Planned Giving Opportunities

 

Leave your Family Legacy

The Family Legacy honors those of you who have arranged for Advocates for Homeless Families to receive a gift from your estate. These special gifts may come in the form of a bequest, by designating Advocates as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan, or through a life-income planned gift, such as a Charitable Remainder Trust. If you plan to make, or have already made Advocates a beneficiary of your will or other planned gift, we would be delighted to hear from you so we can invite you to join the Family Legacy.

How do I make a gift to Advocates in my will?

Making a bequest is quite simple. Consult with your legal counsel, who will advise you on one of four ways you can remember Advocates in your will.

1. Specify an exact amount to go to Advocates for Homeless Families.

2. Earmark certain assets such as property, artwork, or stock to come to Advocates for Homeless Families

3. Designate a percentage of the value of your estate to go to Advocates for Homeless Families

4. Make a residual bequest of all or a portion of the remainder of your estate after payment of debts and expenses

If you would like to make an estate gift or discuss a gift that provides tax savings or other financial benefits for you and your family, or if you would like more information, please call Jeanne Russell at 301-662-2003.

A Conversation with...Ruth Roney:

Former Board Member, Volunteer, Family Legacy Member

Q: What can you tell us about the early days of Advocates?
A: Well, you’re asking me, and I have the worst memory in the world. But I remember that we started with about $500 as a ministry of the Christian Outreach Committee of All Saints Episcopal.

Q: What was your “job” back then? What were the challenges?
A: I helped deliver supplies, that sort of thing. And I helped them get a four-apartment property downtown, get it fixed up for people to move in. Our biggest challenge was fundraising. People did not want to admit that there were homeless people in Frederick. But I could see the need, right there on Market Street. I felt that I had to help.

Q: Now, people acknowledge homelessness in Frederick County.
A: Yes, affordable housing and homelessness is a very big topic today. It’s getting tougher to afford living in Frederick County. Not just the poor, but even those with higher education. Everything is built “luxury” these days. I see ads in the paper for $450,000 homes, and it makes me angry. There’s so little regard for average people, much less low-income people.

Q: Is that what drew you to help the homeless in the first place?
A: I have always felt blessed in my life. We grew up in the depression, but I had a secure family, and our needs were met. We did not have high expectations, but whatever we needed, we had. I saw people with need, and I wanted to give back.

Q: What have you learned about homelessness in your years of working with Advocates?
A: There was this one gentleman raising his kids alone. We went to take some supplies to his house. He was out, and he wasn’t expecting us. But the place was spotless. I was impressed. The beds were made, the coats were on hooks, the dishes were clean. It woke me up. It made me realize that our stereotypes of homeless people were all wrong, and that these people were truly grateful for all we could do for them, that they really wanted to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity.

Q: What makes Advocates special to you?
A: I can appreciate how comprehensive [Advocates’ program] is. It’s not a band-aid on the homelessness part, it helps people rise up and out of homelessness permanently. It’s truly a hand up, not a handout.

Q: What do you see in Advocates’ future?
A: I’d love to see you go out of business! I’d wish there were no more homeless people. But that’s not going to happen. Really, I’d just love to see more of the same. We’re doing the right thing. We’ve got the right program with the right elements. And that needs to continue.

Q: So you’ll continue to support Advocates? How?
A: I support Advocates every year with a contribution, but I’ve also got Advocates in my will. And I can encourage others to do the same. I love the idea of a reserve fund, or an endowment. We need to plan for the future, to take care of our properties and our people.