First-Ever Loomes Legacy Luncheon Relaunches our Planned Giving Program

The Loomes Legacy Circle at Girls Inc. of Alameda County provides the opportunity for you to create a permanent legacy, and to bring your intentional philanthropic support of Girls Inc. of Alameda County into your long-term financial, and estate planning.

Legacy gifts strengthen our mission and help ensure the stability and longevity of our organization for years to come, changing communities and enabling generational impact.

This Valentine’s Day, we hosted our first-ever Loomes Legacy Circle Luncheon to commemorate the relaunch of our legacy giving program and to celebrate, appreciate and thank some of our longest standing supporters.  Aside from delicious food, the luncheon also featured a powerful program.

Laura Tao, a Girls Inc. champion for nearly 40 years, shared touching words about her late partner, Pat Sousa. Pat shared in Laura’s passion for our mission, so much so that she included us (so generously) as a beneficiary in her will.  Pat was the picture of Strong, Smart & Bold. After quitting school to work at a glass factory, she obained her GED, became first female Union President, the first female crew leader at an Oakland plant and the first woman to be promoted to management, retiring as a Service Engineer in 1984. Although she excelled at her craft, the realities of racism, sexism and inequality she witnessed in her many years of factory work motivated her gift to Girls Inc. of Alameda County.

Guests also heard from the wonderful and vibrant Carolyn Doelling. Now 77 years old, she is a professional fashion model, writer and speaker, passionate about challenging the general perceptions of aging and dismantling today’s beauty standards. Carolyn spoke about the importance of representation and inclusion–for our youth and for all ages—concepts that are vital to our hiring practices, agency values and program curriculum.

Love was certainly felt around the room this Valentine’s Day, as attendees shared a meal, shared their stories and shared connection.