Gift & Estate Planning

Dr. Barbara Andersen, center, surrounded by her husband and children

A Bigger Vision Inspires Legacy Gift

As the saying goes, "Dynamite comes in tiny packages!" So explains the captivating and inspirational personality of Dr. Barbara Andersen. This five-foot dynamo with a smile that radiates like summer sunshine knows no limits to helping others.

Barbara's Pennsylvania childhood home attracted many victims of the Great Depression who were in need of assistance. Though her family was not wealthy, they always shared their provisions no matter how meager they might be. "I never realized there was any other way than the example provided by my parents," Barbara says. Seeing the plight of those she encountered influenced Barbara's decision to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her Bachelor of Science and master's degree in nursing.

Barbara, a scholarship student, supported herself by typing papers for law students and saving every penny she could. Although Barbara's mother gave her a quarter a day for a hamburger and drink, the frugal Barbara opted for the fifteen cent milkshake and saved the extra dime.

A Passion for Helping Others
With four young children to rear, a nursing degree and a true passion to help others, Barbara took on the world in an era when women had few opportunities available to them. She traveled into the poorest sections of Philadelphia, the migrant fields of New Jersey and the government-supported areas of small southern cities to provide medical care and support to the homeless, down-trodden and forgotten members of society. She provided education and training to her students and the surrounding communities to garner support and understanding of why these unfortunate members of society found themselves in this situation, and how to best intervene and prevent these situations from occurring.

Barbara received her doctorate of education from UGA while her four children and husband, Richard, were also enrolled at the University of Georgia. The family still laughs about "Free Pizza Tuesdays" in the early 1980s, when a local establishment would provide free pizza to anyone with a valid student ID.

"That was family night—the one night we would take a break from our studies and enjoy being together," she says.

Her family remains close. These days you may find Barbara acting in a community theater production alongside her children; cheering on her grandchildren; or staffing, managing and raising money with her family for The Bigger Vision Athens Inc., a community shelter they have nurtured and grown, which cares for the homeless and displaced. Visit www.biggervisionathens.org to learn more about the shelter.

Empowering Students to Reach Out
Barbara's frugal nature enabled her to create a charitable remainder trust, which will provide support for students studying in the UGA College of Public Health. Barbara's belief in the power of education to improve community health inspired this decision.

"I hope the recipients will use this opportunity to help others," she says. "I don't want boundaries set in this gift, because I believe the recipients can see new things. Hopefully they will have a vision that far surpasses anything I have ever imagined."

Barbara's legacy is certainly a bigger vision.

The information in this website is not intended as legal advice. For legal advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to income tax apply to federal taxes only. Federal estate tax, state income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.