Barbara Saka applies the values of her upbringing to personal philanthropy
Barbara Saka’s life, career, and remarkable generosity have been guided by snippets of wisdom from her mother. One phrase stands out: “If everyone helped one other person, no one would be in need.”
Today, Barbara and her husband, Victor, live by those words through their steadfast support of Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and the Stanford School of Medicine.
“We always felt like [Stanford] was the real deal,” Barbara says. “The money is going to scientific studies and helping children. Those are very valued things in our community, and we’re glad that we live near and can help support it.”
In addition to being committed volunteers, the Sakas have also ensured their impact will last for generations by including a future gift to Packard Children’s through their estate plan and making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from Barbara’s IRA.
Following Her Sister’s Footsteps
Barbara first learned about Packard Children’s from her sister with special needs, who often visited the Thrift Box, a bustling shop in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood that is run entirely by volunteers from the San Jose Auxiliary.
“My sister had so much to say about how lovely it was and how all the proceeds went to Packard Children’s Hospital,” Barbara remembers. Witnessing her sister’s need for care deepened Barbara’s understanding of the importance of access to high-quality medical services. “I was very much drawn to it,” she says.
Nearly a decade ago, Barbara and Victor biked to “The Box” to learn more, and they have been involved ever since. Barbara still takes regular shifts at the shop, while Victor periodically lends his handyman skills and his time in support.
Through her work with the San Jose Auxiliary, Barbara discovered the transformative programs at Packard Children’s and the groundbreaking research at Stanford School of Medicine. She holds a special place in her heart for the Teen Van, a mobile clinic for uninsured and underinsured local youth, and donates annually to support its mission.
Expanding Their Impact
Barbara and Victor deepened their commitment by planning for the future. In addition to including a gift to the the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health in their estate plan, the Sakas used a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA to increase their annual giving to the Teen Van. Donors over 70½ can give directly from their IRA to a qualified charity like the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health without paying income taxes on the gift.
Barbara and Victor are proud that their careful financial stewardship has enabled them to be generous throughout their lifetimes, and retirement is no exception.
“I’m coming of an age where I’m going to have to start taking money out of my retirement account each year,” Barbara explains. “And I thought, why not give back? It’s a win-win if you have enough that you’ve put aside.”
Living by Her Mother’s Wisdom
Another guiding phrase from Barbara’s mother: “What if everyone did this?” Whether she was talking about a good deed or a bad one, this question always made Barbara pause and reflect.
Today, Barbara continues to honor those words through her volunteer work and philanthropic support of Packard Children’s.
What if everyone gave their time and treasure to ensure a healthier future? Barbara smiles: “The world would be a happier place.”
If you would like to learn more about achieving your charitable goals through a planned gift, our team would be delighted to connect!