The most inspiring part of my role at the Canadian Red Cross is meeting with and getting to know our donors. It’s wonderful to learn about their unique connection to the Canadian Red Cross as they share such interesting stories. I was delighted to meet Gail and learn of her raison d'etre which she is so very proud of.
Gail and I met in 2023 and connected immediately with our shared passion for the Red Cross. Gail was thrilled to receive her legacy pin – a pin exclusively for donors who have included a gift in their Will for the Red Cross.
As a young child, I vividly remember driving from our home in Sudbury to Toronto, Ontario the morning after Hurricane Hazel hit. As we passed through this devastated area, I saw the Red Cross helping people, and in this moment, I witnessed the power of compassion in action. That same spirit of caring followed me home, where I would spend hours playing nurse. I’d carefully line up my dolls and teddy bears to administer first aid wearing a makeshift nurses cap my mother had fashioned from toilet paper.
When I was 14, I joined my high school’s Red Cross Club to make friends in a new town. A year and a half later, I was President.
The Values that Guide my Charitable Giving
Eventually I became a nurse, fulfilling my childhood dream. Caring for others is something I’ve always wanted to do, and it is something I still do to this day, even though I’m now retired. Nursing has always been my raison d’être.
Gail Kelley, compassionate nurse who wants to create a world where there is peace and kindness.
Monthly donor and Member of Red Cross Legacy Circle.
Throughout my life, I’ve tried to embody the spirit of compassion and service. I’ve volunteered at food banks and homeless shelters, and run support groups for bereaved families. I believe it’s a human need to be respected and treated kindly. I’ve always said, “We’re all flowers in God’s garden, after all.”
Why I Chose A Legacy Gift to the Canadian Red Cross
When it came time to update my Will again after my husband died, I knew I wanted to include the Canadian Red Cross. I already give to the Canadian Red Cross monthly because they work around the world. I don’t want this to stop once I’m gone. My gift means that I can continue to help people in desperate situations.My vision for the future is one of peace and kindness. I hope my legacy gift will inspire others to think beyond themselves. Don’t be afraid to do it. I often say, “Just think if you were down and out. Who do you think would come to your aid? That’s the Red Cross.”
Through the gift in my Will, I know that my lifetime of caring will extend far into the future. I will touch the lives of people I’ll never meet. This is a thought that brings me comfort, knowing that I can continue to make a difference even after I’m gone.
Ready to explore how you can be part of the Canadian Red Cross story for generations to come? Visit Secure Your Legacy: Gift in Will to Canadian Red Cross.
