There are many ways to leave your mark on a community.

Maybe you helped a neighbor through a difficult season. You volunteered your time. You supported organizations doing work you believed in. You gave because you wanted Bartholomew County to be a place where people have opportunities, families can find stability and everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.

That impact doesn't have to end with your lifetime.

October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month, and it is a good reminder to think about what we want to leave behind, not just for the people we love, but for the community we love, too.

For some, that means including United Way of Bartholomew County in an estate plan.

A planned gift can help strengthen our community well into the future. It can help United Way continue bringing people and organizations together, responding as needs change and investing in solutions that help our neighbors build stronger, more stable lives.

And you don't need an enormous estate to make a difference. Planned gifts come in many sizes and can take different forms, including a gift through a will or trust or naming United Way as a beneficiary.

What matters is the intention behind it.

For generations, people in Bartholomew County have stepped forward when their neighbors needed them. They have given, volunteered, led and cared for one another.

A planned gift is one way to make sure that spirit continues.

As you think about your estate plans, consider the story you want your generosity to tell.

Years from now, your impact can still be felt right here at home.

Please consult your attorney or financial advisor for help with any planned gifts.