October 21-25, 2024
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES THAT FOLLOW
Week of Supplement to
Welcome from Senior Life
Senior Life Newspapers is proud to support Write a Will Week through the publication of this booklet. This piece is distributed in conjunction with “Write A Will Week”, October 21-25, 2024. Valuable and useful information is available in helping to make life-changing decisions some day for those less fortunate.
We would like to thank the Charitable Gift Planners of Northeast Indiana for their assistance and support. Events of the week are noted on pages 7-8. Forms and information to benefit you are included as well. Please let us know if there is anything we can do next year to enhance the overall content of this booklet.
By Michelle Creager
Nonprofit charitable organizations highlight all that is good in America today. According to the National Council of Nonprofits, Charitable organizations provide a way for people to work together for a common good, a place where shared hopes and beliefs are transformed into action, and an atmosphere to shape our boldest dreams, highest ideals, and noblest causes.
Everyone benefits from the work of nonprofits in one way or another. Nonprofit organizations strengthen communities by providing the educational, health, and social services that citizens need and the government cannot fully provide.
There is a good chance that you have attended service at a house of worship, learned to swim at the YMCA, developed life skills through Girl Scouts or Little League, or enjoyed the family vacation at the zoo, all thanks to the work of nonprofit organizations.
Charitable nonprofits feed, heal, shelter, educate, inspire, enlighten, and nurture people of every age, race, religion, gender, and socioeconomic status. They foster community engagement, promote leadership, drive economic growth, and strengthen the fabric of our communities every single day.
However, operating a nonprofit isn’t easy. A nonprofit’s ability to secure sustainable long-term funding while providing generational stability is a challenge. Nonprofit organizations can only fulfill their missions when they have dedicated and passionate people who give their time, talents, and treasures. They count on legacy bequests to carry out their missions of creating more equitable and healthy communities.
Quite simply, supporting a nonprofit organization is a beneficial way to strengthen our community, share our blessings and help our neighbors who are in need. It provides a way for donors to leave behind more than just “things” when they pass. It allows a way for donors to communicate their values and beliefs to their heirs, while leaving them with a community improved by philanthropy.
Write a Will Nonprofit Impact on Communities
Roughly, 80% of dollars contributed to nonprofits come from individual donors or their estates. [1] By donating to charity in the form of a charitable bequest in a Will, it alleviates this risk of needing the money for your own health needs, since upon the death of the donor, the funds would no longer be needed by him or her.
With this guide you will find the wonderful local organizations that are impacting Northeast Indiana. By adding a bequest to one, or several of them, you can participate in the Write a Will event at no cost to you.
Nonprofits are all around us and touch millions of lives each day thanks to the generous and selfless gifts provided by those invested in the community and proud to help those less fortunate than themselves.
[1] Giving Statistics
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=42
Estate Planning
Do’s and Don’ts
This article provided by 1st Source Bank
You’ve built a good life for yourself and, naturally, you want to pass it on. But just as it takes hard work and planning to acquire wealth, it also takes a well thoughtout estate plan to preserve those assets for future generations.
An attorney, financial advisor/accountant, or trust administrator are professionals who can help you put together an estate plan that reflects your unique needs and goals, helping you to sort through difficult questions, avoid common mistakes, and plan your estate with confidence and peace of mind.
Here are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when putting together an estate plan:
• Don’t Write Your Own Will - Estate planning is too complicated to do it yourself, and the laws that govern it vary from state to state. So don’t rely on a generic form you found online when there are professionals who can customize a plan for you. All too often, small mistakes made by do-it-yourselfers can lead to an invalid Will and family members spending thousands of dollars fighting over your estate.
• Don’t Procrastinate - Delays only hurt the ones you love. The time to plan your estate is now, even if you’re not sure who gets what or who you want to be in charge. An estate plan that meets 80% of your goals is better than no plan at all.
• Don’t Forget To Update Beneficiary Designations - It’s a good idea to check your beneficiary designations periodically to make sure they’re current. Major assets could easily go to the wrong person if you’ve recently had a major life change. In a worst-case scenario, these assets could even end up in probate and subject to the claims of creditors.
