Giving Back for a Brighter Future

We see firsthand—in the work we do every day—how access to care can transform a family.

Six years ago, the Forthofer family was in crisis. Their sons, Ryan and Justin, both have myotonic muscular dystrophy and autism, and the brothers' challenging behaviors made them a danger to themselves, each other and their family.

Their mother, Theresa, has a unique perspective of Easterseals. She is the president and CEO of Easterseals DuPage and Fox Valley in a suburb of Chicago. Theresa, like all mothers, has the same thoughts running through her mind that many of the families her affiliate supports also have: "I hate to imagine where our family might have ended up had we not received the services when we did."

With the help of Easterseals, both boys are making excellent progress and are living successfully at home. Today, the Forthofers face a brighter future, and they plan to give back to Easterseals. Theresa and her family have included a gift to Easterseals in their estate plan.

"While I consider myself pretty young to be considering a legacy gift, and we certainly don't have the means of leaving much, I want to be sure that an organization that has helped my family may benefit from whatever money might be left when we are gone. It's easy and a very simple way for us to give back."

As a dear friend of Easterseals, you clearly believe in helping others, like the Forthofer family. Won't you consider a gift to Easterseals in your estate plan? There are many options for making Easterseals one of your beneficiaries of your estate. We invite you to contact our Gift Planning Team at giftplanning@easterseals.com or 800-221-6827, ext. 7240 to learn more.