One Couple Extends Their Generosity Into the Future

Following graduate school, Toby O'Berry moved to New York City to work at Morgan Stanley, never guessing that this move would have a profound impact on the rest of his life. Toby's office was on the 56th floor of Tower Two of the World Trade Center.

Like most Americans, Toby took stock of his life following September 11, 2001, and began thinking about what was most important to him. He decided he wanted to return to his roots in Iowa.

After returning home, he followed the example he had been shown by his parents throughout his life and began looking for a volunteer position working with youth. He knew of Orchard Place because his brother had been a client at the Orchard Place Campus when Toby was growing up. Feeling it was important to get to know an organization from the ground up, Toby began volunteering as a mentor. After having such a positive experience with several Orchard Place teens, he felt he was ready to contribute to the organization as a member of the board of directors. In 2007, Toby joined the Orchard Place Foundation board of directors and has since served as president of the Orchard Place Foundation and Operating Boards.

Toby and his wife, Kelly, who is a social worker with the Des Moines Public School District, feel it is important to give back to the community. They are strong supporters of planned giving because it provides the donor with a way to give more than they might otherwise be able to. Kelly also feels that making a planned gift is "a way to have some control over your assets after you're gone."

When Toby and Kelly were preparing their will following the birth of their 1-year-old daughter, Harper, they talked about which organizations they would like to impact after they are no longer here. Orchard Place was an obvious choice for them not only because of Toby's involvement, but also because Kelly's work with troubled youth in the school system has emphasized to her the importance of the programs offered by Orchard Place.

The O'Berrys have made a very generous gift to Orchard Place in their will and hope to increase the amount as years go by. Toby and Kelly feel that making a planned gift to an organization is not just for the wealthy, but for everyone. They hope their example will encourage others to give thoughtful consideration to making a gift in a will or other type of planned gift to Orchard Place.

To learn more about how you can make an impact in Des Moines communities through a planned gift to Orchard Place, contact Cayla Walsh at cwalsh@orchardplace.org or 515-287-9648.