August Is Make a Will Month: Planning Today Can Create a Lasting Legacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Karen M. Giffin, Associate Chief Philanthropy and Marketing Officer
301.791.6360
kmgiffin@hospiceofwc.org

Chambersburg, PA, August 18, 2026—​August Is Make a Will Month: Planning Today Can Create a Lasting Legacy

August is nationally recognized as Make a Will Month, offering an important opportunity to pause, plan for the future and consider one of the greatest gifts we can leave our loved ones: the peace of mind that comes from knowing our wishes are clearly documented.

Creating a will is about more than deciding what happens to your assets. It is an opportunity to reflect on the values that have guided your life and the legacy you hope to leave for future generations. Whether your priority is protecting your family, providing for loved ones, or supporting causes that have been meaningful to you, a thoughtfully prepared estate plan can help ensure your wishes are honored.

A Will Is a Gift to Those You Love

A will is a legal document that outlines how you want your property and assets distributed after your lifetime. It can also help you name guardians for minor children, appoint an executor to carry out your wishes and reduce the potential for confusion or disputes among family members.

Perhaps most importantly, having a valid will can help ensure that the people and organizations you care about receive the gifts you intend. Without one, state law determines how your estate is distributed, which may not reflect your wishes.

For families, planning can provide clarity during an already difficult time.

A Legacy Rooted in Compassion

At Franklin Hospice, we see the power of legacy every day. Our purpose is to place people—not profit—at the center of care. Franklin Hospice recognizes that the end of life is not simply a medical experience, but a deeply personal and emotional journey for patients and the people who love them.

Compassion means listening to what matters most to each person, honoring their wishes, easing suffering, and providing comfort and dignity when time becomes especially precious. It means supporting families through uncertainty and grief, while reminding patients that they are not alone.

As a nonprofit organization, Franklin Hospice can focus its resources on the needs of the community and to provide care based on need rather than ability to pay. This commitment reflects a belief that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect at the end of life.

At its heart, Franklin Hospice is about being present and offering a hand to hold, a voice to listen, comfort when there is fear, and support when families need it most. That is compassion in action.

What Is a Bequest?

For those who want their generosity to continue beyond their lifetime, a bequest is one option to consider.

A bequest is a charitable gift made through a will or trust. It can be a simple and flexible way to support an organization or cause that reflects your values while still providing for the people you love.

A planned gift may allow you to:

• Leave a lasting legacy that reflects your values.

• Make a meaningful charitable impact without affecting your financial security during your lifetime.

• Potentially reduce the tax burden on your estate or family.

• Provide continued support for an organization whose mission matters to you.

Legacy gifts to Franklin Hospice help ensure compassionate care remains available to individuals and families in the community for generations to come.

Planning Today Can Help Tomorrow

Make a Will Month is a reminder that estate planning does not have to be overwhelming. A good place to begin is by gathering important family and financial information and thinking about the people, organizations and causes you want to support.

Those who are considering a legacy gift to Franklin are also invited to have a confidential conversation with the organization about their plans and the ways a future gift can support Franklin Hospice’s mission. Individuals who have already included Franklin Hospice in their estate plans are warmly thanked for their generosity and welcomed into the organization’s Evergreen Society, which recognizes those who have made a commitment to Franklin Hospice’s future through planned giving.

Creating a Legacy of Care

Franklin Hospice’s story has been shaped by people who believed their community could care for its neighbors in meaningful ways.

This August, Make a Will Month provides an opportunity to consider what matters most—not only how you want to protect the people you love, but also how you might make a difference for those who come after you.

Creating or updating a will can provide peace of mind for your family and ensure that your wishes are known. For those who choose to include Franklin Hospice in their plans, it can also extend a legacy of compassion well into the future.

The decisions we make today can protect the people we love, reflect the values we hold dear and help ensure that compassionate care will be here for generations to come.

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