A HAMILTON DISTRICT CHRISTIAN HIGH PUBLICATION
SPRING 2021
Vol. 14 Issue 2
A Family Legacy
Establishing charitable gifts through your will Reverend Arie VanEek and his wife Ellen sent each
With full disclosure and on-going discussions with
of their five children to Christian schools. Starting
their children, Arie and Ellen built this charitable child
out in Fort William, Ontario, and then returning
concept: their estate would be divided into six equal
to the Hamilton area, Arie and Ellen appreciated
parts, shared among their five children plus one sixth
the rich, Christ-centred education that their kids
shared among charities.
received, from elementary, through high school and on to university. Arie and Ellen deeply valued the quality of the learning, the Biblical connections, the acts of service and the vocational call that each of
Their youngest, John, HDCH’s much-loved shop and accounting teacher, is an HDCH alum, graduating in 1985. What a blessing for our school that John returned and has been helping our students find their gifts since 2005. Arie and Ellen heard wonderful stories about HD students developing character, through learning, for lives of service to God, and were so gratified by the kingdom work that was underway. As their children settled into careers and started their own families, Arie and Ellen began to think about how they could ensure that the school would continue to flourish. Arie and Ellen focused on setting up their will to include support for the school. They included bequests for their five children and together, they created a sixth beneficiary: their “charity child”.
PHOTO : HANK RINTJEMA
their children experienced.
#whyHDCH Their charitable child is made up of a group of charities
family values in supporting meaningful organizations.
that have meant a great deal to both Arie and Ellen.
It’s healthy and a good thing to do.”
Each charity will benefit from a share of the bequest. HDCH is so appreciative of all our supporters, includArie hopes that people reading this will invest some
ing those who include the school in their bequest plan.
time in either updating or making their will. And, as
We are grateful to the VanEeks for sharing their legacy
they consider their estate disbursements, that they
story with us, and also for offering to share that story
remember both their family and the charities that are
with you.
meaningful to them. He urges people to speak openly with their children about this, so that healthy family conversations take place about wills and charitable giving.
Planning your Estate If you are interested in considering the charitable child model, or any form of charitable gift through a bequest, here are some resources for you: HDCH Sandra Baker, Director, Advancement 905-648-6655 x 122, 905-466-0237, sbaker@hdch.org Learn more about wills and estate planning: Will Power willpower.ca
“ I think we can also make sure that our will includes a final gift to the charities that make such a difference to our community. For our family, a gift to HDCH is a true investment in community and an expression of our faith,” says Arie. Arie’s advice: “Establishing charitable gifts through your will, whether to HDCH, or any charity that means
Christian School Foundation Tony Kamphuis 1-877-340-9555, tkamphuis@christianschoolfoundation.ca Christian Stewarship Services Hilco DeHaan 1-800-267-8890, hilcod@csservices.ca
something to you, will give you comfort and peace now, and will help that charity in the future. You and your children will benefit from an open conversation about
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