'Tax Day Baby' Awarded College Fund Contribution

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- A Buckhead baby wasn't even a day old when she was awarded more than a $1,000 to assist her in her higher education plans.

Gillian Spight, born at 12:14 a.m. April 18, was awarded a $1,529 contribution to her Path2College 529 Plan account to celebrate her as the first baby born on tax day at Northside Hospital in Sandy Springs.

“Anytime you receive money, it’s a great thing,” said Jason Spight, along with his wife, Carmen, of Buckhead. “When we found out that this was to further the education for Gillian and planning for the future, we were really excited about that. We both went to college and have family with educators, so we know how important education is.”

This is the seventh year that Northside and Path2College have partnered to recognize Tax Day babies in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of saving for college and financial planning.

“A new baby should be more rewarding than taxes," said Bessie Smith, operations manager of Family Centered Care at Northside Hospital, which delivered 16,000 babies last year. "That's why we partnered with the Path2College 529 Plan and offered a promotion to heighten the joy of the Spight family by starting a path of knowledge and fulfillment for Gillian. Northside is invested in the wellness of our communities and the families who trust our compassionate health care and high-quality expertise from birth through all stages of life. We wish happiness for the Spight family and all our Northside families.”

Memorial University Medical Center in Savannah and Navicent Health in Macon also recognize Tax Day Babies each year by awarding the first Tax Day baby with a college savings contribution.

“When families welcome a new baby, it is often an overwhelming time with new responsibilities and challenges, and college seems like it’s too far away to think about,” said Mitch Seabaugh, executive director of the Path2College 529 Plan. “But, as those of us that have raised children know, the time goes by quickly, and college will be here before they know it. Saving small amounts over time can have a tremendous impact, and that’s why we want to reach out to new parents and encourage them to create a financial plan to help pay for their child’s future education today.”

In addition to recognizing the first Tax Day baby, the Path2College 529 Plan also kicked-off the statewide 2017 Newborn Sweepstakes, where Georgia families who have a baby this year can enter for a chance to win a $5,529 contribution toward a child’s or grandchild’s college savings. The Path2College 529 Plan will also award $1,529 to the hospital where the Newborn Sweepstakes winner was born.

“Hopefully when parents and grandparents go online to enter the Newborn Sweepstakes, they will take some time to learn about the state’s Path2College 529 Plan and its tax advantages and take a few minutes to open an account to help with the future cost of their loved one’s education related expenses,” said Seabaugh.

For more information about the Path2College 529 Plan or the 2017 sweepstakes initiative, visit www.Path2College.com or call (877) 424-4377.

Photo: Jason and Carmen Spight with their daughter, Gillian. Credit: Northside Hospital