Leslie Calhoun on How She Wants to be Remembered

By Mark Anderson, National DPG

I recently met with a donor who told me that she wanted to include a bequest in her trust for OM’s Freedom Climb ministry. She so impressed me with her perspective on planning her estate that I thought you would be inspired by her as I was.

MA: Leslie, how did you first hear about OM’s Freedom Climb ministry?

LESLIE: I was introduced to Freedom Climb through my good friend, Kristy Allan. When she told me she was going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for women and children around the world who are victimized and exploited, I knew I had to get involved.

MA: What is it about the Freedom Climb ministry that is so compelling?

LESLIE: The thoughtfulness and compassion of Freedom Climb is inspiring. I have incredible respect for its mission and purpose and my heart is touched to know that I am helping to raise money and awareness to help the oppressed and enslaved. Too many women and children are born into poverty, unfairness, discrimination and abusive situations. I want to be part of the end of oppression of spirit and voice.

MA: What prompted you to decide to leave part of your estate to Freedom Climb?

LESLIE: My hope is that I can inspire others to get involved and support Freedom Climb by encouraging their participation and perhaps even their generosity. Through the gift of my savings at my death to the Freedom Climb ministry it is my desire to be remembered by my family and friends as someone who found that helping and loving causes that are bigger than my small circle is who I am and how I want to be remembered.

MA: I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you, Leslie, for your love and support of OM, particularly for the victims that Freedom Climb is trying to help every day. We couldn’t do it without people like you.