Serving Our Seniors Magazine: January - March 2024

Castalia resident George Wilke led a good life. He was a Navy veteran who served on the USS Glacier in the Antarctic, a long-time Ford Motor Company employee and retiree, and a fisherman who enjoyed many a catch of Lake Erie perch. Later in life, when he found himself needing rides to out-of-town medical appointments, he called Serving Our Seniors for help. George was born in 1941, making him a member of the Silent Generation, the generation just before the Baby Boomers. These two generations are now passing down an estimated $84.4 trillion in assets through 2045, an unprecedented trend described by economists as the largest transfer of wealth in history. Children and other heirs are receiving the majority of these dollars but nearly $12 trillion will support charities whose missions resonate with donors. Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates issued a call to action with their observation “the world needs our help.” They launched the Giving Pledge, encouraging others to think about making a difference while they’re living and when they pass on. Across the country, many like George Wilke are doing just that. At 81, George Wilke passed away last year, leaving a generous bequest to Serving Our Seniors. This gesture of “paying it forward” is testimony of his compassionate heart. George left his gift to ensure that others who were alone in the future would have the opportunity to receive the same kindness and care that he had experienced at Serving Our Seniors. Serving Our Seniors is pleased to announce that Sarah Sullivan has recently joined the staff as Resource Development Coordinator. A Castalia resident, Sarah is a Perkins High School graduate. She received a B.S. in Education from Bowling Green State University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Ohio University. Most recently, she worked as the Operations Manager for a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit focused on animal advocacy. Sarah’s new role at Serving Our Seniors includes fundraising, grant writing and volunteer recruitment. If you’d like to learn more about the Serving Our Seniors Fund for the Future or if you’re interested in learning about volunteering at Serving Our Seniors, please give Sarah a call at 419-624-1856 or email sarahs@servingourseniors.org . She looks forward to meeting you! Paying It Forward Founded in 1996, Serving Our Seniors provides more than 50,000 services annually to assist older adults in Erie County so that they can maintain their independence and pursue healthy aging. We are now seeking philanthropic support to subsidize our current levy funding to continue to serve Erie County’s growing senior population. Please consider contributing to Serving Our Seniors Fund for the Future to benefit Erie County residents in their later years. Your gift to Serving Our Seniors will allow others in your community to maintain their health and ability to live independently as they grow older. Among many ways to support the Serving Our Seniors Fund for the Future , you may: • Make a bequest in your will • Name Serving Our Seniors as beneficiary of Individual Retirement Account assets • Transfer life insurance policies to Serving Our Seniors • Establish a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust that provides income during your lifetime and gives income to Serving Our Seniors after your lifetime. • Please seek guidance from your attorney, accountant, or financial advisor to learn more about making a charitable gift that is most appropriate for you. Welcome, Sarah! 9