Townsend Tanner and Grady Byrd

Board Member Townsend Tanner '03 graduated almost 50 years after Grady Byrd '57, P'80, GP'07, GP'11, GP'22. Despite their age difference, the two Greenies are Christ School's newest planned givers. They sat down together to discuss their passion for Christ School and their commitment to Planned Giving.

CS: Why did you decide to commit to Planned Giving with Christ School?

GB: Simply put, I think it's the thing to do. It's important to me and my family. We've had so many involvements at the school with our children. I think there are six of us who either attended or graduated from here. I hope my grandsons follow suit in giving. The important part is leaving something. It doesn't matter what it is as long as it's for Christ School.

TT: It really shows our desire to help the school in perpetuity. We're both in completely different points in our lives but realize how important this place has been for both of us. It was time to make it formal to include Christ School in our estate plans.

CS: What would you tell people who are considering supporting Christ School through Planned Giving?

GB: It's important for the school, and I think it's important for the individual that is giving. Giving should make you feel good. It's something inside that says, "Christ School has done a great deal for me." My favorite slogan about this place is "Where would I be without Christ School?" You start thinking about that idea and ask that question and somewhere along the way it's going to ring a bell. Christ School helped me, and what it did for me is unbelievable. I have no idea where I would be without it.

TT: The reason to do it now is not the gift outright, it's the intent of the gift. To show that there is intent to do it at such a young age really goes back to putting our money where our mouths are. We know we would not be here today without Christ School's help. And I want the students, alumni, grandparents, or anyone thinking about making a gift in perpetuity, to know that's why it's so important and to act now.

CS: Grady, you've only missed one Asheville School game. Why did you miss the one? GB: As I recall, I was in Birmingham, AL, and had gone to work for Belk Department Store. That was the first time I've missed, and I don't think I've missed any others. My wife has seen almost as many as I've seen! She is a great believer in Christ School - she used to come out here to the dances.

CS: There are lots of ways to make a planned gift. Tell us what you and your family decided to do?

TT: The easiest way for me was to make CS a primary beneficiary of my 401K plan through work, so there's a percentage attached for Christ School. It's the easiest way to do it without attorneys or changing wills and documents. On the financial side, for me, it's the most appropriate way for CS to get it through a retirement plan.

GB: We have a trust established. At the point of my demise, that would be the time that my gift would come forward to CS. We just finished 68 69 completing our current amendment to our will three weeks ago.

TT: Sometimes you have to get professionals involved. Just ask them the question of "How?" It won't take them long, if they know your situation, to steer you in one direction or another. Or, in Grady's case, there's more time and people involved. The way I did it happens to be financially, tax-wise, the best situation for my family and the school.

CS: What excites you about the future of Christ School? GB: What excites me is Paul. He's an exciting headmaster. I was on the Board here, and I have witnessed the leadership of Mr. Dave all the way to Paul Krieger. There is no question that Paul has done a tremendous job for Christ School.

TT: What excites me, and why I want to give to the endowment as well, is that Christ School is on par with every other boarding school in the country. There is not an area where the school is lacking, except for the endowment. The idea to keep the school operating in perpetuity is the reason to do it now. 4

GB: I don't think there is any question that our endowment is the need. I was on the Board in the 1960s. I recently found a picture in the paper of Mr. Dave, me, and several other people. It was commemorating the beginning of the David Page Harris Fund, which, as I understand it, has grown considerably as a part of the endowment. I was so impressed with how Christ School went through the recession and gained students, and it amazes me how the school was able to maneuver through 2007-2009.

TT: It took several million dollars in the endowment at that time. When the next dip comes, we're going to need a larger endowment to allow the school to do the things it needs to do.

CS: Thank so much for your commitment to Planned Giving and for taking the time to talk to us!