• Do Consult A Financial Advisor - If you own valuable assets, the best way to protect them (and minimize your tax burden) is through a properly executed estate plan.
• Do Fund Your Revocable Living Trust - As soon as possible after your trust agreement is signed, fund it. Otherwise, the plan won’t work if you become disabled, and your assets will end up in probate when you die.
How to Prepare
For Meeting with Your “Write a Will” Attorney
Your meeting with your attorney at any of the partner "Write a Will" sites will be scheduled for approximately 1530 minutes. For best use of your appointment, complete the form for Will Preparation (a copy is available on page 6).
Bring it with you to your appointment. The information your attorney will need to complete your Will includes:
• Your marital status and, if married, the name of your spouse; also, is your spouse a U.S. citizen? Do you have a prenuptial agreement?
• Names and birthdates of all your children whether they will inherit or not
• Name and address of the charitable organization(s) you name in your Will
• Names of other persons who will benefit from your Will, and their relationship to you
• A general list of your assets and how those assets are titled; for example, is your house or bank account in your name only, or are there other owners? If you have an IRA or retirement account, who are your beneficiaries?
• You can leave your beneficiaries a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. You can also make bequests of specific items, such as jewelry or furniture. Your attorney will discuss each of these options.
At the end of your appointment, your attorney will explain what to expect and when your document(s) will be ready to sign. You should follow-up with your attorney. CGPNI is not involved in the follow-up.
Remember, your Will will be prepared at no charge if you name at least one charity to receive a gift from your Will when you die. If you do not name a charity in your Will, you must be prepared to pay the cost of the Will. The attorney will discuss this with you.
You may also ask your attorney to prepare other documents for you in addition to a Will. Please be aware the attorney has the right to charge a fee for the additional work.
NOTE: This is general information only. You should rely on your attorney's advice in all matters regarding your estate plan. The CGPNI committee does not prepare Wills and is not engaged in the practice of Law.
An Initiative of the CHARITABLE GIFT PLANNERS OF NORTHEAST INDIANA www.cgpni.com
2024 CGPNI Committee
President Jennifer Zurbuch, Lutheran Life Villages
Vice President & Communication...............June Harkness, Early Childhood Alliance
Secretary Makenzie Tomilson, FORVIS
Treasurer Alexandar J. Andorfer, CPA Leonard J. Andorfer & Company, LLP
Membership......................................................... Kiley Tate-Potts, Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
Write a Will Form
Complete this form to present to the attorney for your Simple Will with Charitable Gift. Please print
Your name as you will sign on your document_________________________________________
Your marital status ___________________ Name of spouse: _____________________________
Do you have children? ________ How many? __________ Are any children minors? __________
BENEFICIARIES OF YOUR ESTATE AT DEATH: Amount or Percent
1. Charities
a. Official Name Address
b. Official Name Address
2. Others (Name) Relationship Amount or Percent WHO WILL SERVE AS YOUR EXECUTOR?
1. Name_____________________________ Address ________________________________________
2. Alternate _________________________ Address ________________________________________
How will your tangible personal property (i.e. furniture, jewelry, etc.) be distributed? Spouse _______ Children in equal shares ________ Sold and proceeds added to remainder of estate_________
Other _______________________________________________________________________________________
You may arrange for additional provisions or other documents for a fee: Power of Attorney, Advance Directives for Health Care, Appointment of Guardian, Trust provisions. Please consult your attorney.
