Gary Alexander: A Passion For Giving Back

For some, retirement is a time to take it easy; Sandy Springs resident Gary Alexander has other plans. The recently retired financial planner traded in his suits and ties and gladly gave up his Atlanta commute, yet his days are fuller than ever. That’s because his life’s work has been replaced by his life’s passion: giving back.

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is just one of many beneficiaries of Gary’s philanthropic endeavors. He is on the board of the Georgia Council on Economic Education, the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society. He was appointed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to the Georgia Holocaust Commission and he was elected to serve on his homeowner’s association board both at home and at the beach, where he and his wife of 47 years, Sam, like to vacation.

“I am busy, yes,” he says. “But I am doing what I want to do. I am giving back to a society that has allowed me to make these decisions for my life—to be actively involved and support causes I care about.”

Although his volunteer hours have more than doubled since his retirement, Gary’s altruism is nothing new. In fact, it was his early involvement in causes tied to kids’ health that led him and Sam to Children’s. One experience, in particular, remains close to the couple’s hearts.

“Our neighbors had a baby girl named Lauren who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma,” says Gary. “Every day they took her for help and she received the best treatment possible, but unfortunately, she passed. When her parents started a fundraiser called Lauren’s Run, I was the fundraising chair and Sam did their logo. That began our venture into helping to raise money to cure childhood disease, and cancer in particular. Any organization trying to give boys and girls an opportunity to live a full life—that’s what we should be supporting.”

Gary and Sam have made this their personal mission. They have been loyal donors to Children’s for more than 30 years and as a Children’s Legacy Advisor, Gary has helped clients and other community members identify their personal philanthropic passions and direct charitable dollars to Children’s and other worthy organizations. In addition, Gary and Sam have decided to make Children’s part of their lasting legacy.

“My wife and I have left a nice donation from our estate that Children’s will receive after we’re gone,” says Gary. “Children are messengers of a future we won’t see. We want to guarantee their safe passage and we can do that by working together to educate and care for them.”

Leave Your Legacy

There are many ways you can make a difference at Children’s with a gift for the future. To learn more about including us in your will, like Gary and Sam have, or other planned gifts, contact Ward Sullivan at 404-785-9809 or ward.sullivan@choa.org.