Living a Life of Service, Leaving a Legacy of Love
There are many ways you can financially support the SECU Family House. For donors interested in the creative power of planned giving, the Branner’s Spirit Legacy Society may be for you. Named to honor the son of founders Beth and Sandy Baldwin and their ongoing leadership and support of the Family House, the Legacy Society welcomes donors who make planned gifts, including leaving the Family House as a beneficiary in your will.
Wanting to honor their relationship with the Baldwins and express their personal values in a charitable way, long-time volunteers John and Mary Jane Dewees have happily joined Branner’s Spirit Legacy Society. John and Mary Jane have spent the last 16 years ensuring the SECU Family House is a “home away from home” for the thousands of patients and caregivers who walk through our doors every year. Over a decade of service, they have supplied hundreds of meals as part of the Merry Meals program, shared the mission and story of the Family House with any friends who will listen, and donated consistently and generously through annual donations.
The mission of the Family House is near and dear to the Dewees’ heart. They said, “I can’t imagine having an illness and staying in a motel room by myself, with nobody to support me. At the Family House, guests don’t have to worry as much – they can concentrate on rest and healing.”
It was an easy choice for John and Mary Jane to join the Branner’s Spirit Legacy Society. Mary Jane shared, “I like to give money away, that’s what I’m called to do. It gives me joy. I think this is how you live your faith – by how you respond to those in need. The mission of the Family House is who we are. Even when we are gone, there are always going to be sick people who need to go to the hospital. It is important to us that they have somewhere to come and rest, be taken care of, and be with other people going through similar situations. When families tell others what their experience has been at the Family House, what are they going to say? They’re going to say, ‘in my time of need, people took care of me.’”
John added, “By giving to the Family House, you know your gift is being cared for. You know that people in need are directly benefitting from your gift.”
To find out how you can join the Branner’s Legacy Spirit Society, contact Kara Yates, Development Manager, at Kara.Yates@familyhousews.org or 336.796.2822.