Fall 2004

The Patterson Family: Jennifer, Brendan, and Jeff

I have worked in the Public Relations and Resource Development Department here at the Lighthouse for the Blind for just over four years now. Although some would challenge this assertion, you could say I’ve “grown up” during the time I’ve worked here! I’ve gotten married, bought a home, and had a child.

These events have not only given new perspective to my past and present, but new meaning to the future. Planning for the future is something that my wife, Jennifer, and I think of a lot more now that Brendan Patterson has come along to make us a family. One of the items on our checklist as we were preparing for his birth was to write up a will. He came a month early, so we didn’t quite get that checked off in time. However, soon after, Jennifer and I sketched out some ideas together. Then, we sat down with our attorney to put together our very first will.

Of course, our primary concern was seeing to it that Brendan would be taken care of if something would happen to either of us. At the same time, this was our opportunity to really show our support and commitment to the nonprofit organizations in our community that are important to us. We made provisions so that these organizations will receive a percentage of our estate after family issues are addressed. Of course, the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation is one of those organizations that we have made a bequest to

This was an easy decision. In fact it was one I was really looking forward to making. A major part of my job is telling the story of the Lighthouse to the community. If I’m doing my job well, I’m articulating our mission of promoting opportunities for independence and self-sufficiency for people who are blind. It means a lot to me that when asking folks in the community to support our mission, I can tell them that I have made my own substantial gift to the Lighthouse.

As part of planning for your future, I would strongly encourage you to think about the nonprofit organizations in the community that are doing good work: meeting the needs of children, seniors, people with disabilities, protecting the environment, or supporting the arts. Making a bequest is so simple. What’s more, it’s a way to perhaps make a bigger gift in the future than what you could do if you were to sit down to write a check today.

Jennifer and I feel great about the bequest we’ve made to the Lighthouse. It’s a great way for us to support the Lighthouse mission far into the future.

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