CHARITABLE PROGRAMS

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

United Methodist Homes Fund

Bequests

Gifts Paying a Lifetime Income

Matching Gifts

UNITED METHODIST HOMES FUND

Contributions to United Methodist Homes make it possible to provide services which enhance the quality of life for residents, as well as to provide care for those who can no longer pay the full cost of services they receive. United Methodist Homes provides approximately $1 million in charitable care each year.

Donations also make other quality of life enhancements possible, by providing unrestricted funds to support resident services not covered by fees or government reimbursement.

Examples of these Quality-of-Life Enhancements, designed especially for elderly adults who have limited mobility or vision or who suffer memory loss, include:

• Daily assisted walking and exercise programs led by a team of therapists
• Specially trained staff to care for Alzheimer’s patients
• Training and supervision of volunteers who provide one-on-one visits and lead activities
• Chaplain’s visits during illness and bereavement
• Pet therapy and intergenerational programs with young children

All donations are recognized in the Annual Report of United Methodist Homes, unless a donor prefers to give anonymously.

Donors can also contribute to special projects that enhance the facilities and equipment available to serve residents. We welcome donations to our fund that supports the continuing education of the staff. Donations may also be made to specific services such as Bishop Wicke Health Center, Middlewoods of Newington, Sharon Health Care Center, or Hospice Volunteers of Northwest Connecticut.

Gifts may also be designated for endowment so that the principal is invested in perpetuity and the return on the principal is available to support our programs.

BEQUESTS

To make a bequest to United Methodist Homes, you should include the following statement in your will:

I give, devise and bequeath (state specifics of bequest here, e.g., 10% of my estate) to United Methodist Homes in Shelton.

Specifying a percentage of your estate as a bequest is generally preferable to specifying a dollar amount. It means that the beneficiaries of your estate, including charities, will receive the proportion you intend, even though your estate may increase or decrease in value.

You can also make a bequest to a specific facility or service such as Sharon Health Care Center or Hospice Volunteers of Northwest Connecticut.

GIFTS PAYING A LIFETIME INCOME

Stratford residents Ray and Shirley Ekwall related the following about their recent decision to make a charitable gift annuity with United Methodist Homes:

“As we watched the steep decline in the investment income that we depend on during retirement, we began looking for more stable sources of income. We read about United Methodist Homes charitable gift annuities that provide steady income at an attractive, guaranteed rate.

“Because we have several friends who have moved to Wesley Village in Shelton, we know of the friendliness and professionalism of the Wesley Village staff. We believe in the good work that United Methodist Homes is doing at Wesley Village and its other locations.

“By establishing our charitable gift annuity, we are helping to sustain a long tradition of personalized service for seniors while securing a stable income for the rest of our lives. It’s the best of both worlds.

“No wonder they call this the gift that keeps on giving!”

Life income gifts can be funded with cash, stock or marketable property.

Examples of Charitable Gift Annuities

United Methodist Homes offers donors free, confidential financial planning services which can help them meet their financial and charitable goals in a tax-wise manner. Please contact the Office of Development at 203-925-4952, or rcongdon@umh.org.

MATCHING GIFTS

To learn more about matching gift programs and United Methodist Homes, please contact the Office of Development and Public Relations at 203-925-4952, or rcongdon@umh.org.