YOUR DOCUMENT MAY BE EXECUTED AT A LATER DATE BY APPOINTMENT An Initiative of the CHARITABLE GIFT PLANNERS OF NORTHEAST INDIANA www.cgpni.com
2024 Write a Will Events
CENTRAL SITE – FORT WAYNE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMUNITY CENTER
(call for appointment)
233 W. Main St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802 www.fortwayneparks.org
Contact: Joshua Ogle
260-427-6460
joshua.ogle@cityoffortwayne.org
October 23: 9:00-11:00 am
Attorney: TBD
ASSOCIATED CHURCHES OF FORT WAYNE AND ALLEN COUNTY
(call for appointment)
602 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, IN 46845 www.associatedchurches.org
Contact: Kelley Bawmann
260-422-3528
kelley@associatedchurches.org
October 23: Appointments begin at 9:00 am
Attorney: R. David Boyer/Boyer & Boyer
CANCER SERVICES
OF
NORTHEAST INDIANA
(call for appointment)
6316 Mutual Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46825 www.cancer-services.org
Contact: Loren Hayes
260-484-9560
lhayes@cancer-services.org
October 24: 1:00-6:00 pm
Attorney: Catherine Christoff /Christoff & Christoff Attorneys
COMMUNITY HARVEST FOOD BANK
(by appointment only)
999 E. Tillman Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46816 www.communityharvest.org
Contact: Jessica Sheets 260-447-3696 x336 jsheets@communityharvest.org
October 21-25
Call to schedule an appointment: Lindsay Koler, 260-449-9621
Attorney: Lindsay Koler/Koler Law
EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE
2125 Beacon St., Fort Wayne, IN 46805 www.ecalliance.org
Contact: June Harkness 260-204-5556
jharkness@ecalliance.org
October 23: 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Attorney: Tracy Troyer/Troyer & Good PC
FORT WAYNE CHILDREN’S ZOO
(call to schedule in-person or virtual appointment)
3411 Sherman Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46808 www.kidszoo.org
Contact: Clarissa Reis 260-427-6800 x153 clarissa.reis@kidszoo.org
October 21: 1:00-5:00 pm
October 22: 8:00 am-5:00 pm
Attorney: Charles Backs/Barnes & Thornburg LLP
2024 Write a Will Events
FORT WAYNE MUSEUM OF ART
(call for appointment)
311 E. Main St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802 www.fwmoa.org
Contact: Emily Uphoff 260-422-6467
emily.uphoff@fwmoa.org fwmoa.org
October 24th, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
Attorney: Leah Good /Troyer & Good PC
THE FORT WAYNE RESCUE MISSION (by appointment only)
Barrett McNagny LLP
215 E. Berry St. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 www.fwrm.org
Contact: Deanna Bates
260-426-7357 x144 dbates@fwrm.org
October 23-24: normal business hours
Attorney: Zachary Witte/Barrett McNagny LLP
FORT WAYNE TRAILS
(by appointment only)
300 E. Main St., Ste. 131 Fort Wayne, IN 46802 www.fwtrails.org
Contact: Kent Castleman
260-969-0079
kent@fwtrails.org
October 21: 8:00 am-1:00 pm
Attorney: Charles Backs/Barnes & Thornburg LLP
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NORTHERN INDIANA
(call for appointment)
550 E. Wallen Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46825 northernindiana.ja.org
Contact: Ashley Stoneburner 260-484-2543
ashley.stoneburner@ja.org
October 24: 9:00 am-1:00 pm (appt length 30 min)
Attorney: Leah Good/Troyer & Good PC
LUTHERAN LIFE VILLAGES
(call for appointment)
The Apartments at Anthony Boulevard 6723 S. Anthony Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46816 www.lutheranlifevillages.org
Contact: Jennifer Zurbuch
260-447-1591
jzurbuch@lutheranlifevillages.org
October 23: 10:00 am-Noon
Attorney: Heidi Adair/Beers Mallers, LLP
LUTHERAN LIFE VILLAGES
(call for appointment)
Piper Trail
8151 Glencarin Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46804 www.lutheranlifevillages.org
Contact: Jennifer Zurbuch
260-447-1591
jzurbuch@lutheranlifevillages.org
October 21: 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
Attorney: Dan Nieter/Burt Blee Dixon Sutton & Bloom, LLP
LUTHERAN MINISTRIES MEDIA, INC
DBA WORSHIP ANEW
(by appointment only)
5 Martin Luther Dr., Fort Wayne, IN 46825 worshipanew.org
Contact: Jon Dize
260-471-5683
jon@worshipanew.org
Call for dates and times
Attorney: TBD
MATTHEW 25
(by appointment only)
413 E. Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 www.matthew25online.org
Contact: Lauren Tosland
260-469-0468
