These days it seems there’s a week for everything. In October alone there are more than 100 commemorative days, weeks or months covering health, education, or employment topics. They range from the vital – National Mammography Day (Oct 16) - to the trivial – National Clean your Virtual Desktop Day (October 17). The list seems unwieldly, but I suppose commemorative days do – for a moment – give focus to deserving issues or causes. And, with so much to demand our attention, that can be a useful service.
So where am I going with this? Well next week, October 17 -23, is National Estate Planning Week – established by Congress in 2008. It’s celebrated every third week of October and reminds us about the importance of planning for what happens after we’re gone. If we don’t have a plan, then the decision we’re making is to let someone else decide for us. Usually it’s the state (or District) where you are living when you die. I don’t know about you, but for me, these are decisions I’d prefer to make.
The Village Legacy Society
So, now that I have you thinking about this, I’d like to ask you to consider naming the Village as part of your estate plan. A few years ago, the Village launched our Legacy Society with our first President, Barbara Stevens, and current co-chair, Sandy Rubin announcing their intention to remember the Village in their estate plans. And earlier this year, the Village received our first legacy gift from a generous and thoughtful member for whom the Village was important and meaningful.
Legacy gifts are a last investment in the Village and your neighborhood, and will support active, independent, and healthy aging for years to come. Your gift allows us to continue to offer programs and services as well as membership subsidies for those with limited means. Your personal financial or tax advisor can answer specific questions about what type of planned donation is appropriate for you. To learn more about our Legacy Society, visit our website at www.CWPV.org/legacy.
P.S. I’ll be off next week visiting old friends in Maine and Cape Cod. I will, however, be watching our Tuesday Talk with Matt Wuerker. Hope to “see” you there. For complete details about the talk, please visit www.TuesdayTalksDC.com
Frank Finamore is Executive Director of the Village
P.S. In case you’re interested – here’s a quick list of October’s Commemorative Calendar!
October Month Long Observances
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Book Month
Mental Illness Awareness Month
National Dental Hygiene Month
National Book Month
Photographer Appreciation Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
American Pharmacist's Month
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Bullying Prevention Month
Crime Prevention Month
Principals Month
Physical Therapy Month
Week Commemorations
3rd-9th Fire Prevention Week
2nd - 8th Mental Illness Awareness Week
2nd - 8th Healthcare Supply Chain Week
2nd - 8th Healthcare Food Service Week
3rd - 7th Customer Service Week
9th -15th Emergency Nurses Week
16th - 22nd International Infection Prevention Week
17th - 21st National School Bus Safety Week
17th - 21st National Financial Planning Week
17th - 21st Pharmacy Week
22nd - 30th Red Ribbon Week
23rd - 29th National Respiratory Care Week
Daily Commemorations
Sunday, October 2
International Day of Non-Violence
National Custodian Day
National Name Your Car Day
National Fried Scallops Day
Guardian Angels Day
Change A Light Day
World Communion Sunday
Monday, October 3
Children's Health Day
Butterfly and Hummingbird Day
"Mean Girls" Day
National Techies Day
World Architecture Day
National Unity Day
National Consignment Day
National Child Health Day
National Boyfriend Day
World Habitat Day
Tuesday, October 4
Improve Your Office Day
National Cinnamon Roll Day
National Taco Day
National Vodka Day
World Animal Day
National Fruit at Work Day
National Golf Lovers Day
Improve Your Office Day
Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
Yom Kippur Begins
Wednesday, October 5
Dasara
National Be Nice Day
World Teachers Day
National Walk and Bike to School Day
National Pumpkin Seed Day
National Kale Day
National Do Something Nice Day
National Apple Betty Day
International Walk to School Day
National Get Funky Day
Thursday, October 6
National Mad Hatter Day
National Depression Screening Day
National German-American Day
National Noodle Day
World Cerebral Palsy Day
National Plus Size Appreciation Day
National Transfer Money to Your Daughter Day
Bring Your Bible to School Day
National Coaches Day
National Orange Wine Day
Friday, October 7
World Smile Day
You Matter to Me Day
National Forgiveness & Happiness Day
National Inner Beauty Day
National Frappe Day
National Chocolate Covered Pretzel Day
Manufacturing Day
Kids Music Day
National LED Light Day
Saturday, October 8
International Lesbian Day
National Flutternutter Day
