"I have just spent a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with my family and friends, reminiscing much of that time. I always think about those loved ones who have passed on. Those memories bring back warm feelings of times spent together: times when we laughed and cried, worked on projects or just enjoyed a lazy day together. I sometimes wish I could have one last chance to show them how much they meant to me.
It occurred to me that there is a way to keep their memory alive — making a gift to a charity in their name. Making a donation in someone's memory is a great way to honor the good work they did in their life. You may choose to give a gift to a charity that your loved one supported through their donations or volunteer efforts. Another alternative would be to select a charity that helped your family or loved one in their lifetime.
Susan Ware, vice president of development at Hospice of the Bluegrass, tells me that more than half of the donations Hospice of the Bluegrass receives each year are in the form of memorial gifts. Many families designate Hospice as a recipient as a way to remember their loved ones. Hospice offers a variety of ways for donors and family members to memorialize their loved ones, including brick pavers, plaques and memorial listings in its newsletter. Donors and families find special comfort in giving a financial donation and quite often use it as a way to say thanks for the care they received.
Gifts may also be collected to honor people who are living. For the "hard-to-buy-for" people in your life, this is a great way to give them something that is very meaningful. Children are even getting into giving honorary gifts. Lisa and Barry Sharp's children have taken giving to heart. For their daughter Maggie's birthday, she invited her class to her party but asked that instead of bringing presents, contributions be made to the Humane Society. Younger brother Will followed suit. After the Sharp family served dinner at the Hope Center one New Year's Eve, Will was so touched by this agency that he asked his friends to make contributions there for his birthday.
Will and Maggie learned about giving at Sayre School through activities like dress-down days. Whether in school, church or other service organizations, it is important that we teach our children the importance of giving to others. What better way than to encourage them to donate to a charity that speaks to their passions? The Sharp children are an example of two fine young people with a generous spirit.
At United Way of the Bluegrass and many other charities, memorial gifts are often placed in the endowment fund. This can ensure that gifts made in memory of others will make a difference in our community for years to come. Donors are encouraged to talk to the charity of choice and discuss ways to fund particular programs that embody the spirit of their loved ones.
A gift to a favorite charity is always needed. It also takes the guesswork out of what size does Dad wear? Does Grandma already have this book? Or will Aunt Polly really use this gift certificate? Instead, the right size coat will be given to a homeless child, an adult will be taught to read or a recently widowed man will not have to eat alone, but will have a hot meal in the companionship of other senior citizens.
According to Merriam Webster, "A memorial is something that keeps a remembrance alive." I encourage you to call your loved one's favorite charity and ask them about making a memorial gift. I can think of no better way to celebrate special holidays than with a gift to a loved one's favorite charity. It will honor their memory by providing hope and help for many people in our community, in their name.
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