Gerrit Hagenzieker
Charting a Safe Investment to Benefit Children in Uncertain Times

As a sea captain, Gerrit Hagenzieker spent his career charting safe passage for cargo ships around the world.

During retirement, faced with the uncertainties of the economy, Mr. Hagenzieker and his wife Margo, sought the safety of an investment with a guaranteed income. At the same time, the couple wanted to do something to help children.

About 10 years ago, the Hagenziekers decided to become members of The Legacy Society and put the children’s hospital in their will. "We are dedicated to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center,” Mr. Hagenzieker said. "but in the meantime we still need money to live on, so we wanted a guaranteed income we can depend upon."

The Hagenziekers took out a charitable gift annuity with CCMC and have been happy with the result. "We would recommend it absolutely to other people, "Mr. Hagenzieker says.

Debra Coleman Hyde, director of major gifts and planned giving at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, says charitable gift annuities "provide a secured, fixed income stream for life." There are tax advantages as well. "It is a gift with a great deal of benefits. You can take care of your family, get a tax deduction, and benefit a charity you care about.”

Mrs. Hagenzieker has also become involved with creating holiday displays for the children’s medical center and making exquisitely detailed quilts for CCMC. One quilt she made is also used by volunteers in the Reach Out and Read program, using the book, "The Quilter’s Gift." She scanned the pictures from the book into her computer and was able to stitch the pictures onto the quilt pieces.

After their first visit to Newington Children’s Hospital a decade ago, the Hagenziekers were “amazed” during their tour of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Mr. Hagenzieker remarks, "I got so excited. I think it is wonderful. To me, you can’t contribute better than to something that helps children.”

“A child is the most wonderful thing in the world,” Margo Hagenzieker adds.

"Older people want to leave a legacy behind to help children," says Mr. Hagenzieker. "An annuity is a wonderful way to do that."