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Romance Leads New Donors to Mote

Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn

Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn

Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn had each long been single - until fate intervened in the form of our own Genie Clark. Yes, Dr. Eugenie Clark, "the Shark Lady" and first director of the laboratory.

Tom, who grew up near Philadelphia and attended college in upstate New York, had met Genie back in 1989 and become one of her most trusted assistants on dives in Curacao, the Cayman Islands, the Red Sea, Thailand, Indonesia, Florida, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. He mapped the reef habitats of fish, measured the density of sand, created devices to aid in the collection of data, videotaped marine life as deep as 250 feet and performed a myriad of other chores that kept him busy with Genie one month per year for 12 years.

Patrice's background was quite different. She was born in California but moved to various places around the country while growing up. Patrice obtained a degree in marketing and eventually decided she'd love to marry if she could find "Mr. Right." It didn't happen quickly. Neither hobbies of horseback riding nor golf produced a fitting partner, but SCUBA diving finally did - and in a most unusual way.

In 1997, Patrice and Genie were both living in Bethesda, Md. They both frequented the same salon, yet they had never met. The owner of the salon overheard Patrice speak of her new interest in diving, so she gave Genie's home number to Patrice thinking she might be interested in going on one of Genie's trips. During their first phone conversation, Genie was so impressed with Patrice's enthusiasm that she invited Patrice to join an upcoming expedition to the Sea of Cortez to study whale sharks.

Additional expeditions followed where Genie came to know more about Patrice; she began to feel that Patrice could be a good match for Tom. Genie's first try at matchmaking was so successful that a romance blossomed immediately. To make the story short, Tom proposed. He wrote, "Will you marry me?" on a slate when they both were submerged 70 feet down in a rock quarry testing their dry suits! Tom and Patrice were married in 2003 in the Fijian Islands on the Naia, a live-aboard dive boat.

It should come as no surprise to you, dear reader, that Patrice Boeke and Tom Alburn became Mote donors as a consequence of their shared interest. They designated Mote Marine Laboratory as the beneficiary of their IRA assets. This is just one of many ways to become a member of the Mote Legacy Society, some of which can give you a lifetime income and still leave Mote a generous gift after you pass. To learn more, talk to your financial adviser or contact The Development Office at 941-388-4441, Ext. 309 or plannedgiving@mote.org.

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Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.

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Donations help us rehabilitate sick animals, answer questions about the health of our marine environment and teach the public more about our oceans.

Retired Lieutenant General Howard Crowell and woman

LTG Howard G. Crowell, Jr. and Mrs. Sally M. Crowell

“The Lab means a lot to humanity; the more support it receives, the better future we will have.”
Susan and Brian Kelly

Brian and Susan Kelly

“Mote is one of the most effective answers to ocean problems that I’ve ever come across. We firmly believe the Mote Laboratory Legacy Society offers us a unique opportunity to invest in mankind’s future. It is perhaps the most impactful and assured way for us to ‘give back’ to our society.”

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

 Bequest Language

The official bequest language for Mote Marine Laboratory is: "I, [name], of [city, state, ZIP], give, devise and bequeath to Mote Marine Laboratory [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted use and purpose." 

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Mote or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Mote as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Mote as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Mote where you agree to make a gift to Mote and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.
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