Living forever and giving beyond your time in Santa Cruz

What will you be remembered for when you are gone? For some, these are trying times, just trying to stay alive, for others it is preparing for going. Life is a cycle, just as birth proceeds death. We trumpet death more than life or birth, for reasons unknown to me. So as we contemplate getting our will and trusts in order, what will we be remembered for or by?

We can get our things in order, and you should have something set up early in life. As we all know, life is an uncertain gift that can be revoked at any time. While we march or forge or slog though life, we come across people and organizations of interest. Some are charities, others are people we value for their insight, or their ability to make us laugh or think.

In Santa Cruz there is an organization called the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.  This organization serves to help worthy causes in the community. They use  money that is donated to accomplish this from people like you. There are many ways to give back to your community, and this is one. No doubt you have been to the hospital or college, and seen buildings named after someone. I am sure you may have thought, why do they get a building named after them? Why can’t they name one after me? Well you can, by donating part of your estate after you are gone, if you can do it while you are here.

The Community Foundation of Santa Cruz receives donations in the form of real estate, cash flows, insurance policies, and good old cash. They invest your money in endeavors that you choose, or they choose, if you wish. They have a board that considers all different types of local needs and invest back in our community.

If for instance you wanted to build a computer system and have it manned ( or womanned?) to teach seniors to be more computer literate, so they could share photos with their kids and grand kids,and what each other is doing, you could leave money for pursuing that as a goal. I know someone who loved to fish his whole life and is considering donating to the Monterey Bay Salmon and Trout Project. Something like this will provide funding for the perpetuation of something that enriched his life. Many of us have enjoyed eating fish and fishing. So why not leave part or all of your estate to perpetuate something you love?

Maybe you love farming and gardening, and want to buy land to let the kids or citizens of your community get enrichment from this. Perhaps you want to fund arts or music in a school? Maybe you want to help kids have a safe place to play after school and learn things in a supportive environment like at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County, helping our future citizens become better people and enjoy childhood more.

There is a lot that you can do to contribute after you are gone, or while you are here. You can make grants or scholarships to schools or colleges as well. So consider investing in your community and have your name perpetually remembered, long after you are gone. Think of it as eternal life and eternal giving. If your home or investment property is a large part of your wealth, call me and I can help with a home real estate evaluation as you plan for the future.

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