Michelle's 3 siblings and their parents smile for the camera. From left to right: Daniel, Kelvin, Mom, Dad, Michelle and Curtis.

When Michelle Lee started thinking about how she could give back to the hospitals that cared for her family over the last 20 years, she decided to include SHN in her life insurance policy.

Living and growing up in Scarborough, Birchmount hospital (previously Scarborough Grace) was their family hospital. She recalls the many hours she spent there when her dad suffered health problems, reflecting on the compassion and support of the staff.

“The hospital is amazing, the staff were absolutely wonderful and the doctor caring for my dad truly went above and beyond,” Michelle tells us.

“She kept my dad alive for as long as she could, giving us extra time with him. She was so dedicated to my father’s care that she would even respond when she wasn’t working.”

Michelle and her family became close with all of the staff caring for her dad, and team members from every shift came to know them and ask them how they were doing.

This connection to Scarborough and SHN prompted Michelle to add the hospitals to her life insurance policy. She was familiar with the process of adding a non-profit as a beneficiary of her life insurance policy, and through her life insurance agent she started the process of ensuring SHN was on her policy.

“It makes a lot of sense to give this way because it’s not just a one-time fixed donation,” Michelle says. “Not only does it act as a bit of a tax shelter for me, but more importantly it means in the end SHN will receive a lot more than the actual amount of insurance I’ve taken out.”

Michelle believes it’s important to give back because helping others is near and dear to her heart. “I truly believe donations are not just about money. The more you give the more you get, and giving makes us happier and more fulfilled.”

Michelle encourages other to give back to causes they care about, whether it’s donating, volunteering or helping in any way they can. Especially around the holidays when the spirit of giving is in the air, and when people may need a little extra help to celebrate.

If you would like to learn more about how you can make a legacy gift to SHN, visit our Legacy Giving page or reach out to Verna Chen, Associate Vice President, Donor Engagement at VChen@shn.ca or (416)438-2911 extension 6040.

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Learn about the benefits of making a gift of securities before the end of 2020

There are many ways to make a legacy gift in support of SHN Foundation, including gifts of life insurance like Michelle, or through gifts of securities.

Donating appreciated securities is simple, cost-effective and the most tax-efficient way to make a charitable gift today or through your estate. You can donate bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and shares that are listed on stock exchanges.

A gift of securities can also be made as a current gift with the tax receipt used to offset net income tax in the current year or carry forward. It can also be made as a bequest in your Will and the receipt will be issued to your estate.

To learn more, visit our Gift of Securities page.