By Becky Ries, Assistant Director of Gift Planning
At the end of August, I had the opportunity to spend several days on Cape Cod with three long-time friends. It was one of those trips that reminds you to slow down and enjoy the beauty around you, like the ocean, delicious seafood, hydrangeas and impeccable landscaping everywhere we looked, and, of course, the lighthouses. I have always been fascinated by lighthouses, but this time I found myself thinking even more about what they represent. When sailors are uncertain about where to go, a lighthouse provides direction and helps guide them safely along the way.
In many ways, having an estate plan in place can provide that same kind of guidance for the people we love. It can help our families know what matters to us, provide clarity when they may be facing difficult decisions and give everyone a little more peace of mind. National Estate Planning Awareness Week, October 19-25, is a wonderful reminder to make a plan, review the one we have, and be sure our wishes are clearly in place. Sometimes, putting our wishes in writing is one of the most thoughtful gifts we can give those we leave behind.
As we look toward 2027, may we be intentional about the legacy we want to leave and the light we can provide for those who follow us. For Nebraskans who love their hometowns and want to help those communities thrive for generations to come, NCF’s Five to Thrive initiative offers a simple invitation: consider leaving 5% of your estate to benefit your hometown. One planned gift can become a lasting source of strength and possibility for a community we care about.
May our plans not only reflect what matters to us today, but help light the way for our families, our hometowns, and future generations.
If you would like to include your hometown in your estate plan, download our free Wills Guide, contact us at 402.323.7343, email tmekelburg@nebcommfound.org or bries@nebcommfound.org.
