Husband's Legacy Continues Through NRA

Kathe Arzdorf Donates Husbands Collection and Creates Lifetime Income

Siegfried and Kathe Arzdorf met at the height of World War II. When their paths crossed, love immediately blossomed.

Soon after the war ended, the young couple took a steamship from Europe to New York. Once arriving stateside, they looked for a community that would feel like home and found Towaco, New Jersey. In this quiet suburban enclave, the Arzdorf's built a successful foam cutting machine business, which was new to the U.S., and thrived in their American life.

Siegfried, an enthusiastic firearms collector, amassed an impressive collection of handguns, shotguns, and rifles throughout more than 50 years in America. This collection was one of his prides and he enjoyed shooting and hunting with his firearms up and down the East Coast.

While planning for the future, the Arzdorf's contacted the National Rifle Association and opened a charitable gift annuity. This annuity provided them with income for the rest of their lives, with any remainder going directly to The NRA Foundation.

When Siegfried passed away in 1996, Kathe found out that Siegfried had collected more firearms than she realized. Now that they were all hers, she did not know what to do with them. Although she is a lifetime lover of freedom and personal responsibility, Kathe was never a shooter or a hunter. Therefore, when faced with the prospect of disposing of her husband's firearms, Kathe did not know where to turn. In fact, she mulled the decision for nearly a decade before she decided she wanted to contact the National Rifle Association for help.

Not sure about what she would find out, Kathe was surprised and pleased to learn that Siegfried's firearms could be donated in memory of her late husband and continue their community legacy of philanthropy. Shortly thereafter, Kathe opened a second gift annuity to supplement her other annuity and ensure a financially steady retirement for herself. Both annuities pay Kathe for the rest of her life - no matter how long she lives - and have generated substantial tax savings.

By donating her late husband's firearms and opening her own annuity, Kathe began her personal relationship with the NRA. "When Siegfried passed, I was alone and worried about our entire estate. Creating a lasting legacy of him by donating his firearms to NRA is something that would provides me with a great sense of pride. In addition, knowing that for the rest of my life the NRA's gift annuities will give me a check is a source of comfort."

Many NRA members and firearm owners are faced with both problems the Arzdorf's encountered; how to plan for retirement and what to do with their firearms once they can no longer use them. Retirement planning is complex and should be looked at from a long-term perspective. One option available to everyone is a charitable gift annuity. In exchange for a one-time lump sum gift, the annuity provides back the potential for a tax deduction and provides the donor with income for life. It surprises many donors to learn that their firearms can be a source of funding for a gift annuity. Not knowing where to turn for help with a firearms collection causes confusion and many will unknowingly give away or sell the firearms well below their value. By working through NRA, a staff representative will assist the donor in coordinating an independent assessment of their firearms collection.

The NRA is able to assist anyone interested in liquidating a firearms collection into a stream of income. Donating is convenient, fast, and cost-free. If you would like to find out more about creating a permanent stream of income for yourself or know of someone the NRA can assist, please contact plannedgiving@nrahq.org or call (877) NRA-GIVE. Consultations are free and confidential.

You too can leave a legacy. Contact (877) 672-4483 or email plannedgiving@nrahq.org to learn more.