Have you ever considered what sort of legacy you’ll leave someday? No matter who you are or what you do, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. One simple way you can do that is through planned giving.
At the WMU Foundation, we want to help you find your missions passion as you develop holistic stewardship for the sake of the gospel among all nations. We can help you walk through the questions you may have as you consider what God wants you to do with your will and estate through planned giving.
Lila Pierce was active in missions all her life. She served for twenty years as an Associational WMU Director and especially loved working with Girls in Action in her local church. “Lila loved WMU and those who served in WMU, faithfully sending cards of love and prayer support,” shared her close friend Evelyn Tully. While suffering from cancer soon before she passed away, Lila decided to roll her dimes to help raise funds for a project she was doing with her WMU group. This story spread to other WMU groups, inspiring them to roll their own dimes and send the proceeds to the WMU Foundation in Lila’s honor.
Lila was not only faithful to WMU in life but also continued her legacy of giving after she died. At her death, her life insurance policy made a generous gift to the Second Century Fund, which financially supports WMU women’s leadership development in the United States and internationally. Lila made an incredible impact on so many people and continues to do so through this gift. Evelyn summed Lila up best: “What a life! What a mission!”
Marti Solomon was a national WMU retiree who deeply loved WMU. “Marti inspired Acteens to deeper commitment to missions,” explained national WMU retiree Andrea Mullins. “She loved going to Acteens camps to be with teen girls and encourage their spiritual growth. I often met missions leaders whose missions commitment began when they were Acteens and met Marti at camp. Her influence led many young women to give their lives to missions, either as missionaries or as missions leaders in their churches.”
Marti chose to leave her legacy by including her desire to support WMU in her will. After she passed away, a gift from her estate established the Marti Solomon Endowment. This endowment provides annual support to the Vision Fund, helping to ensure funds are available for WMU’s ministries, including Missions Discipleship, Leadership Development, and Compassion Ministries. Because Marti found her missions passion, others have now given to this endowment, and it will provide over $25,000 to the Vision Fund next year! Though her time on earth is over, Marti’s legacy continues to change lives.
You, too, can leave a legacy like Lila or Marti. Visit wmufoundation.com/planned-giving to learn more and for free resources related to estate planning.
Written by Maegan Dockery, WMU Foundation communications manager.