Leave a Legacy and Change the Future

A message from Ross Merritt, CLH Foundation Executive

In our last issue of CLH Today we told you about some of the amazing ways your gifts have been used to benefit our residents and are meeting the needs of the community at-large. One of those stories explained how a gift from the estate of Carlsbad By The Sea resident Ellie Piers is being used to support cyber security for seniors. Ellie wanted part of her legacy to go toward protecting others from cyber criminals who often target older adults with financial scams. Thanks to a generous gift from her estate, the CLH-supported Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing has partnered with cyber security experts, law enforcement leaders and financial and technology firms to address this important problem. The ‘Piers Project’ is now moving forward with a collaborative effort in this much needed area.

Creating a Legacy to change the future does not need to be a difficult thing to do and often it is simply a matter of signing your name to a document (a Will or Revocable Living Trust) that leaves a charitable bequest to California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH), or a Charitable Gift Annuity that pays you a fixed income for life, with mostly tax-free payments and a nice tax deduction. The remainder can be designated for an innovative idea like the ‘Piers Project.’ These are simple ways to help fund significant projects that can make a difference in the lives of those that come after us. We would love to discuss the possibilities with you!

If you would like to receive additional information about how you can leave a legacy, our programs and funding opportunities or hear more stories of how CLH is touching lives through social ministry, please contact me at 800-233-3709 or rmerritt@frontporch.net.


Sincerely,


Ross Merritt

CLH Foundation Executive

CALIFORNIALUTHERAN HOMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH) is a not-for-profit social ministry organization founded in 1947. CLH’s mission is meeting needs through ‘faith in action’ including support for residents of affordable housing communities managed by partner CARING Housing Ministries, and residents of Front Porch retirement communities, care centers and active-adult communities.  CLH-sponsored retirement and active-adult living communities include Carlsbad By The Sea in Carlsbad, CA; Walnut Village in Anaheim, CA, England Oaks in Alexandria, VA and Cecil Pines in Jacksonville, FL. Among the programs and services supported by CLH are the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging, whose mission is to meet the needs of older adults based on the understanding that aging is a spiritual journey; the Front Porch Gallery, which creates community by promoting an understanding of aging through art; the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, which enhances wellbeing and quality of life through the adaptive use of technology; the CLH Auxiliary; and the Charitable Care Fund, which supports residents in need who have outlived their finances.  

A Family of Givers

Their generosity goes back decades. During the early 1980s Lois and Lyle Schroder first donated to California Lutheran Homes and Community Services, not knowing that in 1991 Lois’ mom, Eda Cole, would be a resident at CLH–supported Walnut Manor Retirement Community and become a donor herself.

“We grew up in and raised our children in the Lutheran church,” Lyle said. “It was a natural thing for us to support CLH, particularly after Lois’ mother was living at Walnut Manor through the 1990s.”

Also in the 1990s Lois and Lyle’s son Terry remembers volunteering at Walnut Manor and visiting for youth activities.

“My churches were Lamb of God and Grace Lutheran in Anaheim,” Terry said. “I remember becoming a donor to CLH when I was a teenager. It was something my parents and the church instilled in me as important and our support continues.”

Some 30 years later, the old Walnut Manor is gone and the new Walnut Village stands in its place, and Terry, his wife Kathi and Terry’s parents Lyle and Lois remain faithful givers to California Lutheran Homes. Add to the mix of this family of givers, recent Walnut Village residents and donors Connie and Del Crane, Kathi’s parents.

“When my parents told me they wanted to move to a retirement community, I immediately thought of Walnut Village,” Kathi said. “As CLH donors we asked (CLH Foundation Executive) Ross (Merritt) to help us encourage my mom and dad to make the move to Walnut Village. They couldn’t be happier.”

“We immediately loved what we saw,” Del said. “We were particularly looking for a continuing care retirement community in case our health needs changed. What made Walnut Village even better was that it was supported by CLH.”

The Cranes are currently reviewing the sale of their home and are considering a charitable remainder trust with CLH. Terry, Kathi, Lois and Lyle continue to give to the CLH general fund so that their donations can be used for the greatest need.


CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN HOMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICESCalifornia Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH) is a not-for-profit social ministry organization founded in 1947. CLH’s mission is meeting needs through ‘faith in action’ including support for residents of affordable housing communities managed by partner CARING Housing Ministries, and residents of Front Porch retirement communities, care centers and active-adult communities. CLH-sponsored retirement and active-adult living communities include Carlsbad By The Sea in Carlsbad, CA; Walnut Village in Anaheim, CA, England Oaks in Alexandria, VA and Cecil Pines in Jacksonville, FL. Among the programs and services supported by CLH are the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging, whose mission is to meet the needs of older adults based on the understanding that aging is a spiritual journey; the Front Porch Gallery, which creates community by promoting an understanding of aging through art; the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, which enhances wellbeing and quality of life through the adaptive use of technology; the CLH Auxiliary; and the Charitable Care Fund, which supports residents in need who have outlived their finances.