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Kindness in Action Local Charities That Make a Difference
My name is Bronwyn, and I’m the probate and trust administration coordinator at Sheppard Law. I spend my days working with people who have recently endured a loss, guiding them through a potentially confusing process. We will all need the support of others at some point in our lives, which is why I believe it’s so critical to provide a helping hand whenever we can. The International Day of Charity on Sept. 5 encourages us to celebrate the difference we can make. I saw early how the kindness of strangers could impact a person’s life. My older brother has Down syndrome and experienced countless opportunities thanks to charitable organizations. He went on trips, created arts and crafts, played games, and participated in Special Olympics Youth Athletes events. Those remain some of his favorite memories today, and I’m so grateful for what volunteers and donors made possible. Thanks to those moments, I feel compelled to help others as much as possible. Two local organizations are near and dear to my heart, and I’d like to share a bit about them with our readers. The Heights Foundation ( HeightsFoundation.org ) was formed in 2000 in response to a church outreach event in the Harlem Heights neighborhood. It revealed the dire substandard living conditions many residents and their children were experiencing. The organization serves these families and helps them become self- sufficient by providing after-school care, tutoring, job training, adult programs, arts programs, social services support, and numerous outreach programs. After Hurricane Ian, the Heights Foundation also immediately stepped up to orchestrate rebuilding efforts on top of its other work, so it’s no surprise that in 2022, the organization provided 420,000 volunteer hours to our community. There are many ways to get involved, either through a financial contribution or the gift of your time.
Another organization I appreciate is the Gladiolus Food Pantry ( GladiolusFoodPantry. org ), which also serves
our neighbors in the Harlem Heights area. When Hurricane Ian severely damaged the food pantry, volunteers continued handing out food and water in the following weeks and months. Now, I’m glad to say it’s back up and running normally. I recently drove past the food pantry and saw a line of people wrapped around the building. In other words, the need has not gone away. I firmly believe no one should ever go hungry — especially children. So, this charity means a great deal to me. The food pantry accepts financial donations and volunteers, food donations, and any needed items posted on the website. My schedule keeps me from volunteering, but I’m proud to support these organizations in other ways. Though it may sound corny, I believe helping other people enriches us, and I agree with Gandhi’s assertion that “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Even a small amount of our time or money can radically improve someone else’s life, and no act of kindness is ever wasted. If you’re looking for ways to make a difference in our community, I urge you to check out the Heights Foundation and Gladiolus Food Pantry websites. You’ll find more information there about how many small actions can add up to something big.
–Bronwyn Merhige
1 (239) 265-9779
SEPTEMBER 2023
Hilarious Real-Life Crimes They Seem Too Dumb to Be True! Today, we have tons of podcasts, YouTube videos, TikToks, and his (James’) home. James also shared his phone number in case anyone had any additional information.
documentaries about true crime. It seems like we can’t get enough of learning about the person behind heinous crimes and their motives. But what about the crimes you can’t help but laugh at because they’re almost too funny to be true? Here are two crimes you won’t believe happened because of how silly and, Nicholas Wig broke into James Wood’s house one night and stole his credit cards, cash, watches, and more. However, the 26-year-old thief left his Nike shoes, jeans, and a belt at the scene of the crime … but that’s not all. When James got home, he was stunned to see his house had been broken into. But after realizing the thief had accessed Facebook on his computer, he decided to post on Nicholas’ account that he (Nicholas) had broken into for the lack of a better term, dumb they are! Don’t forget to log out of Facebook!
Nicholas contacted James over text, and the two agreed to meet in person. The thief thought if he went to James’ home and returned the stolen items, everything would be fine — but that’s not how things played out. As soon as James spotted Nicholas walking toward his home, he called the police. When law enforcement arrived, they arrested the thief on the spot. Monopoly money doesn’t work in the real world. Michael Fuller stopped by Walmart to purchase a vacuum cleaner and microwave for $476. But instead of paying with real money, he decided to pay using a million-dollar note from the game Monopoly. The gentleman then demanded that he receive $999,524 from the cashier since he would need cash back for his “purchases.” The cashier called the police, and Michael was charged with attempting to obtain property by false pretenses. Can you believe these hilarious crimes?! Do you know of any we should highlight next time? We would love to hear from you!
T h r e a t o f A
How the Condition Affects Millions of Americans
Our hearts are complex organs, so there are multiple opportunities for things to go wrong. Heart attacks and blocked arteries tend to get most of the attention, but Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month in September aims to bring attention to a lesser-known condition. The disease affects as many as 6.1 million Americans, and experts expect that number to increase to 12.1 million by 2030. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), and 9% of Americans age 65 or older have it. It can have a far-reaching impact on people’s health, and those with AFib face an increased risk of several life-threatening conditions — in fact, experts attribute approximately 1 in 7 strokes to AFib. The disease is also related to higher blood clot and heart failure rates when left untreated.
Not all patients with AFib experience symptoms, but those who do usually describe feeling their heart beat rapidly or skip beats. Some people with AFib also have lightheadedness, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Anyone who experiences these symptoms should seek urgent medical attention. They could be signs of AFib but might also indicate an emergency. In addition to age, numerous other conditions increase the risk of developing AFib. It is more common among people with high blood pressure, obesity, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, and diabetes. Receiving treatment for these conditions can reduce the risk of developing AFib. Smoking, moderate to heavy alcohol use, and frequent caffeine consumption are also common contributing factors.
