Winter 2008 - Arkansas Children's Hospital

DONORSBernard SharpProud to Support ACH in HisLifetime and through His WillBernard Sharp and his late wife, Doris.■ Alyssa AndersonWhen Bernard Sharp learned he would eitherneed to make a charitable donation with some of theincome he had earned through good stock investmentsor give it to the government, the choice for himwas simple: support the three organizations dearest tohis heart – the Lions Club, his church and ArkansasChildren’s Hospital.Sharp and his late wife of 57 years, Doris, neverhad children, but Sharp has several family memberswith connections to ACH.“The Children’s Hospital has been one of myfavorites because I had a little cousin who was treatedfor lymphoma there,” he says. “Actually I have twocousins and a niece who’ve been patients, and I’ve gota cousin who’s a doctor over there.”Recently, Sharp visited Arkansas Children’sHospital for a “Day in Residence” with the transportdepartment. He saw the hospital’s two helicopters andsays he got a lot of good information about their airspeed, range, etc. The visitwas particularly interestingfor Sharp because heknows a thing or two aboutaviation himself.Sharp, now 90 yearsold, was a World War IIbomber pilot and servedoverseas for 43 months. Hestill wears the watch thatwas issued to him by themilitary in March 1942.“I got shot in the arm,Bernard Sharpand the band helped hold ittogether,” he says. “You can see where it’s bent, but itstill works – keeps perfect time!”Even at 90, Sharp remains very active. He paints, loves to work in his yardand travels all over the world.“I’ve been to 118 countries so far,” Sharp says. “I love to collect woodcarvings from all of the countries I’ve visited. I like beautiful things and reallyappreciate all the wood pieces I’ve collected over the years.”Sharp has been a Lions Club member for more than 40 years. His localclub is 90 years old – the oldest in Lions Clubs International. He has been amember of his church, South Highland Baptist, for 80 years and has taught amen’s bible class for the last 56 years. The business he started back in 1950,Capital Glass, is still being run by the son of the employee Sharp turned itover to when he retired.Being able to support Arkansas Children’s Hospital in his lifetime is somethingSharp is very proud of. He also is in the process of revamping his willand says he “just finished writing ACH right at the top.”“I’ve been fortunate in business, fortunate in investments,” Sharp says. “Wealways lived a very quiet life – not extravagant. I’m glad to give. I thinkArkansas Children’s Hospital is one of the best organizations in the state.”Giving a Gift of Stock to ACHThe IRS still offers a notable tax break for charitable stock gifts. You maydeduct the full, fair market value of appreciated stocks you give to ACH andalso avoid capital gains liability on the transfer.There are two easy, convenient methods of transferring your stock whilemaking sure you receive the full tax benefits of the gift: make an electronictransfer from your broker to ours; or if you hold the shares yourself, mail themunendorsed, and in a separate envelope, mail a signed stock power for eachstock certificate.Important: Do not sell the stock first! Even though you intend to donatethe proceeds as a gift, the IRS will impose capital gains tax on your sale,wiping out the benefits of this arrangement.Contact Mary Starr Ross for details at (501) 364-5308 orrossms@archildrens.org, or visit us online at www.archildrens.org/giftplanning.12