Make a difference for generations to come: August is National Make-a-Will Month. Did you know that August is National Make-a-Will Month? Creating a will is more than putting your wishes on paper - it's an opportunity to think about what matters most to you and the kind of legacy you want to leave behind. At the Treasure Valley Family YMCA, Ymcatvidaho see every day how a caring community can change lives. From helping children learn to swim and discover new passions to providing families with opportunities to connect, grow and thrive, the Y has been part of the Treasure Valley for generations. You can help ensure that impact continues for generations to come. Start planning your legacy. The Treasure Valley Family YMCA has partnered with FreeWill, a free online resource that makes creating a will simple and accessible. More than 1.5 million people have already used FreeWill to create their wills at no cost - and you can join them. The easy-to-use online tool guides you through the process step by step, allowing you to put your wishes in writing from the comfort of your home. Create your free will through FreeWill! Leave a legacy at the Y. As you create your will, you'll have the opportunity to consider the organizations and causes that are important to you. If you choose, you can include a gift to the Treasure Valley Family YMCA in your plans. A gift in your will can help provide a strong foundation for the Y's future - supporting programs and services that help children, families and individuals throughout its community. Your generosity could help a future generation experience the same sense of belonging, opportunity and connection that the Y provides today. You don't have to know exactly what the future holds to make a difference in it. Your legacy can shape the future. Whether you've been a longtime Y member, a volunteer, a donor, a participant in a Y program or simply believe in the Y's mission, your legacy can help build a stronger Treasure Valley for years to come. This National Make-a-Will Month, take a moment to plan for tomorrow and reflect on the impact you want to make today.

A legacy of generosity: Why Kevin included FMSC in his will. A long-time Feed My Starving Children volunteer and donor, Kevin Reed, decided to make FMSC a beneficiary in his will. Here's how he and his family came to the decision to feed kids for generations to come: Seeing poverty in Haiti opened his eyes. After years of volunteering, Kevin and his wife attended the FMSC Spring Gala and were delighted to win the raffle for a Food In Action Trip to Haiti with then-CEO, Mark Crea. What he didn't know is how much this trip would change his outlook. What Kevin saw shocked him. He had never visited a developing country, let alone one of the poorest in the world. It was all new to him: the shanty towns, the high unemployment, the lack of food. These disparities from his own home opened his eyes more than any video or advertisement he'd seen. "It brought everything so much closer to reality," he said, explaining that the trip prompted him to get even more involved with FMSC. Making a charitable bequest in his estate plans. Christian nonprofits like FMSC are funded by generous people like Kevin. Data from Giving USA(TM) shows that Americans are some of the most generous people in the world (ranked sixth globally), giving a total of $617.2 billion to charity in 2025 alone. 10% of those gifts were made by bequest. The Reeds wanted their estate plans to provide for their daughter and keep feeding kids. By creating a will and including a bequest to FMSC, they accomplished both. Kevin said he values FMSC's transparency and efficiency so he knew he could trust FMSC to use his gift well even after he is gone. "I think a lot of parents struggle with wanting to leave a financial legacy for, for their children," Kevin said. "But I think legacy giving and having instructions in your will is actually a great way to not just have a financial legacy, but to have a legacy of service and volunteering." He hopes their choice to be generous in their plans will show their daughter how important generosity was to them. August is Make a Will Month. If you delayed creating a will, you're not alone - 70% of Americans don't have an updated will. But it's not too late! And if the cost of making a will is a barrier, then Fmsc has good news! For Make a Will Month, FMSC is partnering with FreeWill. Create your free will in 20 minutes or less through FreeWill. As you make or update your plans, you can choose to keep feeding kids for years to come. Donate now. Donate by credit card, bank account or digital wallet.

National Make-A-Will Month: create a legacy that strengthens York County for generations. Blog. August is National Make-A-Will Month, making it the perfect time to take an important step toward protecting your loved ones and creating a lasting legacy. When United Way of York County, SC think about building a stronger community, United Way of York County, SC often think about giving its time, volunteering, supporting local organizations, or helping a neighbor in need. However, one of the most meaningful ways United Way of York County, SC can care for the people and causes United Way of York County, SC love happens behind the scenes through thoughtful planning. Many people put off creating a will because they believe it's something to think about later in life. The reality is that every adult can benefit from having a plan in place, regardless of age or stage of life. Creating a will helps you: * Protect your loved ones by ensuring your wishes are clearly documented * Designate guardians for children and pets * Determine how your assets will be distributed * Reduce stress and uncertainty for family members * Support the organizations and causes that matter most to you At United Way of York County, United Way of York County, SC believe in building a future where every person has the opportunity to thrive. That means investing not only in today's needs, but also in the long-term well-being of its families and its community. Through its work, United Way of York County, SC help connect families with resources that strengthen financial stability, expand access to essential services, and create opportunities for children and adults across York County. As you think about your own legacy, United Way of York County, SC invite you to consider the impact you want to leave behind. To make the process easier, United Way has partnered with FreeWill to provide a secure, online resource that allows you to create your will in about 20 minutes at no cost. Whether your priority is protecting your family, planning for the future, or supporting the causes you care about, this free resource can help you take that important first step. If you're ready to get started, visit FreeWill today. Together, United Way of York County, SC can continue creating a stronger, more resilient York County for generations to come.