Donna Asbill

Donna and Tom Asbill had never heard of NAM. But when their friends, Joe and Linda Fowler, invited them to one of the first Jeans & Jewels galas, they graciously accepted. They enjoyed the evening, and sometime later Donna saw an article in her neighborhood newsletter about NAM's need for volunteers. So she attended a volunteer orientation and signed up to deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors.

That was more than a decade ago. In the years since, Donna has delivered hundreds of meals, driven dozens of seniors to medical appointments through NAM's Senior Wheels program, attended numerous events to benefit NAM, and offered generous, faithful financial support.

Tom passed away two and a half years ago, but Donna continues to support the organization that meant so much to both of them. "Tom believed in NAM," she said. "When I went through NAM's volunteer orientation, I was blown away by all that NAM does. And once you meet the people that you're helping...well, it was an awakening."

To continue their support well into the future, Donna recently decided to make a planned gift by designating a portion of her IRA to the NAM Endowment Fund. "There's a need," says Donna. "I thought that was a good use of an IRA. And you know, we can't take it with us."

These days, Donna enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren and parents. She is active at her church, Tallowood in the Memorial area, and continues to care for seniors at NAM through the Senior Wheels program.

Giving, she says, was always a way of life for her and Tom. And she encourages others to do the same. "We give so people will be cared for. It's what God called us to do," say says. "Bottom line, I think God wants us to do it." (Featured in Summer 2014 NAM Endowment Fund Newsletter)