Those who run charitable organizations around the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys are kicking off a new campaign to "Leave a Legacy."
Members of the Mahoning-Shenango Planned Giving Council met Tuesday morning to begin their efforts. They hope to encourage people in the community to bequest funds to their favorite charity, such as churches, educational institutions, service or arts groups.
"The statistics are that the worse the economy is, the worse people do with planning and with future vision. But the fact of the matter is that you can do something as simple as when you're at the bank change the beneficiary in your savings account to your favorite charity," said Patty Brozik of the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley. "And one of the biggest segments of our economy that people are saving money in right now is Individual Retirement Accounts. I know those assets have dwindled in Individual Retirement Account, but changing that beneficiary is extremely easy to do."
Organizers said recent figures show the collective net worth of people living in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys is close to $40 billion. They believe even a small percentage of that amount could support local charities for years to come.
