Leave a Lasting Legacy of Warmth
Your commitment to Operation Warm and the work we do to help children in need means the world—to the families whose lives have been touched by the gift of a coat and pair of shoes, and to the communities that have grown stronger with the shared purpose of helping kids thrive. Operation Warm had its most impactful year yet in 2022, serving nearly 600,000 children while strengthening community bonds, connecting families with vital services, and serving as a catalyst for lasting change. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to make this important work possible. Next year, we will celebrate 25 years since our founder, Dick Sanford, discovered that children in his community lacked warm winter coats and stepped up to change that. To date, Operation Warm has served over 4.6 million children throughout the United States and Canada, and this year will serve our 5 millionth child. In 2021, we launched our shoe program, gaining a new way to serve children and bring community organizations together to lift up those in need. We’re proud of what we have accomplished over the past two decades and counting. But there is still so much more to do. As you know, the wide-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed recent progress in eliminating child poverty, a setback that may take a generation to recover from. In response, Operation Warm is called to continue expanding our services with the goal of reaching more children and communities, carrying our mission forward to meet the needs of our changing world. Legacy gifts from our supporters make that possible by helping to secure the future of Operation Warm. Whereas most donations that we receive allow us to meet children’s needs today, planned gifts are intended for use far in the future. So, they help to ensure that our life-changing work can continue for as long as necessary. That’s why Operation Warm is asking you to consider us when you are planning your legacy. The gift of your support has already made a lasting impact on the lives of children in need. Thank you for giving thought to other ways that you can leave a lasting legacy of warmth.
www.operationwarm.org
WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.
LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY OF WARMTH
A legacy gift, also known as a bequest, is a planned gift that is distributed in the future. Legacy gifts can be made to the nonprofit organizations that have enriched your life and made a difference in your community. Large or small, every bequest makes an impact by helping to sustain the organizations, institutions, and causes you are passionate about.
Why is the month of May a good time to think about leaving a legacy? May is Leave a Legacy Month, a public awareness campaign to share the impact and benefits of leaving a planned gift. These include the opportunity to ensure that your wishes are clear and to help secure the future for nonprofit organizations you would like to support, as well as a potentially reduced estate tax burden for your heirs.
Why we are reaching out during Leave a Legacy Month? We would like to let you know how much we value your support and to provide more information on how you can include Operation Warm in your legacy if you so choose. Understandably, planning a legacy is a topic that’s often far from our thoughts as we focus on the important work of the present. However, a planned gift can have a tremendous future impact on an organization and offers a chance to reflect on what is most meaningful to us in our lives today.
www.operationwarm.org
WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.
What is a legacy gift?
Planning a legacy is a personal journey, one that requires time and reflection. Should you decide to plan a bequest to Operation Warm, we would like you to know how you can proceed: • • • •
Consult with your financial planner Update your will in consultation with a legal advisor Review the following resources that can help you plan Inform Operation Warm of your bequest here
Helpful Resources National Association of Charitable Gift Planners
Why is Legacy Planning Important?
Types of Bequests
Steps for Planning a Legacy
For further information, please contact (or have your attorney contact): Stephanie Cohen, Chief Financial Advisor contracts@operationwarm.org Thank you for considering Operation Warm when planning your legacy. We are grateful for your commitment and support as we continue working together to make a difference for children and families in need.
O N T H E W AY T O S E R V I N G
5 MILLION children while strengthening community bonds
www.operationwarm.org
WARMTH. CONFIDENCE. HOPE.
INFORMATION AND NEXT STEPS AS YOU PLAN YOUR LEGACY