Family is Everything
I've lived in Canada my whole life, but my family’s Dutch heritage is still a big part of who I am today. In fact, my grandkids call me “Oma”, and my nephew calls me “Tante”!
You likely know quite a few second-generation Canadians like me. And like many of them, I was born to parents who came to Canada to build a new life after the Second World War. My aunt and uncle joined them soon after. All four of them had grown up in war-torn Holland, and would often talk to us about the struggles they faced—forced to leave their homes, often not knowing where their next meal would come from.
I believe that’s why we were a really tight-knit family growing up. My childhood memories are chock-full of family gatherings, boisterous card games, and outdoor play with my siblings and cousins. And now, some 50-odd years later, I still value family above all else.
I think that’s why SOS Children’s Villages is so near to my heart. Because at its very core, its organizational mission is to provide children with a loving family. And I think that’s simply the most important thing in the world, don’t you?
It was several years ago that I made the decision to leave a gift in my will to SOS Children’s Villages. I’d been a donor for many years prior to that, but I wanted to ensure that their amazing work could continue on—whether it’s bringing a child into an SOS Village, or providing vulnerable families with the resources they need to stay together as a unit.
If you’re thinking about making a gift to charity in your will, I encourage you to consider SOS Children’s Villages. It’s hard to describe to you how great it feels, knowing that my family’s legacy of love and togetherness will live on, even after I’m gone.
Prior to my retirement, I actually worked in the non-profit sector for most of my career. And I can tell you that SOS Children’s Villages always impressed me in how they do things. In fact, I even visited an SOS Village back in 2014. Seeing everything first-hand and meeting the SOS mothers and their families was an experience I won’t soon forget. It reminded me of my own childhood, with lots of laughter, love and unconditional support. Every child deserves the joy that a loving family brings, wouldn’t you agree?
If you choose to leave a gift in your will to this organization, you can trust that your gift will be used wisely and thoughtfully—and that many children will benefit for years to come. I hope you’ll consider joining me in giving more children a happy childhood, with a gift in your will to SOS Children’s Villages.
Josephine van Herpt, Legacy Donor
