I believe solicitation threads are frowned upon but I hope an exception might be made in this unusual circumstance.
As many of you know, Cristi left behind two young children when she passed away last month.
Her family has set up two college savings funds, one for each child. These are “529 plans” with which some of you may already be familiar. They enable contributions to grow tax-free, and can be used to meet any number of postsecondary educational costs. Classes or degree programs at colleges, community colleges, technical schools and other institutions would qualify. Funds may be used for tuition, room and board, books, or other fees. The children’s funds are run by CollegeAmerica, which is managed by American Funds (a mutual funds and annuity company). If you live in VA, you may be entitled to a state income tax deduction for your contribution (it is VA’s plan of choice–many states permit deductions to their particular state’s chosen 529 plan).
If you had been planning to contribute some money to a cause that honored Cristi and had not yet done so, this might be a good option, which is why I am posting about it.
A 529 fund can only have one beneficiary, so they have set up two funds. This does mean that you need to send your contribution in two checks, one for each child’s fund. Send payments to:
Northwestern Mutual
Attn: Brad Boogren
5045 Miller Rd
Flint, MI 48507
Make Checks Payable to: College America (note Diana Lamb or John Lamb in the memo field).
Thanks. Cristi’s brother wanted me to pass on that they have appreciated everyone support and are thankful for any contributions. Any other questions, I guess you should email me and I’ll answer them as best I can.
Hamish, my guy and I send cheques on a regular basis to the US, and we simply indicate on our cheque “US” at the end of the line where the dollar amount is written in numbers. Never had a problem with it.
I would assume it’s okay to contribute more than once. That is, say you’re like me and currently don’t have a lot of disposable income. You’d like to give X dollars, but you can only afford maybe half X. So you half X now and then more when you can.
That’s my plan, anyway. I’ve just paid one of my medical bills, so I’m now going to shoot a check for Cristi’s kids posthaste.
I know I am strapped for cash, but should be able to manage a small donation for the kids. Just give me a week or so. I guess the words that come to mind here for me is ~50% of something is better than a 100% of nothing . Unfortunately I don’t know who said it.
Indeed, this is a wonderful idea to further honor Cristi’s memory, Cranky. I must have missed this the first time this was on the front page, so I’m glad you bumped it. Feeling helpless in our grief is awful. Finding something concrete to do with it helps lessen the weight.
Cranky, is there a way to contribute to either/both fund(s) electronically? It wouldn’t be a problem to send money to someone else via paypal and have them send a check, I’m just wondering if that middle step is necessary or if there’s another way (and easier than the one I just outlined) to contribute other than by physical, personal check.
I just scheduled an electronic payment through my bank’s billpay system. When the payee isn’t a “normal” creditor (e.g., utilities, credit card company), then a physical check is sent by the bank to the payee.