Longtime Member Supports Mission with Arbor Day Charitable Gift AnnuityImogene RainesImogene Raines says being a member of the Arbor Day Foundation has always given her pride. “Over the years, I would drop other organizations I contributed to, but I consistently kept up my membership to Arbor Day.” 
“To me, their mission was more important than anything else,” says Mrs. Raines. “I’m pleased to have one of the Arbor Day Charitable Gift Annuities. This is where I want my support to go, and it's what I believe in.” With a father who worked in the forest service, trees and the outdoors have always been a part of Imogene's family. “We lived in the country as children. Of course during the depression, you didn't have much, so you used what you had around you to entertain yourself. We’d head off to the pasture and woods and I’d find comfort by climbing a tree. I was the best tree climber in the family.” Imogene has enjoyed passing on her passion and respect for nature to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as the many students she taught in 25 years as a teacher. Imogene told us, “It does make me feel good to know that I helped connect so many children with nature and the outdoors. When I see students who have grown up, it’s good to hear those experiences have stayed with them. We’ll talk and they’ll remember the times we spent outdoors learning about trees and wildlife—and they’re passing it on to their kids.” “I think it’s the responsibility of the Arbor Day Foundation, with the support of members like me, to pass on to today’s children a respect for the environment. It’s all tied together. If they have that love of trees and nature, they won’t destroy the things they love.” |