THE BIRTH of a LEGACY

The Birth of a Legacy

LEGACY – Defined by one on-line dictionary as:

[ˈleɡəsē]

noun

legacies

(plural noun)

1. an amount of money or property left to someone in a will.

Most of us can relate to legacy in a context other than money. We think of speeches we have heard about great people leaving a legacy of honor, a heritage to those who knew them which inspired them to become a better person. Woe to us if the only legacy we might ever know is a financial one. Sure, a financial windfall is great; but the treasure found when someone has poured themselves into your life and provided you tools to become even more than you are already, that is the most valuable legacy.

What is a Living Legacy?

Dan Fogelberg wrote in ‘The Leader of the Band” how the singer had become “just a living legacy to the leader of the band”. What the Leader had created then was not only a student musician who was gifted a legacy to that student; but the Leader’s investment in the student would pay dividends as the student, as a living legacy would invest in the lives of others creating an endowment of sorts, paying ahead. The number of people blessed by such philanthropy of the heart grows exponentially. Fogelberg said in an interview, “If I could have written only one song in my life, it would have been Leader of the Band. What that meant to my father and me, there is no way to quantify that or even explain it.”[i]

Such is the case with the new 501c3, Legacy of Honor (LoH) created by Daniel Riggs and operating out of Louisville, Ohio. Driven by a desire to reach out to people he knew that are veterans, first responders and their families who are hurting, struggling to get through another day, and feel unable to reach out. One, a great ‘battle-buddy’ to Daniel, took his own life as the stress to succeed in a high-profile military assignment became more than he could bear.

Legacy of Honor is created to serve people at all stages of life whether active duty military, veterans, currently working as first responders or retired and for their families.

What is it that Legacy of Honor can do to help?

The possibilities are endless, but some examples are mentioned here. For a wife, who cares for her children and is the home-care provider for her disabled first responder, it might be an afternoon of staying with the first responder while the wife goes out for a spa day with her friends! It might be clearing fall leaves from gutters or building a wheelchair ramp. Light construction projects or many types of work that might have been started but never completed. Driving someone to their doctor appointment, waiting for a veteran or public safety responder when in therapy or needing tests done. Taking them out for a simple meal to share in companionship. The list can go on if the imagination is in operation!

For Daniel, his grandfather’s and father’s military service which preceded his own is a Legacy of Honor. His heart’s desire now is to live out his Christian faith by creating this 501c3 designed to pay forward the gracious gifts of his legacy to those to whom all Americans owe a debt of gratitude.

What can you do to help Legacy of Honor?

First, is to bring to our attention the needs of family or neighbors so contact can be made. This opens the door for much needed conversation to address those needs and help create a plan to best fulfill the need. Please communicate with us through our email.

Second, and probably the most pressing need of LoH, is financial support from individuals, community businesses, and philanthropic agencies who see our vision and want to help further that vison. Please help financially with this 501c3 mission. Any financial support can be made know through our email.

Third, are volunteers who have special skills needed to help complete projects, volunteers to be available to help with needs that have been brought forth, and volunteers to help with labor to complete projects.  Sometimes is just needing a driver. Everyone who has a desire to help can aide in many areas of need.  Open your hearts and help!

Lastly, prayers are needed for our organization to be successful. We know that God is in the driver’s seat and we are just His warriors to help fulfil those directives. Please pray for us, and the mission of our organization.

Thank you in advance for all that you can do to help. 

Mission Statement:

Legacy of Honor’s mission is to reach out to veterans, first responders and their families to serve those who have served us.

Legacy of Honor can be contacted through driggs@honorthelegacy.org. or by mail at Legacy of Honor 229 E. Main Street Suite C Louisville, Ohio 44641

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[i] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDByv7HoAyg