Going back about 30 years ago, I was invited to volunteer with the ECS Development Committee. In 1995 I joined the board where I served for 13 years. For three of those years, I served as president of the board.
Over the course of our history, ECS has always sought out the toughest cases. This was true in the 80’s when AIDS was raging through Philadelphia. ECS was the agency seeking out this group. Where others looked away, we turned toward those who were suffering.
The same was true of our foster care work in the 90’s. We didn’t just provide foster care. We specialized in the care of medically disabled children—those for whom finding foster care was extremely challenging. Yet we did it.
And the same is true today. Our programs are a model for other agencies. It is such a blessing to me personally, and I feel to every person in Philly, that we have ECS. It is very, very special.
Planned giving is that whole biblical notion of tithing. If you are in a position where you can do it financially, yes, it is certainly through hard work and careful personal, financial management, but there is always an element of good fortune and blessings that come with that. You can have that notion of giving back throughout your life, and even after your life, into perpetuity.