Tinkers to Evers to Chance

From 1902 to 1912 the cornerstones of the Chicago Cubs dynasty were shortstop Joe Tinker, second baseman Johnny Evers, and first baseman Frank Chance. The trio won the National League pennant four times together, and their magical double play combo would be immortalized in a poem by Franklin Pierce Adams titled “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon,” also known as “Tinkers to Evers to Chance.”

The Acacia Fraternity Foundation has its own double play combination of Woodward to Willits to Ellis. Not athletes, but three Acacians who made a difference through estate planning, ensuring a bright future for Acacia.

Early in 1989, upon the creation of the Foundation, Bernal R. Woodward, Syracuse ’25; Charles O. Willits, Cornell ’25; and Victor A. Ellis, Missouri ’40, became members of The Evergreen Society, making impactful gifts of remembrance to Acacia. Their thoughtful contributions gave the Foundation its much-needed momentum that thousands of Acacians enjoy today.

The AFF makes it possible for Acacians and friends of the fraternity to make tax-deductible contributions to provide scholarships and support the educational activities and percentages of “bricks and mortar” projects for housing. Over the past 30 years, the Foundation has provided over $8 million for these purposes.

You can join the growing number of Acacians in The Evergreen Society. These are Acacians who have decided to leave a lasting legacy by designating the Acacia Fraternity Foundation in their estate plans or other planned giving instruments. The Foundation office will be happy to send you literature explaining how simple it is to include Acacia in your will and the programs you can help support. Whether it is via our Exceptional Fund campaign, gifts of stock, remembrance in your will, and/or as a beneficiary of your insurance policy, like the Cubs, let’s keep that championship drive alive for years to come.