Estate Planning Awareness Week: A Legacy of Helping Others
Estate Planning Awareness Week: A Legacy of Helping Others
As we celebrate Estate Planning Awareness Week, we are delighted to feature Rev. Dr. Brent and Mrs. Marlene McCumons, two of our UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Legacy Society members.
Retired United Methodist clergy and elementary school/Reading Recovery teacher, Brent and Marlene McCumons, residents of Chelsea Retirement Community’s Prairie Cottages, have made a lifetime of giving of themselves to make life better for others. It’s not surprising, then, that they continue to give in retirement to serve older adults.
“Philanthropy is important because it always has been,” says Brent. “Both our families taught us the importance of giving.”
As a pastor, most recently at Midland First United Methodist Church, Brent was also involved in fundraising. “As one who has raised funds, I understand the importance of givers,” Brent says.
While serving the Michigan UMC Conference as the Ann Arbor District Superintendent, Brent was the representative for what was then the United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) corporate board. He also recently served as a Resident Representative on the Brio Living Services board. In these ways, Brent says he gained important insights into the organization. “I saw how things are run, and how fiscally responsible the organization is. It’s why we live here.”
Marlene adds, “The consistency of Brio is what has impressed us, from the time Brent was on the UMRC Board to now. It has been above and beyond our expectations.”
When the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation asked Brent to serve on the Campaign Cabinet for its Live Life with Brio comprehensive campaign, Brent agreed. “I looked forward to the opportunity to know more about the Foundation and getting to know Kelli (Smith, President & CEO) and the team. It was an opportunity to have a level of involvement I wouldn’t have had otherwise. It has helped me understand better the wonderful mission of the Foundation and Brio. At this level, you see the different facets of the mission and how everyone in the organization works toward it.”
“When you live here, you see the effects of the Foundation,” says Marlene. “Through Brent’s volunteering on the boards and the Campaign Cabinet, we see how much they care for the people, team members, and residents. The quality of life here is life-giving.”
Brent and Marlene have long been donors to the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, including the Benevolent Care Fund. They also see the importance of the Team Member Support Services Fund that offers Scholarships and Emergency Aid for Brio’s dedicated team members.
Their love for the mission has led them to become members of the Foundation’s Legacy Society through their estate plan. “We want to provide continued support after we’re gone, for the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation and Brio Living Services, whatever their priorities might be,” Brent shares. “There will always be needs and ways of helping people. We feel confident that the organization will accomplish its mission and outreach.”
Brent adds, “I would really encourage others to consider leaving a legacy. We are inspired by those who stepped up to the plate. We want our legacy to be that we helped people in whatever ways we could.”
Learn more about the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation and how you can be a member of the Legacy Society through your estate plan.
