P L A N N E D
G I V I N G
C O M M I T T E E
*
SE TH ADAMS
BREN T ED EN ’98
B O N N I E HA R R I S
MILES MARKS
AUSTIN McDONA LD ’ 97
S H ERRY PERCH I K
G A R R Y S C HA E F E R
B E T H S P E N C E R ’8 1
“Pace has positively impacted so many lives and planned giving is a meaningful opportunity to help contribute to the sustainability of the school.” — MILES MARKS, Parent of Molly Marks ’16, Annie Marks ’24 and Ella Marks ’24 By sharing with Pace their plans to remember the school in their estate, the Harrises have become members of The Castle Circle, which provides recognition to individuals and couples who have made provisions for a planned gift to Pace. The chair of the Planned Giving Committee, which oversees Pace’s planned giving efforts and The Castle Circle, is GARRY SCHAEFER, a former Pace parent and Board member, and now a Life Trustee. Schaefer and his wife, RUTH SCHAEFER, have three daughters, all Pace alumni, COURTNEY SCHAEFER ’07, LUCY SCHAEFER AYRES ’08 and CAROLYN SCHAEFER ’11. Schaefer says the timing is right for the school to add a focus on planned giving. He explains, “Pace has been so successful in
its advancement efforts over the years—the school today is the result of generous support from the Pace community for decades.” He views attention to planned giving as “the one missing element” and says he’s excited for the opportunity to help Pace
grow membership in The Castle Circle. “It’s a meaningful way for families to give back to Pace, which is often so important to both the students and their parents,” he says. “Our goal for the coming year, which will be the 60th school year at Pace, is to confirm 60 members of The Castle Circle,” Schaefer adds. “Those first 60 will be recognized as the founding members.” To become a member in The Castle Circle, known previously as the 1958 Heritage Society, an individual or couple signs a Castle Circle Letter of Intent to confirm plans for the gift. Members who wish to provide specific details about the gift may do so; however, this is completely optional. Today Harris continues to volunteer for Pace—now as a member of the Planned
Giving Committee along with Schaefer. She believes that many Pace families will find that supporting the school through a bequest in their will, or other planned giving approach, provides deep satisfaction. “People get to a place where they’re
ready to make this kind of commitment,” Harris explains. “Present giving comes out of current dollars; planned giving is another kind of giving. It’s not tied to a person’s means; it’s really a very simple way of giving and making a difference for the future.” In addition to Schaefer and Harris, other Planned Giving Committee members include Pace parents SETH ADAMS, MILES MARKS, AUSTIN MCDONALD ’97, SHERRY PERCHIK and BETH SPENCER ’81; Pace alumnus BRENT EDEN ’98, the husband of Upper School counselor SARA EDEN; and JOHN HARRISON, who attended Pace through the eighth grade, and serves as an advisor. For more information about planned giving opportunities at Pace and membership in The Castle Circle, visit https://www. paceacademy.org/support-pace/plannedgiving, or contact Dana Rawls, manager of communications and stewardship for the Advancement Office, at dana.rawls@ paceacademy.org or 404-262-3534.
*NOT PICTURED: JOHN HARRISON
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KnightTimes | Spring 2018