August is National Make-A-Will Month

A reminder to plan for the people and causes that matter most.

August is National Make-A-Will Month, a time dedicated to encouraging individuals to create or update their will to make their wishes clear and think about the people and causes that matter most to them. 

According to a 2025 survey from Caring.com, only 24% of Americans reported having a will, down from 33% in 2022. 

Without a will, state law, rather than your personal wishes, generally determines how your estate is handled after you pass. 

It is understandable that many people put off estate planning because it can be a difficult subject to think about, and knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming. 

To make getting started a little easier, Penn-Mar has gathered these free tools and resources to help you plan for the future. 

For those who choose to include Penn-Mar in their estate plans, the Legacy Circle is our way of recognizing and thanking them for that commitment. It also connects people who share a belief in Penn-Mar’s mission and its future.  

I see firsthand how essential individual donations, bequests, and grants are to supplement the government funding that helps us meet the basic needs of the people we support. Our Penn-Mar Foundation exists to ensure we have the additional resources needed to carry out our mission — creating bold new possibilities to help them live courageously in pursuit of their best life. 

My wife, Terri, and I chose to include a gift to Penn-Mar in our will so that our support will continue beyond our lifetimes. That decision also made us part of the Legacy Circle, a community we are proud to join. This gift is our way of celebrating the lasting impact of a mission that has become a guiding force in our lives. 

These transformational gifts are called “legacy” for a reason: they are an extension of who we are and have life-changing effects on generations to come. Planned giving is all about creating support that endures. I often imagine how our gift to Penn-Mar will one day impact the life of someone not yet born.  

You don’t need to know today exactly what your future gift might look like. If you’re considering including Penn-Mar in your plans, we’ve gathered resources to help you explore your options. And if you’ve already included Penn-Mar in your estate plans, we’d love to know so we can thank you and welcome you to the Legacy Circle.  

Make-A-Will Month is an important reminder that creating or updating a will is one way we can care for the people we love and continue supporting the causes that have shaped our lives. 

 Whatever your plans may be, I hope this month gives you a reason to start the conversation. 

For more information about The Legacy Circle, Contact Jenn Hobbs at jennhobbs@penn-mar.org.