National Make-A-Will Month: Creating a Legacy That Lasts
How One Family Turned a Lifetime of Kindness into a Lasting Gift for Minnesota Communities
August is National Make-A-Will Month, a time to reflect on the values we hold most dear and the legacy we hope to leave behind.
For many people, creating a will is about providing for loved ones and ensuring their wishes are honored. But it can also be an opportunity to support the causes and communities that have shaped their lives.
The story of Eileen and Stan Effertz is a beautiful example of how a legacy of kindness can continue long after a lifetime of service.
A Life Rooted in Community
Eileen and Stan were lifelong members of the Belle Plaine community, known for their gentle spirits, generosity, and unwavering commitment to helping others. Their home was a welcoming place where family, friends, and young people could find encouragement, guidance, and a sense of belonging.
Over the years, they devoted countless hours to mentoring youth through Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, organizing retreats, and supporting young people through important milestones. Their faith and commitment to service were central to who they were, reflected in both their actions and their relationships.
Simply put, Eileen and Stan made their community stronger through the way they lived.
A Legacy That Continues
Today, their impact continues through the generosity of their family.
In honor of Eileen and Stan, their family made gifts totaling more than $180,000 to three local organizations, including Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota. Through this meaningful act of giving, the values that guided Eileen and Stan throughout their lives continue to create opportunities for others.
Their gift will help Habitat Minnesota support the Habitat offices across the state as they work alongside families to build safe, stable, and affordable homes.
This is the power of a legacy gift.
Why a Will Matters
Creating a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and ensure your wishes are carried out. It also provides an opportunity to support the organizations and causes that reflect your values.
A charitable bequest, a gift made through your will or estate plan, is one of the simplest ways to make a lasting impact. It allows you to continue supporting the people and communities you care about while maintaining flexibility throughout your lifetime.
No matter the size of the gift, a bequest can help create meaningful change for future generations.
Your Legacy, Your Impact
The Effertzes may not have spoken often about legacy giving, but their lives demonstrated it every day through their compassion, service, and commitment to others.
Their family’s gift simply extends that story.
This National Make-A-Will Month, consider the legacy you want to leave. By including a charitable gift in your will, you can help ensure that your values continue to make a difference for years to come.
At Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, planned gifts help build more than homes. They help build stability, opportunity, and hope for families across our state.
Like Eileen and Stan’s legacy, your generosity can continue creating brighter futures long into the future.
Ready to Create Your Legacy?
Creating a will doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Tools like FreeWill are free and easy-to-use online estate planning options that help you create a legally valid will in as little as 20 minutes.
Whether your goal is to provide for loved ones, protect your home, support future generations, or leave a gift to the causes you care about, having a will is one of the most meaningful ways to create lasting stability.
Start your free will today and take the first step toward building a legacy that will make an impact for years to come.
Interested in learning more about including Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota in your estate plans? Contact us to explore how a planned gift can help build a stronger Minnesota for generations to come.