Helping Beth Live Her Best Life

By Jean and Bill Gjetson

Giving back is extremely important to my family. We have been donors to Hammer since 2005, when my daughter, Beth, moved to a Hammer home after having lived in Michigan almost her whole life. Several years later, my husband, Bill, and I made the decision to include Hammer in our estate plan. We are honored to be members of the Alvina Hammer Heritage Society, doing our part to ensure that those served by Hammer have the quality of life they deserve, today and forever.

Hammer has made a critical difference in Beth's life and for all of our family. Thanks to Hammer, the quality of her life has been enhanced immeasurably. She tells me regularly how much she likes living in her Hammer home and being part of the Hammer community. She feels comfortable, secure and happy with her fellow house mates and her caregivers. She wants to live at Hammer for the rest of her life, which gives us as parents great peace of mind.

Before my brother Jack passed away in 2013, he also made sure that a gift from his estate was designated to go to Hammer. His gift was used to help renovate Beth's group home, creating a true and lasting legacy. My son, Bruce, has served on Hammer's board of directors, and he and his wife, Celeste, are annual donors to Hammer. Bruce told me recently, "Beth is her best self at Hammer." That is so very true!

We are grateful to have the opportunity to give back to Hammer to help ensure that individuals living with developmental disabilities have the support they need. We deeply believe in Hammer's mission of providing the very best quality of life for the people served. At a recent event, Hammer's CEO John Estrem talked about providing a life that is rich with family, friendship and community—that's what Beth has now and will have for the years to come!