World Octopus Day
National Pierogi Day
American Touch Tag Day
I Love Yarn Day
National Chess Day
Milad an-Nabi (Mawlid)
Sunday, October 9
Pastor Appreciation Day
Leif Erikson Day
World Hospice and Palliative Care Day
National Moldy Cheese Day
International Beer and Pizza Day
World Post Day
Sukkot Begins
Monday, October 10
World Mental Health Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Columbus Day
National Kick Butt Day
World Porridge Day
World Day Against The Death Penalty
National Online Bank Day
World Homeless Day
National Hug a Drummer Day
International Stage Management Day
National Angel Food Cake Day
National Handbag Day
National Cake Decorating Day
Tuesday, October 11
National Coming Out Day
National Face Your Fears Day
National Sausage Pizza Day
International Day of the Girl Child
Southern Food Heritage Day
It's My Party Day
Wednesday, October 12
Farmers Day
National Savings Day
National Stop Bullying Day
World Arthritis Day
National Take Your Parents To Lunch Day
National Pet Obesity Day
National Pulled Pork Day
National Freethought Day
National Gumbo Day
Emergency Nurses Day
National Fossil Day
National Curves Day
Thursday, October 13
International Day for Disaster Reduction
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
U.S. Navy Birthday
World Sight Day
National Yorkshire Pudding Day
National Transfer Money to Your Son Day
National No Bra Day
National M&M Day
National Herpes Awareness Day
International Day for Failure
English Language Day
International Skeptics Day
Ada Lovelace Day
Friday, October 14
National Dessert Day
World Egg Day
Be Bald and Be Free Day
World Standards Day
Saturday, October 15
Global Handwashing Day
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
National Grouch Day
Universal Music Day
Sweetest Day
National Mushroom Day
National "I Love Lucy" Day
International Day of Rural Women
White Cane Safety Day
National Aesthetician Day
National Fetch Day
National Shawarma Day
Sunday, October 16
Global Cat Day
World Food Day
World Spine Day
Dictionary Day
National Liqueur Day
Boss's Day
National Feral Cat Day
National Sports Day
Monday, October 17
Black Poetry Day
National Pasta Day
National Pay Back a Friend Day
National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day
Boss's Day
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Simchat Torah Begins
Tuesday, October 18
World Menopause Day
National No Beard Day
National Pharmacy Technician Day
Health Care Aide Day
National Pharmacy Technician Day
National Chocolate Cupcake Day
Wednesday, October 19
National New Friends Day
LGBT Center Awareness Day
International Pronouns Day
National Medical Assistants Day
World Pediatric Bone and Joint Day
Support Your Local Chamber of Commerce Day
National Seafood Bisque Day
Evaluate Your Life Day
Day of Unity
Thursday, October 20
International Chefs Day
National Chicken and Waffles Day
International Sloth Day
World Osteoporosis Day
Spirit Day
National Day on Writing
Conflict Resolution Day
National Get Smart About Credit Day
Get to Know Your Customers Day
National Youth Confidence Day
Friday, October 21
National Mammography Day
National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
International Day of the Nacho
"Back to the Future" Day
Celebration of the Mind Day
National Apple Day
National Reptile Awareness Day
National Pets for Veterans Day
Saturday, October 22
International Stuttering Awareness Day
Make a Difference Day
National Nut Day
Sunday, October 23
National Boston Cream Pie Day
National Paralegal Day
National Mole Day
National Croc Day
National iPod Day
Monday, October 24
National Food Day
National Bologna Day
United Nations Day
World Development Information Day
Tuesday, October 25
International Artist Day
World Pasta Day
National Greasy Foods Day
National I Care About You Day
National Mother-in-Law Day
Sourest Day
Wednesday, October 26
National Pumpkin Day
National Mincemeat Day
National Day of the Deployed
Lung Health Day
National Chicken Fried Steak Day
Worldwide Howl at the Moon Night
Thursday, October 27
National Black Cat Day
National American Beer Day
National Mentoring Day
Navy Day
World Day for Audiovisual Heritage
National Civics Day
Friday, October 28
National First Responders Day
National Immigrants Day
Frankenstein Friday
National Breadstick Day
International Animation Day
National Chocolate Day
Saturday, October 29
National Trick-or-Treat Day
National Internet Day
National Cat Day
National Oatmeal Day
National Pit Bull Awareness Day
World Psoriasis Day
World Stroke Day
Sunday, October 30
National Candy Corn Day
National Checklist Day
National Publicist Day
National Speak Up For Service Day
National Text Your Ex Day
Mischief Night
Monday, October 31
Halloween
National Caramel Apple Day
National Knock Knock Joke Day
National Magic Day
Girl Scout Founder's Day
National Doorbell Day
World Savings Day
Reformation Day