While not everyone has resources to make a donation to a charitable organization, many of us do. Deciding who will receive our gifts can be a challenge.
Here is how my friend, George, made that decision.
George and his wife Connie have raised miniature horses for nearly 50 years and shared a love of all animals. Upon Connie’s passing in 2019, George decided to finalize charitable donations in his will. George knew what his wife would have wanted so he wrote down their requirements: no kill organizations, rescue operations, humane treatment, capable staff and clean facilities. Then he asked around. He spoke with his vet, with people who came to work with his horses, with friends, neighbors, everyone who might know of animal centered organizations that could benefit from a financial gift. Soon he had a short list but he wanted to get to know the organizations personally. Thus began the “vetting”, which he says was a delightful process. He arranged visits to meet staff and see facilities. He was looking for people who shared his and his wife’s values as well as an organization that would be able to use their gift in meaningful ways. He found such an organization in the Lenawee Humane Society. With that decision made, he secured his plans by including a provision in his will for a gift to go to them upon his own passing.
George says he not only found the right organization for his and his wife’s wishes, he also made new friends and learned more about the many wonderful organizations in his community. He says that finding the right place brings him a sense of peace and happiness knowing that his beloved Connie will be memorialized in this wonderful way, helping animals live their best lives.
— Trudy Adams
