BellevilleGeneral HospitalFoundation

Teaching our Children to Walk the Walk

It is a part of human nature to want to look after our children and family. As parents we have a nurturing instinct that tells us to protect our children, to shelter them from harm and to make sure that they have everything that they need to be successful people in the world.

I find myself in a balancing act between wanting to give my children everything they desire and wanting to teach them to desire less and appreciate more. I sometimes wonder if when I’m gone the important lessons that I’ve tried to pass onto my children will have stuck? Will they be kind to others, will they go out of their way to help the community, and will volunteerism be a priority in their lives?

I realized when I was planning my estate that it was a unique opportunity to not only make sure my children and family are taken care of financially, but to also show my kids what I value in life and the priority I place on helping others in our community.

My kids know that I believe supporting the hospital is one of the best ways to contribute to our community. They know I have been a dedicated volunteer with the BGH Foundation and am now actively involved with QHC, just as they know I am a committed Rotarian and volunteer with a number of other community organizations. But naming the Foundation in my will is sort of like putting an exclamation mark at the end of the statement where I say to them, “this is important”.

As parents I think we should try to impress our children with the need to not only talk the talk, but to walk the walk when we teach them the lessons of giving back to their children. Leaving a legacy in your will is a very simple way to ensure your memory is one that your children will be proud of for years to come.

Karen Baker is a proud member of the Heritage Society; a very special group that has left a legacy for QHC Belleville through gifts in their wills to the Belleville General Hospital Foundation.

Cat Stevens said it best: “The greatest legacy is that which benefits the widest number of people for the longest period of time without limit to value.”

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