O’Neill Provides for the Y’s Future Today. “What Am I Waiting For?”

Spring, 2014

That's the question Megan O'Neill asked herself when she decided to put the Y in her will. She was only 30 years old at the time. The catalyst for preparing a will was the birth of her son, Owen, now 15. She wanted to ensure that Kevin, her husband, and Owen would be taken care of if something unexpected should happen to her.

Why did she include the Y in her will?

"Why not?" she stated. "The most important things to me are my family and the Y. I wonder if some people think they need to be more financially secure or that including the Y in their will is something you do when you're older. But for me, it was a natural extension of giving to the Y."

Megan began her Y career at the Orange County YMCA in California. She started giving to the annual campaign when she was a member of the part-time child care staff. She increased her annual gifts as her career in the Y progressed.

When her husband, Kevin, was transferred to Richmond, Virginia, in 1997, Megan secured the membership director position at the Manchester Family Y. Her talent and hard work were recognized—with promotions to executive director at the Manchester Family Y and, later, the Shady Grove Family Y. She now serves at the YMCA Association Resource Center as vice president of operations.

Life continues to evolve. When Megan's daughter, Maggie, was born in 2002, Megan updated her will. Wills should be evaluated and updated as life changes occur. One constant for Megan is that the Y remains a beneficiary.

Keeping the Y in her estate plans is a measure of the value Megan places on philanthropy. "I want my children to have the spirit of philanthropy. And I think they do. The Y helps by giving them opportunities to volunteer and serve others. I want that spirit to be integrated into the tapestry of my family's life."

When Megan talks about the value of gifts that come through bequests, she remembers fondly some donors who are no longer with us. "I would hear about their gift to the Y—and sweet memories would come back of them and their service."

The Y is committed to keeping memories alive by helping family members who are still living understand the power of their loved one's gift. How proud they are to know that the one they loved, who is no longer here, continues to make a difference!

Those putting the YMCA in their estate plans have the flexibility to designate a specific Y. Or the gift can simply be to the YMCA OF GREATER RICHMOND, which is what Megan has done.

Megan was right when she said that putting the YMCA in her will was a natural extension of her commitment to the Y. However, she may have missed the mark when she said, "My gift won't move mountains." It might not if it stood alone, but planned gifts to the YMCA OF GREATER RICHMOND never stand alone. They join with other gifts, large and small. As part of the Y's endowment, bequests ensure that children can flourish in safe and productive environments after school. They ensure that persons struggling for greater health will find partners for their journey at the Y. Bequests build community and capacity. They extend the reach of the Y into neighborhoods where walls of fear keep too many individuals from achieving their potential.

"So, what are you waiting for?" Megan asked herself. It is a great question.

There was no answer to the question for her. It wasn't more money or more time or a different stage in life. She knew what she wanted to do and she did it. "It is a seamless continuation of my commitment to the Y," Megan concludes. "It is a no-brainer."

As Megan moves into her third decade of service to the YMCA, she sees the impact that planned gifts made years ago still have today. She knows that others will benefit from her gift when she's gone. We are confident they will have sweet memories of her service when they do.