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Bonita and Doug Vanderkooi chose Best Friends Animal Society to receive their wealth because, as Bonita put it, “We love Best Friends.” A feature published by the organization on January 3, 2024, describes that decision as the culmination of a two-decade relationship with its Sanctuary, its volunteers and the animals the couple loved.
Why the Vanderkoois chose Best Friends
After decades working for State Farm, Bonita and Doug considered who should inherit most of the wealth they had saved. According to Best Friends’ account, they had little disagreement: they loved the organization and decided to leave it their wealth. Bonita described the Sanctuary as her favorite place on the planet. The story notes that the couple had no children.
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The choice was personal rather than an endorsement of a particular giving strategy. The feature offers no monetary value for the planned gift and does not disclose detailed estate-plan terms.
A relationship with the Sanctuary that spanned decades
The Best Friends feature says the Vanderkoois had been members for 20 years. They visited the Sanctuary annually and volunteered there, building memories over repeated trips. The story also reports that six of their deceased pets were interred at Angels Rest.
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One memory came from a visit to Dogtown, where the couple encountered trainer John Garcia. The feature identifies Garcia as a star of The Champions, their favorite documentary. It describes the film as covering Best Friends’ role in rescuing 22 dogs confiscated from NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring. The dogs became known as the Vicktory Dogs; the story says many later became therapy dogs, canine good citizens and family pets.
Bonita recalled that one of the dogs shared her name: “And by the way,” she said, “one of them was named Bonita.”
How the feature says they arranged the gift
Bonita told Best Friends that the couple made their wishes official online in a few minutes. She described leaving a legacy to the organization as easy and mentioned retirement assets, life insurance and annuities as possible sources for a gift. Her account is specific to the Vanderkoois; the feature does not compare these options or explain their legal, tax or financial consequences.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallReaders considering a planned gift should not treat this personal account as financial or estate-planning advice. The article does not establish that the same process, assets or terms will suit another donor.
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What their story shows—and what it does not
The feature traces the decision to a durable connection: membership, annual visits and volunteer work, memories of particular animals, and the couple’s affection for the Sanctuary. It is a portrait of one couple’s choice, not evidence about typical donors or the usual experience of making a legacy gift.
Best Friends Animal Society published the account on January 3, 2024: “Bonita Vanderkooi finds the perfect fit in Best Friends.”
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