Gratitude and Giving Amid Life's Trials

Sally Martin says she has a “blessed life” despite losing her husband at age 47 and three of her five children to cystic fibrosis. She learned a long time ago that “God is in control, and that by giving God his due, He’s always taken care of me. I have always had trust and peace about my life.”

Since retiring from the Arlington ISD, after teaching science and working as an assistant in the school clinic, Sally devotes her time and resources to her parish, St. Maria Goretti in Arlington; her prayer group in Dallas; and several other groups and organizations special to her. In 2011, at the coaxing of her daughter who does her taxes, she began making her gifts to these and other charities via the IRA charitable rollover, now a permanent provision of federal law. “It was a practical reason that got me started—not paying so much income tax. This made it easier to give and then done is done.”

Five years later, Sally is still living her life with gratitude and using her IRA as the vehicle to distribute her charitable giving. “God is so good! It makes me happy to give,” she exclaimed.

Like Sally, you can extend gratitude and support to others through charitable organizations that are important to you. Contact Renée Underwood, CFRE at 817-533-7242 or plannedgiving@adv-fdn.org to make a gift to the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth.