Peter and Kathy Davis Launch the Wilt Street Legacy Society
Introducing the Wilt Street Legacy Society
At Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, we build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter; but we cannot reach our audacious goals alone.
Recently, Peter and Kathy Davis named Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia in their estate plans. The Davises pledged a $1 million planned gift, launching the new Wilt Street Legacy Society at Habitat and ensuring that more Philadelphia families will have a safe, warm, and dry place to call home for generations to come.
Peter and Kathy have been involved with Habitat Philadelphia for years and believe that a quality education and a strong and stable home provide the foundation for a family to succeed.
“If you don’t have a good, secure place to grow up, where your family is well taken care of, the odds of lifting yourself up is even more difficult,” said Peter. “Habitat Philadelphia is at the top of our list because it hits all of the critically important areas for people to be able to move up in the world.”
Kathy, a former elementary school teacher, knows the importance of children having a safe place to call home. In naming Habitat in their estate plans she said “For me, its all about the kids.”
“Simply put, this gift from Peter and Kathy Davis will transform countless lives in the city of Philadelphia,” said Kathryn Fernandez, Senior Director of Institutional Advancement at Habitat Philadelphia. “Their generosity will leave a lasting impact in our region and change the trajectory of families that work alongside Habitat. We cannot thank them enough and are excited to see the Wilt Street Legacy Society grow and bolster the organization well into the future.”
In 1985, the first Habitat homes in Philadelphia were completed on Wilt Street in North Philadelphia.
Already steadfast supporters of Habitat Philadelphia, the Davises took their commitment a step further when re-working their will, a process that Habitat helped them with. “We had a pretty good feel for organizations that we wanted to support,” said Peter. “The program that Kathryn talked about was direct and simple to get involved with. It took very little effort to document what we were going to do. It was easy and friendly.”
“It felt comfortable,” added Kathy.
Ahead of making such a transformational gift, Peter and Kathy considered many factors, and ultimately decided that Habitat Philadelphia could create meaningful change in the city with their support.
“You want to make sure that the money is going to be used by people who are committed to what they are doing but also have vision for where the organization is going to go,” said Peter. “You want to help support that vision and that growth. Our participation in some of the functions over the last years has given us the insight and comfort that they money is going to go in the right direction and will help build for the life of the organization.”
The Wilt Street Legacy Society will help build the foundation for many Philadelphia families, and Peter and Kathy hope it is just the beginning. Extending their generosity even further, they matched the next ten signed letters of intent, up to $25,000 each, to Habitat Philadelphia through the Wilt Street Legacy Society.
“We would hope that this would inspire others to give,” said Peter. “This program constitutes a wonderful effort by Habitat Philadelphia and we really want it to be successful and thrive.“
Ready to make your commitment? Simply complete a letter of intent and send to our office at:
Habitat Development
1829 N. 19th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121
To learn more about the Wilt Street Legacy Society, please contact Chief Development Officer Kathryn Fernandez at kathrynf@habitatphiladelphia.org.
What does “home” mean to you?
“Family, siblings, mom and dad. Positive work-ethic. Community “
– Kathy Davis
“ Home gives you the personal environment and internal aspirations to do something with your life.”
– Peter Davis