Purple Legacy Society
The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York has created a Purple Legacy Society to honor individuals who have named EFNENY in their wills or estate plans, whether it be through a bequest, charitable trust, life insurance, or other form of charitable giving through estate planning.
How will your legacy help?
Your legacy will help fund the work we do to help those affected by epilepsy including: answering questions and providing information to someone newly diagnosed; counseling the individual and their loved ones while they go on this journey that has changed their life; supporting those who need socialization and a way to express themselves through art therapy; teaching seizure recognition and first aid in schools, to first responders, and businesses; and funding much-needed research to find a cure to END EPILEPSY.
Ready to Join the Cause?
If you would like to leave a legacy, please consider naming the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York in your will or estate plans. We are a non-profit organization with a 501c(3) tax exempt status (Tax ID: 14-1637156). Once you have made your arrangements, please notify us of your intent so we can thank you TODAY and welcome you into the Purple Legacy Society!
We have made the process simple for you, just complete and return this form to show your intended support.
Purple Legacy Society Spotlight: Barbara Quackenbush
Barbara Quackenbush didn’t receive her epilepsy diagnosis until more than a decade after her first seizure at age 38. Her path to effective treatment was long and winding, marked by trial-and-error with medications and the life-altering challenges of living without a driver’s license while raising children. Yet through it all, she built a thriving career in education—rising from middle school principal to school superintendent. Motivated by her experience, Barbara dedicated ten years to advocacy and leadership as a board member of the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of persistence.
Making a will and naming the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York was an important decision for Barbara Quackenbush, a current member of the Purple Legacy Society.
–Jerry and Robyn Silverman, current members of the Purple Legacy Society, pictured with their son, Josh (center)
Purple Legacy Society Spotlight: The Silverman’s
Our 31-year-old son, Josh, was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 13. My wife, Robyn, and I knew nothing about epilepsy nor could we have known how it would change our lives. We turned to the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York and they have provided support and services which continue to this day.
The Epilepsy Foundation provided help with Josh’s IEP (Individualized Education Program) and introduced us to a Parents’ Support Group. We attended the Foundation’s conferences where we learned more and met others on this journey. They also helped get Medicaid waiver services for Josh’s TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). The Foundation has been with us for the whole journey.
In 2015, Robyn and I included the Foundation in our wills. Mind you, Robyn is a retired college professor and I’m a retired journalist so we are not people of tremendous means. But it is very important to us to make sure the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York will always
be here for the people who need it the way it was there for us.
Please keep this in mind: Planned Giving is an after-lifetime gift. So even those of us of modest means will have some kind of an estate, a house, a retirement plan, life insurance, etc. Planned Giving allows most of us to give more generously than we could during our lifetime.
–Jerry and Robyn Silverman, current members of the Purple Legacy Society, pictured with their son, Josh (center)
Contact our Director of Donor Engagement Today!
For more information about the Purple Legacy Society, you may view our brochure below, or contact our Director of Donor Engagement, Susan Kaczynski, by emailing or calling (518) 456-7501.
Did You Know: August is Make A Will Month?
Did you know that August is Make-A-Will month? It’s the perfect time to think ahead to care for your family and your future. Everyone needs a will, whether you are in your early 20’s or late into your 80’s, it’s best to have your wishes written down so they are carried through.
Making a will protects your loved ones and is a powerful way to create a legacy without costing you anything during your lifetime.