Bill & Lois Hoover
For Bill and Lois Hoover, helping others is a way of life. “As a Christian, I believe I should share resources generously,” Bill says. Bill and Lois appreciate that the mission of Habitat for Humanity aligns with their faith, as well as their passion for combatting the fundamental problems of housing insecurity in Milwaukee. They have been involved in Habitat for Humanity across the country and internationally since 1988, where Bill says he was excited to use his handyman skills. After retirement, Bill and Lois began to think about their legacy. “When it comes to thinking about our estate giving, it seems like a natural thing for us. It’s the way we live our lives,” he says. Bill and Lois say they know their legacy gift will help continue to lay the foundation for building homes for families for generations to come.
Ann & Greg Van Dunk
For Ann and Greg Van Dunk, living in Milwaukee means being a part of Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity.
Legacy Society members designate a planned gift in their will, trust, or retirement plan, to ensure that Milwaukee families have the security of owning a home for generations to come.
“Both of our families were super generous people. Generous to us, taught us how to give,” said Ann.
“We are aware that we are among the people who are blessed, and when the time comes for us to not be on the earth, we want to be able to be generous as well, and literally leave a legacy about the things we care about,” said Greg.
Estate attorneys recommend updating your will each time you experience a major life event. With their three children grown and having families of their own, Ann and Greg decided to update theirs.
Jim McClure
After a few years of volunteering with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, Habitual volunteer Jim and his wife Kathleen joined the Legacy Society.
“My wife and I were working with our financial advisor, and without getting too granular, I had a life insurance policy that was given to me by my grandfather, that my financial advisor had suggested that to the benefit of my family, would be best to give it away to charity,” he said.
Being part of the Legacy Society gives Jim an increased sense of pride, particularly with helping out on the annual Legacy House build each spring.
“The fact that I can have a footprint in the whole of Habitat is really quite special,” he said. “My wife and I have two adult daughters that know how active I am with the organization. The fact that they’ll be able to drive past the house and say ‘Dad helped with that one by being a Legacy member’ is priceless.”