Planned giving is a gift of the heart

by Elly Brtva, Vice President of Sambhali U.S.

My mother was a seamstress and each time I read about the Sambhali Boutique and the Sambhali Graduates’ Sewing Center, her spirit and memory live in my heart. My mother would have been thrilled to hear about our Sambhali sisters, their stories, and the young girls who have found amazing role models in the Sambhali Trust graduates. She would have been tickled by the handcrafted beautiful clothes, scarves, bags, and more that these talented women and girls have created.

As you can see, Sambhali Trust reminds me of my mother and her passion for sewing. But it’s much more to me. I see the women and girls of Sambhali as sisters, sisters who seek education, training, and independence to excel in life--much like what my mom wanted for me. Our Sambhali sisters are an inspiration to me and in honor of my mother, I am committed to ensuring our sisters continue to thrive for themselves and for their children.

I am excited to share with you that I am making Sambhali U.S. a beneficiary of my life insurance so that eventually a portion of this policy, beyond my days on earth, continues to support our Sambhali sisters to excel in their own lives. The important choice of considering my beneficiaries prompted my husband and I to discuss our estate plans and philanthropic wishes. It is so important to have these conversations while we’re here and cognizant. For me, it’s like the last stitch or tying the knot that is made in your life garment. My mother would have loved that I am dedicating a gift to help others who share her love for sewing and a desire for a better future for her children.    

Today I certainly have a better understanding of sewing and a better appreciation for what my mom was trying to achieve when taking a pattern, cutting out the material, and transforming it into a beautiful article of clothing. When I see the Sambhali boutique gifts, I see my mother’s smile and remember the sound of her sewing machine.     

If you are fortunate to have a job, you will be making choices in November and December during open enrollment. I invite you to join me during the benefits enrollment season in considering a planned gift, no matter what size, to Sambhali U.S. Planned gifts can be made through your life insurance, retirement accounts, or any other account that includes a beneficiary option. I’ve made my ‘final knot’ and I would love to have more supporters join this new and exciting group of philanthropists.

If you choose to support Sambhali U.S. as a beneficiary, please tell us about it so we can thank you. We would also love to hear your thoughts on launching a new Sambhali U.S. planned giving society. One of our newest volunteers, Yvonne Lee, has more than a decade of experience in planned giving and she welcomes any and all ideas and declarations. She can be contacted by email at donate@sambhalius.org.