My financial planner contacted me and advised that I could make my required distribution from my retirement savings - non-tax bearing - by giving directly to my charities of choice.

I contributed my tithe to two churches and then started thinking about other organizations I wanted to support.

Emerald Youth Foundation came to mind immediately.

I had been making monthly donations to Emerald and quickly recognized this as an opportunity to contribute further.

My late husband, Coach Bill Wilson, introduced me to Emerald Youth when it first started more than three decades ago. We attended a small prayer breakfast and decided we would support this group. Look at this breakfast now - with nearly 2,000 people attending annually!

I appreciate Emerald Youth's values and adaptability. Their leadership is outstanding.

This way of giving is a "win-win" for me and Emerald Youth Foundation.

Linda Wilson