October 21-25
Call for times
Attorney: Adam Henry/Beers Mallers, LLP
PBS FORT WAYNE
(by appointment only)
2501 E. Coliseum Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46805 pbsfortwayne.org
Contact: Erin Arnold
260-482-6850
erinarnold@wfwa.org
October 21: 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
October 22: 9:00 am-11:00 am
October 23: 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
Attorneys: Janell Sprinkle, Heidi Adair/ Beers Mallers, LLP
PURDUE UNIVERSITY FORT WAYNE
(call for appointment)
PFW Office of Development
2101 E. Coliseum Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46805 pfw.edu
Contact: Eve Colchin
260-481-6659
eve.colchin@pfw.edu
October 21: 2:00 pm -6:00 pm
October 22: 9:00 am-11:30 am
Attorney: Josh White/Barnes & Thornburg LLP
STILLWATER HOSPICE
(call for appointment)
Peggy F. Murphy Community Grief Center, 5920 Homestead Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46814
www.stillwater-hospice.org
Contact: Kaitlin Sanders-Krieger 260-435-3222
kaitlinsanders-krieger@stillwater-hospice.org
October 21: 9:30 am-11:00 am (4 appts)
October 22: 11:00 am-12:30 pm (4 appts)
October 23: 5:30 pm-7:00 pm (4 appts)
Attorney: Trisha Lill/Beers Mallers LLP
ST� VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF FORT WAYNE
(call for appointment)
Hunt Suedhoff Kearney, LLP
803 S. Calhoun St., 9th Floor Fort Wayne, IN 46858 www.svdpsfw.org
Contact: Lara Schreck lara@svdpsfw.org 260-456-3561
Call for dates and times
Attorney: Joshua Burkhardt/Hunt Suedhoff Kearney LLP
TURNSTONE
Plassman Athletic Center
3320 N. Clinton St., Fort Wayne, IN 46805 www.turnstone.org
Contact: Stephanie Coleman 260-483-2100
stephanie@turnstone.org
Call for dates and times
Attorney: TBD
WELLSPRING INTERFAITH SOCIAL SERVICES, INC� (by appointment only)
1316 Broadway, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 www.wellspringinterfaith.org
Contact: Ermina Mustedanagic 260-422-6618
ermina@wellspringinterfaith.org
October 24: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Attorney: TBD
To avoid waiting, you are encouraged to call ahead to make an appointment at the site of your choice. (Some sites require a pre-set appointment.)
Sponsored by the Charitable Gift Planners of Northeast Indiana
JUST A FEW SAMPLES SHOWING CHARITABLE BEQUEST LANGUAGE
Your Attorney will advise you about your Will & Charitable Gift
UNRESTRICTED BEQUEST:
I give to (legal name of institution, address) the sum of $______ Dollars (or _____% or fraction of my adjusted gross estate) as a charitable gift for its general purposes.
RESTRICTED BEQUEST:
I give to (legal name of institution, address) the sum of $______ Dollars (or ___% of my adjusted gross estate) as a charitable gift to be used for (describe the purpose for the gift).
BEQUEST OF RESIDUARY ESTATE:
After making the above gifts to my family and specific persons, I give all remaining property owned by me at death, wherever located, to (legal name of charity, address).
UNRESTRICTED BEQUEST OF SPECIFIC PROPERTY, ENDOWMENT:
I give the following property to (legal name of institution, city and state) to be held as an endowment, the net income of which may, along with any appreciation (whether realized or unrealized), be spent for its general purposes: (describe property- real estate, gold jewelry, or valuable coin or art collection; insert specific description and where located.)
Created by Jane M. Gerardot. Visit our website at www.cgpni.com. This document provides general information only. You should rely on your attorney’s advice in all matters regarding your estate plan. The CGPNI committee does not prepare Wills and is not engaged in the practice of Law.
Write a Will Week
Since 1888, the generous support of our community has allowed Stillwater Hospice to provide compassionate care for individuals and families at a time when they need it most. Today, Stillwater Hospice is proud to provide hospice and palliative care for patients across 12-counties in northeast Indiana – in their homes, in assisted living communities or in our Hospice Home, the region’s only free-standing inpatient hospice facility. Stillwater Hospice continues to care for those who go on living too, with grief counseling and programs through the Peggy F. Murphy Community Grief Center.
