Chris and Kathleen Koch: A Passion For Collecting, A Passion For Giving

By Chris and Kathleen Koch, Society for Discovery members

We first came upon The Jackson Laboratory while we were in the planning stages of hosting a group of motor coach enthusiasts. As "Rally Masters," we were charged with providing an interesting agenda for our attendees during their first stay in Bar Harbor, Maine.

Every time we passed by JAX we wondered, "What goes on behind those brick walls? Would we find it interesting, and would we want to share it with our group?" We arranged a date for a tour. We were blown away with our discovery and invited our group to tour also. Likewise, they were impressed! That was 10 years ago and some of them still donate on a monthly basis today.

JAX has a great story. It's a story about growth, progress and groundbreaking scientific research. We know how incredibly important biomedical research is: Our granddaughter died at age 8 from glioblastoma. Our terrible loss is what motivated us to contribute to JAX in her memory.

We have been able to connect our interests in JAX research with our passion for history and collecting. In addition to our annual gifts, we are donating our collection of antique vehicles to JAX through a trust established in our estate. This was a truly meaningful and important decision for us.

We currently have 20-something vintage vehicles in our museum in Florida. Vehicles range in age from 60 to over 100 years old. This nonprofit museum is our way of giving back to society while encouraging people to get interested in the hobby and to gain an appreciation for the history behind our exhibits. Every tour starts with a little talk about The Jackson Laboratory and a handout about JAX extolling its accomplishments from inception.

Our most unusual car was custom built for Mr. Edsel Ford in 1934, while he was President of Ford Motor Company. It is a one-of-a-kind cabriolet built in Germany and it was kept at his estate in Gross Pointe Shores, Michigan. This is serendipitous because Ford was also one of the largest financial backers of Dr. Clarence Cook Little, founder of The Jackson Laboratory over 90 years ago, and he had a summer home in Seal Harbor, Maine, not too far from JAX in Bar Harbor.

In addition to the museum, we have a fully equipped antique barbershop. Ditto for a 1950s diner. There is also a large display of bus line advertising and original signs from bus lines from the U.S., Canada and the U.K.

You can't take it with you when it is your "time to go," but you can plan ahead by putting your assets to good use after you are gone. We wanted to be proactive by setting up paperwork where vehicles and other assets are to be sold and the proceeds will benefit JAX. This way we can help fund research, which will lead to better health in the future.

Hopefully, in the future, if you are told you have cancer, Alzheimer's or some other disease, your doctor can tell you, "I have a cure for you." Our gift to JAX might make the cure possible.

Explore Your Options

There are many ways to invest in the Laboratory's future. Contact Nancy Fox, M.B.A. at 1-800-474-9880 or planmygift@jax.org to learn more about how planned gifts help us advance scientific discoveries that will lead to cures for genetic diseases.