News From Britt Hill – Dec 2015/Jan 2016

Does Britt Music and Arts Festival matter to the future generations of Jacksonville and the Rogue Valley? In recent years, many Britt supporters have informed me of their intention to include a designated gift to Britt in their wills. I am pleased to say that over the past year alone, we have been informed of several bequests. What this means to Britt will likely (and hopefully) not be known for many years to come. But, eventually, these gifts will provide a lasting legacy and will have a tremendous impact on our ability to continue providing live and diverse performances and dynamic education programs for our children and grandchildren right here in our own backyard.

Rob and Lori Buerk are one of the many Britt patrons bequeathing a portion of their estate to Britt Music and Arts Festival. I have known and worked with both of them for quite some time, so I felt comfortable asking them why they decided to include Britt in their planned giving. They graciously and enthusiastically agreed to share with Jacksonville Review readers and the Rogue Valley community their philosophy on giving: “Rob experienced his first Britt concert 34 years ago. When we began our estate planning, like so many others, we wanted to make sure our family was taken care of. But just as importantly, we wanted to acknowledge the other life experiences we value and hold close to our heart. For us, Britt represents not only extraordinary arts, music and entertainment, but also a sense of volunteerism and community, two attributes valued highly in our lives. By including Britt in our estate planning, we believe we are helping ensure that a treasured part of our life in Jacksonville will be preserved for our family and others to enjoy into perpetuity and someday our grandchildren will walk in our Britt footsteps.” —Rob and Lori Buerk

Britt supporters have the opportunity to ensure that future generations are able to experience the beauty and magic of our hill. With a gift in your overall estate or financial plans, Britt can continue to grow its education programs and produce world-class music, while enhancing the quality of life in our community for years to come. It’s easier than you might think. If you would like to join Rob and Lori in a lasting tribute to our community through your will or estate plan, please contact me for further information. I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.