Throughout their lives and careers, both Linda and Dale Theobald have seen the impact early learning can make on children and families.
Linda spent more than 23 years in the classroom, teaching children from pre-K all the way up to sixth grade. Through his work in psychiatry and addictions, Dale worked extensively with family units, seeing firsthand the impact those early years can make in a person’s life.
“That’s a formative time and children need those early learning experiences. There have been many studies over the years about the effect of quality interaction, quality communication for children and how it affects them long term,” Dale said.
With that deep understanding of why the early years matter and the impact early investment can have, both Dale and Linda have found purpose in supporting Early Learning Indiana.
“We need to make sure young children get a great start,” said Linda. “With Day Nursery Auxiliary and Early Learning Indiana, we’re able to support good programs for children.”
Linda has spent many hours serving the organization as a volunteer at Day Early Learning Park 100 and through her work with DNA, where she served as president from 2022-2023.
In addition to Linda’s volunteering, the couple has consistently provided annual support for Early Learning Indiana and recently decided to make a long-term investment in ELI, committing a planned gift and joining ELI’s Next Century Legacy Society.
“We wanted to make a donation that would be a long-term investment in early education,” Dale said. “We want our support to make a lasting impact.”
For Linda, it was clear who could help them leave this lasting impact.
“The quality of teachers and programs are so important in building great early learning programs,” Linda said. “Early Learning Indiana sets the standard for the state.”
What is a planned gift?
A planned or legacy gift is a contribution made as a part of your financial or estate planning—often through a will, trust, retirement account or life insurance policy — and can lead to tax benefits for the donor. Unlike immediate donations, planned gifts are typically realized in the future, allowing donors to leave a lasting legacy.
Planned gifts, like the one made by the Theobalds, help provide long-term financial stability, fund strategic initiatives and ensure the mission of ELI will continue for years to come.
If you are interested in joining the Next Century Legacy Society and including Early Learning Indiana in your estate planning, please reach out to Kirsten Yeager, vice president of development, at kirsteny@earlylearningindiana.org.
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