Donor Profile: David & Marcia Lucas
Although it has been decades since their daughter Andrea attended the Christian Learning Center, David and Marcia Lucas have kept All Belong close to their hearts. Andrea, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome at her birth in 1978, attended CLC until her sudden passing in January 1986.The Christian Learning Center, as it was known at the time, was a school-within-a-school at Seymour Christian, and one of the only places Andrea could attend to receive a faith-based education.
“After Andrea was born it quickly became apparent that our family life had changed,” recalls Marcia.
“Although our older son was attending a faith-based school we did not have that option for Andrea in her preschool years. When we discovered the Christian Learning Center based in the Seymour Christian School building, it was an easy decision to send her there.”
In 1984, Marcia joined CLC’s board of directors, and served as president of the board until 1989, overseeing the launch of the first inclusive education model at Zeeland Christian School.
“As our family grew and I became a board member, we began to desire an even braver experience for Andrea and ALL children: inclusive education, where children of all abilities learn together side by side. What a dream! And it happened and continues to happen."
Andrea at school, taken from the 1985 - 1986 CLC Yearbook.The Lucas’ created a named endowment fund, the Andrea Rae Lucas Fund, with the memorial gifts after Andrea’s passing. This named fund allowed them to invite family and friends to give to All Belong in Andrea’s memory as well. As it grew, they then released those funds for specific projects, such as a suite of four videos equipping church leaders for inclusion.
When David and Marcia Lucas wrote their estate plan, they decided to honor Andrea’s memory through a gift to All Belong. By doing so, they joined the All Belong Legacy Circle.
“Andrea’s life is important to us, to her extended family and her former teachers, fellow students and friends. We want to encourage and support other families who experience the joy and challenge of raising a child who needs help to be fully included in all parts of family life.”
Join the All Belong Legacy Circle
Have you thought about including a gift to All Belong in your will? Would you like to join the Lucas’ and many of our committed supporters by becoming a member of All Belong’s Legacy Circle? By including a gift to All Belong in your will, you ensure that the work of creating inclusive communities in schools and churches continues for generations to come.
To assist supporters like you in this process, All Belong is privileged to partner with Barnabas Foundation, a recognized provider of Biblically-based planned giving. Barnabas works with donors Join the All Belong Legacy Circle like you to develop an estate plan which meets your individual and family needs and reflects your values.
Barnabas Foundation’s confidential estate planning expertise is available to you at no charge – thanks to the 200 Christian member organizations that make this valuable service possible.To learn more about becoming a member of the Legacy Circle, please contact All Belong’s advancement director, Jonathan Helder, at (616) 855-3109 or jhelder@clcnetwork.org or visit clcnetwork.org/legacy.
Passionate about inclusive education? Make a contribution to All Belong to help us create inclusive communities for persons of all abilities.
Jonathan Helder is the advancement director at All Belong.