As a not-for-profit organization, The Living Center is many times dependent upon private donations to further enhance the environment and overall livelihood of our residents. Projects that are seemingly a distant dream can become a reality with support from friends and families. We have various donor opportunities, many of which provide lasting recognition of your loved one or anyone you designate.
There are several ways you can support The Living Center. Click on the plus sign to learn about each option.
The Living Center General Fund
The fund provides support to a wide array of worthy endeavors at The Living Center. Your donation makes possible things like an aquarium for our 1st Floor and 2nd Floor Residents or a power wheelchair for a Resident. Giving to the General Fund provides us with flexibility in providing financial support to the area of greatest need.
Creative Care Neighborhood
We’re leading the way back home…
Our Creative Care Neighborhood is only possible with support from the families and friends of The Living Center. There are many ways you can show your support and perhaps celebrate the life of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. The Giving Tree is displayed at the entrance to The Neighborhood, adorned with dozens of leaves, clouds in the “sky” above it, and stones surrounding its trunk.
Levels of Support:
Cloud – $5,000 Installs a elegant cloud above The Giving Tree engraved with the name of the donor and if appropriate, the individual being honored.
Large Stone – $2,500 Installs a 7″ X 5″ bronze stone below The Giving Tree engraved with the name of the donor and, if appropriate, the individual being honored.
Small Stone – $1,000 Installs a 5″ X 3″ bronze stone below The Giving Tree engraved with the name of the donor and, if appropriate, the individual being honored.
Large Leaf – $500 Installs on the tree a 4″ X 1_” brass leaf engraved with the name of the donor OR the individual being honored.
Small Leaf – $250 Installs on the tree a 2″ X 1″ brass leaf engraved with the name of the donor OR the individual being honored
Thelma D. Mertz Memory Garden
Remembrance. Reminiscence. Rebirth.
The Thelma D. Mertz Memory Garden is designed to be a quiet place where Residents, families, and staff can reflect and remember. It was created in 2007 and has become a beloved place on The Highlands’ campus. The garden’s namesake was a compassionate nurse, an avid gardener, and a friend of The Living Center.
With so much interest from our families and friends, we need more space for plantings and seating areas installed to celebrate the life of a loved one. Your support at the Guardian level will provide the funds needed to make our garden addition a reality.
Levels of Support:
Guardian – over $1500 Provides funds for the eternal maintenance of the garden as well as future additions. Recognition of the person being memorialized/honored and the donor is uniquely and individually created.
Rest a While – up to $1500 Provides funds for teakwood benches, chairs, and other seating. The name of the person being memorialized/honored and/or the donor will be displayed on a brass plaque on the furniture item.
Green Thumb – up to $500 Provides funds for plants, trees, and shrubs. The name of the person being memorialized/honored and/or the donor will be displayed near the item(s) purchased on a flagstone plaque.
Bricklayer – $100 or more Each $100 donation will provide funds for one memorial brick that will outline the walkways of the garden. Each brick will be inscribed with the name of the person being memorialized/honored.
Employee Appreciation Fund
One of the single most important parts of The Living Center are the employees who go above and beyond for our Residents. We enjoy recognizing our dedicated staff. The Employee Appreciation Fund provides a way for families and friends to show their support for caregivers.
Because The Living Center has a very strict “no tipping” policy, The Employee Appreciation Fund is an acceptable and equitable way to recognize all the employees of The Living Center. Thank you for your considerate support.
Chaplain's Fund
The Chaplain’s Fund supports the many spiritual services provided by Our Chaplain. Your donation would provide funds for conducting our Celebration of Life Memorial Services as well as much needed one-on-one support for Residents and their families.
Annual Giving
Many individuals set aside a designated amount per year for charitable donations. We would be honored if part of your annual giving was directed to The Living Center. Your gift could be specified to any of our funds and annually we will send you a reminder so that you can provide your gift in a timely manner allowing you to take advantage of any available tax deductions.
United Way Donor Designation
As a United Way Donor Designee, The Living Center takes part in the United Way of Greater Rochester’s annual campaign. Whether through your place of employment or outside of work, your participation in the United Way campaign can help The Living Center.Simply fill out the Donor Designation Form provided by your United Way coordinator and specify The Living Center. Our donor designation number is 2465.
Tax-Wise Gift Giving
There are many ways in which friends of The Living Center can express their appreciation for the wonderful work which is done here.
Gifts of Assets
The simplest way to support The Living Center is through cash gifts, but creative gifts of assets can include appreciated assets such as securities or real estate. These can not only provide charitable deductions, but often offer additional tax savings as well.
Gifts by Will
Through various types of bequests for The Living Center, you may secure a charitable estate-tax deduction for the value of the gift. Best of all, you will know that your generosity will support The Living Center for years to come.
Gifts That Pay You Income
Do you want to help support The Living Center, but worry about having enough income for yourself and your loved ones? Life-income gifts, such as gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts can provide donors with an income stream, significant tax savings, and the satisfaction of supplying The Living Center with vital long-term resources.
Gifts of Retirement Fund Assets
You may consider using retirement fund assets to make a significant gift that will support The Living Center. Because of the estate and income-tax treatment of retirement fund assets, the cost of your gift to your estate and heirs is often relatively small.