The answer is yes…if it is in the form of a large donation to the CancerCare Thrift Shop.
As part of our intake procedure for new Estate clients, BERGFELD’s meets with prospective clients (at no charge) in their home, or, in the home of their loved one who has recently passed away. We do this to gather appropriate information about the client, their needs, wishes and timetables for distributing the personal property and clearing the home. If a client requests that some items be donated to charity, we ask if there are special programs or public service organizations that they prefer. Sometimes a Will stipulates the charity. Some people have been supporting programs such as Animal Protection League, others mention an Alma Mater where they would like their books sent or have a house of worship they attend. Some prefer performing arts groups. One way or another, we always honor these wishes and either deliver their specified personal property, or send proceeds from sales of their possessions to the 501.c3 charity they favor. When an Executor does not know which service or charity their family member or friend liked, I reassure them that we will be able to figure it out when we sort through the client’s possessions. The final decision of distributions to charity rests with the client, based on our recommendations.
A recent client of BERGFELD’s was a talented professional whose joyful life was cut short by cancer. When I first came to her apartment, I saw that bookshelves in her living room held dozens of books and articles about cancer, cancer treatments, support groups and free “pro bono” services for people living with cancer. She had read these thoroughly, making notes in margins, turning down special pages and tucking pieces of paper into others. Clearly, she reached out to and benefited from a host of organizations. As I gathered a sense of this inquisitive and dedicated woman, I thought of my colleague of many years, Caroline McKinnon, who superbly manages the CancerCare Thrift Shop on Manhattan’s 3rd Avenue. For years, proceeds from the Thrift Shop sales have gone to CancerCare Inc.’s “free, professional support for anyone affected by cancer”.
I next went into the client’s own bedroom where she had more books and material on cancer. I also noted that she had fine taste in furnishings and decoratives. I moved toward the door to her second bedroom, expecting to find another elegantly decorated bedroom. The door was difficult to open. My face bumped into something soft. The room was dark. Windows were covered. I could not make out any furnishings. I fumbled for a light switch. My fingers got tangled into something that felt like ropes or cords. Belts and ribbons?! I walked in further searching for a pull to an overhead light, groping with yards of fabric and stumbling over small boxes of …shoes? I finally found the cord, pulled it. The came light on. Then, I just stood still in awe and respect for this amazing woman.
She had converted her second bedroom into a walk-in closet that displayed the best of organizing skills and would make any fashion lover rejoice. This professional woman was a fine dresser at work, an elegant guest at formal events, and a lady who knew what it meant to ‘dress’ when she went out into New York City streets, even for routine errands. She created an admirable, landmark collection of 365 dresses, blouses, suits, jackets and gowns, most of it Yves Saint Laurent; 83 pairs of shoes or boots (including Gucci & Stuart Weitzman), overcoats and capes for evening wear, 37 handbags (including Valentino & a Judith Leiber clutch), and 60 scarves.
She had selected her nephew, who lived on the west coast, as her Sole Executor. He had visited the apartment on only a few occasions many years ago. In my phone conference with him that evening, I asked him inform me about stipulations in the Will of her bequests to family members, her Alma Mater and a few long term professional friends. Her Will directed that the Estate sell a sizable portion of her property to benefit her heirs. Then, after due diligence to generate cash, her executor was directed to donate the remainder of her property to charity. We all agreed that CancerCare was the perfect fit.
Given the size of her high couture wardrobe and the excellent condition of the clothing, I urged that we inventory her entire collection, get it appraised before proceeding with inviting vintage couture dealers and collectors to bid on buying all or some of it. He supported my suggestion that, after generating as much cash as possible from sales, we donate the remainder to CancerCare Thrift Shop.
But, I had to determine which of her items would be good inventory for the Thrift Shop, knowing that they have limited shop space and could not take much furniture.
BERGFELD’s honored her wishes. To generate cash for the Estate, we sold 86 items for handsome sum. The remaining 460 items from her wardrobe were donated to CancerCare Thrift Shop and generated record sales turned to proceeds for CancerCare’s “free, professional support for anyone affected by cancer.”
This story was recently featured in CancerCare’s own blog http://www.copelink.org/2012/02/support-our-free-services-by-donating-items-to-the-cancercare-thrift-shop/
Identifiable information about this client has been deleted or changed to protect the Estate’s privacy and identity. The Executor/Attorney has read and given approval to publish this story. – “Blog looks good. It brings a warm feeling. You have my approval.”