You can help us continue our 136-year tradition of compassion, comfort and guidance through life’s journey with a donation to the Stillwater Hospice Foundation. Leaving a gift in your will to Stillwater Hospice helps ensure we can continue to provide hospice, palliative and grief support services for generations to come.
Oct. 22, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Oct. 23, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Call Kaitlin Sanders-Krieger at (260) 435-3222 to
Write
a Will Thursday, October 24, 2024 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
When you hear the word “estate” you may think of a large home on a rambling piece of land. You may also think that only wealthy people have an estate. A person’s collection of accumulated assets such as real estate, cars, and cash makes up an estate.
Setting up a formal estate plan allows for assets to be transferred per your wishes. These legal documents can make it easier for your family to ensure that your wishes and needs are met.
Cancer Services encourages everyone to be prepared by participating in the 2024 Write a Will event. Catherine S. Christoff, JD, Cum Laude, is a member of the Allen County and Indiana State Bar Associations and the American Citizenship Committee. Catherine earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University, a Juris Doctor degree from Indiana University School of Law and an LLM (Master of Laws) from Christian Albrecht University-Kiel, Germany. Catherine will offer her expertise from 1 pm to 6 pm on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at Cancer Services, 6316 Mutual Drive. She will meet with you one-on-one and create a simple Will at no cost. The only requirement is that you include a charitable gift in your Will.
A Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana donor recently shared, “Having a Will is important to me to let my family know how I would like my property managed at my death. I know that it will ease their burden and decision-making. I also appreciate that by participating in Write a Will I can ensure that I can pay it forward through my bequest.”
While we hope you will consider making a gift to Cancer Services, you may give to any charitable cause close to your heart.
Please call Loren Hayes at 260-484-9560 or email Lhayes@ cancer-services.org to schedule an appointment to prepare your Will.
The upcoming holidays are a time to gather with family near and far. They also provide an opportunity to have discussions that many of us delay until it’s too late: how we want to be cared for at the end of life.
Stillwater Hospice encourages people to set aside time to discuss their end-of-life medical care wishes with those who would otherwise be tasked with making difficult decisions under stressful circumstances.
Having these conversations ensures that everyone is clear regarding medical treatments when a person is incapacitated by illness or injury. Letting your loved ones know how you want to be cared for puts you in control and can help lessen stress during crisis.
According to the National Institutes of Health, advance care planning should be a priority for everyone. At any age, a medical crisis could leave someone too ill to make his or her own health care decisions.
These aren’t easy conversations to have, but understanding your wishes is a lasting gift to your surviving loved ones. Questions to consider:
• “What is important to me at the end of life?”
• “What are my concerns about medical treatment?”
• “Where would I want to receive treatment – at home or in a medical facility?”
Ensuring that your wishes are carried out in times of medical crisis can be challenging, but Indiana law recognizes several specific types of advance directives. They include a living will or life-prolonging procedures declaration; an appointment of health care representative; a power of attorney directive; and the POST form – Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment.
As you meet with your legal representatives about developing an estate plan, you can also complete advance care planning documents to ensure your loved ones and health care providers understand your wishes and can guide your care as you wish it to be.
Learn more about Stillwater Hospice's programs by visiting www.stillwater-hospice.org or calling (260) 435-3222.
Photo by Jared Christensen
Tracy Troyer Attorney Leah Good Attorney
Estate Planning: Getting Your Affairs in Order and Giving Through Bequest
By Zachary A. Witte Attorney Barrett McNagny
Estate planning is more than just drafting a will; it's about ensuring that your assets and wishes are managed effectively after your passing. One of the most meaningful ways to leave a lasting legacy is through the bequest of your assets.
Estate planning is essential for everyone, regardless of the size of your estate. Without a plan, your assets could be distributed according to state laws, which may not align with your wishes.
