"

~ Linda