Planning for Peace of Mind: Liz and Dave’s OrKidstra Legacy Giving Story
It is always a wonderful opportunity when we get to meet with OrKidstra’s supporters and learn more about their personal giving journeys. OrKidstra’s Director of Development and Communications Rebecca Russell recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Liz Cosgrove and Dave Wylie to chat about their passions and motivations. A caring and thoughtful couple with a deep appreciation for both music and community engagement, Liz and Dave have been a part of the OrKidstra family for several years now. “We stumbled upon OrKidstra through Facebook,” Liz recalls. “And we were intrigued by the story which ultimately led us to decide to donate.” Liz and Dave were also inspired to contribute by OrKidstra Ambassador and renowned pianist, Angela Hewitt. “We decided that if Angela is involved, we need to be as well!” Dave laughed.
Since retiring, Liz and Dave have had ample time to explore their many hobbies. “Golf is something we love to do together. I am an avid Gardener and a member of the Manotick Horticultural Society,” Liz shares. “I enjoy cooking and working in the yard,’ Dave chimes in, “but music, music is what keeps us young.”
Dave and Liz’s passion for music extends beyond mere appreciation, as both Liz and Dave actively participate in musical activities within the community. Liz, a former investment professional, is a member of the Barrhaven Community Concert Band and serves as the Music Minister at their church in Manotick. Dave, with a background in sales, lends his vocal talents to the Retrosonics band and the church choir. “I enjoy singing with the choir,” Dave says, “I get to share my talent and make other people’s days just a little bit brighter with the band.”
Reflecting on their personal experiences with music, Liz reminisces about the sense of belonging and joy that music brought her during her youth. “I play the flute” Liz explains. “And music was always a release for me. When I was in the band in High School, the band room was this place where everyone was always welcomed.” Dave also recognizes the impact music has had on his life. “I’ve always been very shy,” he shares. “But through music, I’ve been able to overcome it, which ultimately opened doors for me. That’s one thing I appreciate about OrKidstra, singing and playing music in front of people can help these young people, who may not have had the chance, to overcome their own challenges.”
Liz and Dave strongly believe that OrKidstra and music education, particularly group lessons, give children community and purpose. “OrKidstra teaches kids how to get along with one another, making them feel like they are welcome and belong,” Liz says, “and it’s good for the brain, including reading skills, math skills, and so much more.” Dave agrees, adding that “learning an instrument and playing music with others creates lasting bonds of friendship.”
As their commitment to and belief in OrKidstra grew, Liz and Dave decided to invest in the long-term sustainability of the program through legacy giving. “I have helped many people with their investments,” Liz says, drawing on her background in finance. “And we both feel it is important to give back. It’s so worthwhile and rewarding. In our Wills, we decided to have our funds distributed evenly amongst our kids and then leave gifts to a number of charities. Our bank helped us through the entire process.” She takes a moment to look at Dave. “We knew that OrKidstra was run properly. It was very important to us to only leave gifts to charities who would be good stewards of the funds. We have worked very hard for the money we’ve earned and just wanted to make sure it is dealt with, in the end, with respect.” With a nod, Dave adds, “I just think it’s important for people to give back when they can, with what time or resources they have. It’s simple to do!”
“Setting up a Will took some time, but it gave us such peace of mind,” Liz continues. Retired from a successful career supporting people with their investments, Liz kindly volunteered to be a touch point for OrKidstra donors interested in learning more about legacy giving. “It doesn’t cost you anything upfront and it provides such a sense of relief when it’s all taken care of. As a legacy donor myself, I would be happy to give my time to speak with them about the process.” If anyone would like to chat with Liz about legacy giving, simply get in touch with OrKidstra, and we’ll make the connection for you!
As passionate advocates for music education and youth empowerment, OrKidstra extends profound gratitude to Liz and Dave for their visionary foresight, commitment, and generosity, which will continue to enrich the lives of children and youth in the community for many years to come. To learn more about how you can create a legacy, we invite you to visit OrKidstra’s Will Power website or connect with Rebecca by email at [email protected] or by phone at 613.233.0166.