Bequests are a powerful way to leave a legacy that reflects your values and supports causes that matter to you. A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust and can take many forms, including:
Specific Bequests: Designating a particular asset, such as a piece of jewelry, real estate, or a sum of money, to a specific person or organization.
Residual Bequests: Leaving the remainder of your estate, after all other bequests have been made and debts paid, to a beneficiary.
Contingent Bequests: Naming a secondary beneficiary if the primary beneficiary predeceases you.
Charitable Bequests: Donating a portion of your estate to a charitable organization, allowing you to support a cause that is meaningful to you.
Bequests can have a lasting impact, providing financial support to loved ones or contributing to charitable causes that can continue to benefit society long after you’re gone. Many people find comfort in knowing that their legacy will live on through the good works made possible by their bequests.
Estate planning is a critical step in securing your legacy and ensuring your wishes are honored. By getting your affairs in order and considering bequests as part of your plan, you can leave a meaningful impact on the lives of those you care about and the causes you believe in. Whether you’re just starting the estate planning process or revisiting an existing plan, taking the time to make thoughtful decisions today can provide peace of mind for the future.
Plant The Seed.
Taking a few simple steps during a Write A Will session at PBS Fort Wayne can give you peace of mind for the future.
“Write a Will” is free, provided you include a gift to a charity or cause you believe in, such as Fort Wayne Public Television Inc./PBS Fort Wayne. Choose your time from:
• October 21 – 2:00pm-4:00pm
• October 22 – 9:00am-11:00am
• October 23 – 3:00pm-5:00pm
To schedule your appointment with a volunteer attorney from Beers Mallers, LLP at PBS Fort Wayne, contact: Erin Arnold 260-482-6850 erinarnold@wfwa.org
Appointments are first-come, first-served.
pbsfortwayne.org
Bequests
and Bishop Dwenger High School - The Spirit of Giving
Have you ever considered naming Bishop Dwenger as a recipient of a bequest through your will or trust?
End of life planning can be daunting and a tad overwhelming, that’s why we like to refer to it as Celebration of Life planning. You have come full-circle and now can fully celebrate this life that God has graciously given you and leave your own personal legacy. What legacy would you like to establish? If Bishop Dwenger has touched your life in any way, shape or form, please consider naming us in your will or trust. Your gift will help the future generation of Saints. Contact your financial advisor today to learn more about how you can name Bishop Dwenger High School in your will or trust.
Thank you and God bless!
Created in 1995, the Charitable Gift Planners of Northeast Indiana (CGPNI), formerly the Planned Giving Council of Northeast Indiana, is a nonprofit organization made up of charitable gift planning professionals such as attorneys, financial and estate planners, trust administrators, and investment and insurance specialists. Our members also include representatives from many local nonprofit organizations, including academic, religious, health, arts and culture, and social service organizations. The CGPNI is a member council of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (formerly the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning).
The mission of CGPNI is to facilitate, coordinate, and encourage the education and training of the planned giving community, and to facilitate effective communication among its many different professionals.
For more information and/or a membership application, Contact: Kiley Tate-Potts, 260-969-3113 or visit our website at www.cgpni.com
Your Will Can ROAR for Generations
Do you have a favorite memory of visiting Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo?
There’s something magical about certain moments that stay with us – like the first time we’re introduced to a river otter - lingering in our minds like a cherished melody. They evoke joy, transporting us to another place, a cherished moment in time. It’s these memories that shape us.
At Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, we experience the unique joy of watching children’s eyes light up with curiosity and wonder every day. You help make these magical moments possible� Thank you.
Write a Will Week is a time to reflect on what matters most and create a will that protects it. We invite you to harness the power of your will to shape a brighter future. Since opening in 1965, Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo has welcomed over 25 million children and families to its 40+ acre campus where they can connect with animals, enjoy quality time together, and be inspired to care about the world around them.
While many national media outlets have tried to pinpoint what makes Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo a special place, having named us on several “Top Ten” lists of the best zoos for more than a decade, we know what makes the Zoo special. It’s you.
