The Shelter’s vision is the world I want for my children

rachel-kerlekBy Rachel Kerlek

When the opportunity was presented to me to join the Shelter’s Planned Giving Advisory Council, I jumped at the chance.  To me, the choice was an obvious one – why would I not want to participate in a meaningful way to encourage the members of our community to support an organization as important and impactful as The Shelter?  However, there are specific reasons why I am impassioned by this new role.  They are:

  • My work.  Through my prior work as a lawyer in the criminal justice system, I was exposed on a day-to-day basis to both domestic violence offenders and victims.  I became intimately familiar with the cycle of domestic violence, and feel it is important to do my part to support those dealing with this crisis.
  • My clients.  Now, as a civil litigator, I am exposed to the other end of the legal spectrum – my cases generally involve disputes over money.   Although not an estate planner myself, I see the effects of an incomplete or outdated estate plan given that my practice often involves litigation over the distribution of assets after someone has passed away.  In many of these scenarios, the family members fighting over their loved one’s legacy may have had less to quarrel over if the individual had incorporated a planned gift as part of their estate plan instead of a general devise.
  • My family.  I am not just a lawyer. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mother. The Shelter’s mission, and vision of “a community free from domestic violence so that every home is a safe haven for the family it shelters” is in line with the vision that I have for the world that my nieces, nephews, daughter and son will grow up in.

Plan your legacy today with your financial advisor and discover how it will benefit you, your family and The Shelter. There are many creative options anyone can afford; a few are gifts by will, living trust, life insurance, retirement plans, and charitable gift annuity. For more information on planned giving for The Shelter, CLICK HERE

To discuss establishing a planned gift for The Shelter, contact Senior Development Officer Tamika Seaton at 239.775.3862, or email tseaton@naplesshelter.org.