Ed Lombard set foot on the campus of Pine Castle in 2015 and says he’s never been the same. “Everything I experienced at Pine Castle impressed me incredibly. The job training and on campus employment were amazing. The Wood Shop team still blows me away with their ability to use some pretty scary equipment, turning out surveying stakes and handcrafted items from the leftovers! But the one thing that always stood out from that first visit was meeting Percy Howliet. His infectious good humor and welcoming heart were unforgettable. No wonder he’s still called ‘The Mayor of Pine Castle’!”

Since then, Ed has dedicated time and talent to the Board of Directors, now serving his second six-year term. He’s also an Inspirations Society Member, giving annually to support the programs at Pine Castle. Ed also shared that he likes to take an active role in things he cares about. An Army veteran and graduate of Flagler College, Ed’s motto is “service above self” and stated, “I like to keep active and accomplish things, not simply talk about them. I serve on several boards and am active in my Rotary club.”

So, when Ed heard that Pine Castle was launching the Evergreen Legacy Society, he decided to take action and increase his commitment to include a gift from his estate. “As a financial planner and retirement advisor for over twenty years, I know how crucial planning is. Planning for our later years and what we want our legacy to be is very important to me, and I encourage all my clients to do the same. If we don’t plan well, we can have issues later in life that could have easily been avoided – and our loved ones often pay the price.”

The same can be said for making sure the causes we care about are supported when we’re no longer here. Ed decided a beneficiary designation from a life insurance policy was the best way for him to remember Pine Castle. Since he’s not married and has no children, there was no need to think about tax implications such as with an IRA or other retirement accounts. Those beneficiary designations can carry with them added taxes for heirs, but life insurance doesn’t. However – with no direct heirs, Ed was free to use his insurance as a great vehicle for his gift for Pine Castle. And, as Ed said recently, “It’s the simplest legacy gift plan to make. You don’t have to change your will or trust. You just download the beneficiary designation form and fill it out. An advisor or broker can help and it’s quick and easy!”

As a dedicated supporter of Pine Castle, Ed hopes that sharing his long-term commitment to Pine Castle will help others make the important decision to plan ahead and create a gift plan for Pine Castle too. We’re proud to welcome Ed as our newest “Founding Member” of the Evergreen Legacy Society and hope you’ll be our next!

For more information about giving and the Evergreen Legacy Society, please contact Anthony Sutton, Chief Development Officer, at [email protected] , or visit Pine Castle’s Legacy Giving website to download our helpful Estate Planning Guide today.