Imagine the impact you could have. By remembering Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo in your will, you become an essential part of the fabric that makes our Zoo the place you love to visit again and again – from providing exceptional care for our animals, maintaining our beautiful grounds, offering educational programs, keeping rides in tip-top shape, creating new exhibits and even introducing new species for both the young and young at heart to explore. You have the power to inspire a child’s first spark of curiosity that ignites a lifelong passion for nature.
We invite you to consider how your legacy could intertwine with Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo and the countless stories yet to be written in the hearts of all the visitors who will walk through the Zoo’s gates in the future.
LEAVE YOUR LEGACY
What does it mean to leave a legacy?
It means putting your stamp on the future, and making your contribution to future generations. For more than 119 years, The Rescue Mission has been changing the lives of the homeless and afflicted in Northeast Indiana. To have an impact on the homeless, and make your mark on the world, Call for an appointment today.
Zachary A. Witte Attorney Barrett
Zach has twenty plus years of experience working with clients in the areas of probate &
“A network of friends growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships and service to people in need.”
We are called to help one another. What better way to help others than to contribute to an organization serving the poor in your community every day?
The Fort Wayne District of the St. Vincent de Paul Society began in 1944 and today, consists of 24 chapters in convenient locations throughout Northeast Indiana. Its goal is to serve those in need with love and compassion through the person-to-person service of dedicated volunteers.
What makes SVDP unique and special?
(1) Person-to-person service through home visits to assess client needs;
(2) Extraordinary accessibility for clients to relieve the burden of transportation; and
(3) Ability to act quickly and cut through the red tape to help people with urgent needs.
SVDP serves ALL people in need and does not discriminate; it respects the dignity of each person. Over 90% of the clients served by SVDP are not Catholic and the organization is a separate entity from the church. With only 18 staff members and over 800 volunteers, overhead expenses are kept to a minimum to maximize the impact of donor funds.
Over 30,000 low-income individuals were helped last year through the many caring programs of the St. Vincent de Paul Society:
Laurie Brumbaugh, CFRE, CFRM Sr.
VP of Philanthropy
SVDP feeds the hungry through 12 food pantries, prevents evictions and utility shutoffs through the financial assistance program, drives people to medical appointments with the Care Van, builds furniture in the Woodshop, does home repairs through the Carpenter’s Sons Ministry, and provides free clothing and furniture through a voucher program at the SVDP Thrift Store.
SVDP develops trust and personal connections to help clients feel valued and more hopeful about the future. We empower our most vulnerable neighbors to move toward stability and self-sufficiency. Join us to grow in your spirituality and help us help others!
We invite you to check out our website to learn more (www. svdpsfw.org) or contact Lara Schreck at (260) 456-3561 x120.
Why you need a Will
by Jesica L. Thorson
This is a question elder law attorneys get asked frequently because they have titled assets jointly with someone or have beneficiary or payable on death designations on their accounts. However, a Will is still needed for assets that are difficult to name a joint owner or beneficiary designation. In addition, there are often assets that get missed when relying on beneficiary designations. A Will is your opportunity to designate where you want your assets to go when you pass.
People also ask this question because they believe their assets will automatically go to their spouse or children even if they do not have a Will. This is not true though. Without a Will, Indiana state law provides for who your heirs are, and they may or may not align with your wishes. For example, if a married couple has children, and one of the spouses passes away, their individual accounts do not go to the surviving spouse. They are divided between the surviving spouse and children.
A Will is also necessary to provide for minor children. In a Will, you can designate a guardian to make health and day-to-day decisions as well as a trustee to protect their inheritance. You can also set out terms of your child’s inheritance in your Will.
A Will is an important and necessary document of good estate planning. We, at Beers Mallers, believe this is so important that we are offering free help with your first Will through the “Write-A-Will” program. Our attorneys are proud to have participated in the “Write-A-Will” program for over ten years. Through this program we have helped hundreds of families over the years not only provide for their loved ones but give back to the community. We are pleased to help with this program again during the week of October 21st at various locations throughout Fort Wayne.
The “Write-A-Will” program is an excellent opportunity to plan for your future and give back at the same time. This service is at no cost to you when you include at least on charitable bequest in your Will. We look forward to working with you
Jesica L� Thorson
