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
Hagerstown, MD, August 12, 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 ahead can provide clarity during an already difficult time.
A Legacy Rooted in Compassion
At Hospice of Washington County (HWC), we see the power of legacy every day.
HWC began in 1980 as a small, all-volunteer organization, born from the vision of exceptional community members who recognized the value of hospice care for their loved ones and neighbors. What started with a group of volunteers and a commitment to compassionate end-of-life care has grown, through the generosity and support of the community, into an organization with nearly 100 staff members serving more than 200 patients each day.
That growth is itself a testament to the power of people coming together to make a difference.
Today, HWC provides care and support to patients and families throughout the community, helping people live as fully and comfortably as possible during serious illness and at the end of life. The organization’s work extends beyond hospice care to include services such as pediatric hospice, grief counseling for children and adults, veteran services, senior living, private residence care and other specialized programs designed to enhance quality of life. In September 2024, HWC and Gilchrist , Maryland’s leading provider of geriatric, palliative and hospice care, entered into affiliation agreement. This partnership united two of Maryland’s oldest and most experienced nonprofit organizations, together with over 75 years of service to their communities.
For many families, the care they receive becomes part of their own story and legacy.
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 HWC 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 HWC are also invited to have a confidential conversation with the organization about their plans and the ways a future gift can support HWC’s mission. Individuals who have already included HWC 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 HWC’s future through planned giving.
Creating a Legacy of Care
For more than four decades, HWC’s story has been shaped by people who believed their community could care for its neighbors in meaningful ways. From a handful of volunteers in 1980 to an organization serving hundreds of patients and families today, that legacy continues because people choose to invest in compassionate care.
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 Hospice of Washington County 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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