Unfortunately, the death rate from AFib has been rising for more than two decades, but medication
and other interventions can significantly reduce the risk of adverse outcomes. Many people take medicine to control their heart rates, and blood thinners can also lower the risk of a blood clot. Surgery is sometimes necessary, but people can also partially manage the condition with lifestyle changes like exercise, a healthy diet, and stress reduction. The risk of AFib is just one of many reasons why it’s so important to visit our doctors for an annual physical examination and when we experience new symptoms. The earlier someone receives an atrial fibrillation diagnosis, the more likely they are to beat back its worst effects.
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Double Whammy The Woman Who Paid Taxes on Stolen Funds
A durable power of attorney is one of the most critical documents in any estate plan, but this cautionary tale demonstrates just how quickly things can go wrong. To read Craig’s full thoughts, visit FloridaEstatePlanning.com/double-whammy. Who we name as our agent under a durable power of attorney (DPOA) document is vital to our financial, legal, and tax well-being. I regularly engage in serious conversations with my clients about who they should name in the roles of trustee and durable power of attorney. Most importantly, you never want to give full authority over your
financially, diverting her income (mainly from Individual Retirement Account (IRA) distributions) for his personal use. Chip filed his mother’s tax returns and paid her income tax from her funds, even though the money he withdrew from the IRAs was not primarily used for his mother’s care but for his own. Upon discovering Chip’s malfeasance, Mary Ellen’s daughter Julianne filed an action in Louisiana court to remove Chip. She also filed amended tax returns seeking a refund of over $519,000 because Mary Ellen didn’t benefit from the IRA distributions. While taxing someone on funds they arguably never benefited from seems unfair, the U.S. District Court in Louisiana found the theft of Mary Ellen’s IRA inadmissible at trial. The court reasoned that the IRA distributions were paid to Mary Ellen’s checking account, so what happened after that is irrelevant. The lesson learned is that sometimes you can’t even trust your own children — and the law may be unable to protect you. Trusts and DPOAs are vehicles used to avoid the expense and time related to court supervision over our personal legal, tax, and financial affairs. But because there is no court supervision, fraud is
legal and financial affairs to someone who will take advantage of you. Most of us trust our children, but a recent case demonstrates what can go wrong. Mary Ellen Nice, a resident of Louisiana, granted a DPOA to her son, Chip. A few years after giving Chip the DPOA, Mary Ellen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Chip then exploited his mother
much easier to commit. Be sure the parties you name will only have your interest at heart and not their own when you are most vulnerable.
TAKE A BREAK!
INGREDIENTS
Crust •
• • • • • • • •
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup honey
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup melted butter 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• • •
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp salt
Filling •
1/2 tsp ground ginger 3 cups chopped pecans
4 eggs
•
1 cup corn syrup
DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Use baking spray to grease a 13x9-inch pan before lining with parchment paper. 2. In a food processor, blend crust ingredients until a crumble forms. Press mixture into pan. Bake until light golden brown, about 20 minutes (crust will have cracks). 3. In a bowl, whisk all filling ingredients (except pecans) together until smooth. Stir in pecans and pour over crust. Bake until set, around 30 minutes, then let cool completely in pan.
ANSWER ON TOP OF PAGE 4
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(239) 265-9779
9100 College Pointe Court Fort Myers, FL 33919 (239) 265-9779
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INSIDE this issue
SUDOKU ANSWER
Strength in Unity: How Charitable Support Improves Lives PAGE 1 Thief Caught Red-Handed Thanks to Facebook?! PAGE 2 AFib: The Hidden Heart Condition That Affects Millions PAGE 2 Who Can You Trust to Be Your POA? PAGE 3 Spiced Pecan Pie Bars PAGE 3 Keep Yourself Safe While Traveling
Alone PAGE 4
The best compliments we receive are your referrals. When you refer us to your loved ones, we do all we can to exceed expectations.
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e e p Y o ur
Traveling alone can be a memorable and adventurous experience — it’s a great way to step outside your comfort zone and continue learning about yourself. While solo travel is chock-full of exciting perks, staying alone in a hotel can be dangerous if you aren’t careful to take certain safety precautions. The next time you take a trip by yourself, keep these tips in mind! Check in the smart way. When you check in to your hotel, always ask for two room keys — this way, hotel staff and anyone else in earshot will automatically assume someone else is traveling with you. If they ask how many guests will be staying with you, don’t admit you are alone. If you have the option, request a room that isn’t on the ground floor, as research shows they are the easiest to break into! Inspect your room. As soon as you enter the room, make a quick sweep to ensure no one is present in closets, in the shower, or under the bed and that nothing appears to be amiss. It’s always best to be safe rather than sorry! Keep your eyes peeled. Any time you leave your room, even if it’s just to scope out the vending machines, be alert for anyone watching or following you, and always
keep your room number discreet. If you ever feel like someone is following you, get off on a different floor and avoid
going to your room. Use the deadbolt. If the door in your room comes equipped with a deadbolt, use it! This extra safety measure keeps even those with a key from entering your room without your knowing! Share the hotel information. Let your family and friends know where you are staying! Provide them with the hotel name, address, and phone number in case an emergency arises! Traveling solo is a thrilling experience, but it comes with some extra steps to stay safe! Trust your instincts and use these tips to ensure your trip goes down in the memory books as safe and exciting!
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