Legacy Donors With Big Impact

Wiley Caldwell

As a loyal friend and donor, Wiley Caldwell wanted his philanthropy to create extraordinary opportunities for Presbyterian Homes. To demonstrate, he established a large charitable gift annuity. In doing so, he directed the charitable proceeds to benefit the stability, growth and future of the mission. The Westminster Place “Caldwell Assembly Hall” bears his name to recognize this generosity.

Years after the charitable gift annuity was established, Wiley became aware that he had outlived the actuarial charitable benefit. The result of which was zero charitable dollars toward the legacy he thought he had so carefully planned. This bothered him so greatly that he established an additional trust and again directed the proceeds to his original plans.

Wiley passed away in December. His generosity of $700,000 is fueling the charitable mission today. It is making an impact and leading the way as an example for others to follow.

Wiley was a man of action. He served on the Board of Directors, and as its Chairman led the organization through unprecedented growth and success. Long after his active involvement with the Board, he continued to consult with Presbyterian Homes’ leadership. His generosity is no surprise. He was known for his integrity and strong values, his positive outlook, leadership, keen sense of humor and kindness.

Bob and Andrea ‘Andy’ Knight

Longtime Lake Forest Place residents Bob and Andy Knight were passionately committed to the power of philanthropy and its ability to make a difference. Bob’s grandmother was a resident of the Westminster Place campus and he remembered fondly walking through the “farm” which surrounded its initial buildings. Bob and Andy made a bequest to serve the charitable mission of Presbyterian Homes and later made an additional commitment to the Lake Forest Place capital campaign to expand the Memory Care Support Center. They made this generous gift in case their neighbors and friends should ever need those types of assistance. Now both deceased, their $100,000 estate gift is fueling the passion they had: helping residents when they are at their most vulnerable stages of financial need and those who are challenged with cognitive loss.

Dave and Pat Makeever

Dave and Pat Makeever were active residents at the Moorings of Arlington Heights, served on various committees and participated in social events with neighbors and friends. It was their service on the Spiritual Life Committee that inspired their planned gift. Dave and Pat informed the Geneva Foundation that it was included as a beneficiary of their IRA and, after their passing, would share a percentage of its value. Sadly, Dave died in 2013, and Pat in 2020. Their $135,000 gift to the Moorings was designated for the Spiritual Life Fund. In their honor, Chaplain Susan Peterson and the current Spiritual Life Committee, many of whom were friends with Dave and Pat, are planning to utilize their generosity by establishing an annual spiritual retreat that will bear their name.