Flying Samaritan Endows a Legacy of Low Income Health Care

Although he was not a medical doctor, A. Nash Williams certainly knew about health care. That's because he had been involved with The Flying Samaritans since 1968. An international, non-profit organization devoted to providing health care to low income families in Baja California, all Samaritan members are volunteers and all services are delivered without cost to the patients.

Nash, who was founder and president of the Foothill and Palomar Chapters of The Flying Samaritans, was supported by the volunteer efforts of UC Irvine and UC San Diego doctors, nurses and pre-med students for many years. So when he was ready to sell his rental property in Bonsall, he figured out a way to give back to UC San Diego, as well as benefit The Flying Samaritans. He contacted the UC San Diego Office of Gift Planning to set up a Charitable Remainder Unitrust(CRUT).

A CRUT provides numerous benefits to both the donor and the charity. In addition to the emotional benefits, donors can receive an income stream for life, a charitable income tax deduction in the year the trust is created, and if applicable property is used capital gains taxes may be partially eliminated. The charity receives much needed support for its efforts and, in many cases, these gifts continue in perpetuity.

For Nash, a CRUT made good sense. He was able to divest his rental property, receive a steady income stream in place of rental income, and still provide a significant benefit to both UC San Diego and The Flying Samaritans. Perhaps most importantly, Nash knew that after he was gone, the creation of UC San Diego's Flying Samaritans Endowment Fund would help ensure that his devotion to providing health care to low income people could continue for many generations to come. Before his passing in April, 2013, Nash said, "The work of The Flying Samaritans has been a tremendous benefit to me personally and to so many people. My hope is that others will join me in supporting this satisfying and essential effort to improve health care."

CRT, Endowment, Real Estate