Betty and Cliff Still Making a Difference
Clifford & Betty Dannenfelser
Betty and Cliff Dannenfelser had always been strong supporters of the work of the Franciscans. After Betty’s death in 2011, (Cliff had passed away in 1999) the Franciscans learned of a hugely generous gift to continue our work among the poor and neglected. Because of Betty and Cliff’s generous trust, they are still making a difference in the lives of many people today, most recently in the Philippines.
By the grace of God, our missionaries in the Philippines survived Typhoon Haiyan, but tens of thousands lost everything they owned – and in many cases, everyone they loved. In November, Fr. Harold Geers, OFM wrote “We need help. Big help! We need all the help we can get, money to buy food, rice and some clothing. I am asking if the Province can send some immediate help. The agencies take several months as you know. For repairing buildings, we will apply to several agencies. It will be a long haul. YEARS! The Lord is the light in our darkness”.
The people of the Philippines needed help right away. They did not have time to allow us the luxury of creating the necessary changes to our web site or get a mailing together or come up with a strategy to raise funds.
A survivor cries as she tells her ordeal beside a ship that was washed ashore in Tacloban city, Leyte province central Philippines on Monday, Nov. 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Thanks to the Cliff and Betty Dannenfelser Trust, immediate help was sent to the Philippines and just as they have since 1956, the friars are working to support and sustain the people of the Philippines during this difficult and trying time.
St. Francis wrote that preparing a will is one of the first duties of a person living in the world. But leave it to St. Anthony to help you find a way to get it done. You can instantly access our basic introduction to estate planning in our clear and concise video series, Estate Planning Help. The series takes you through the pros and cons of probate, wills, living trusts, advance health care directives, and other basic estate planning tools. Or you can download a computer friendly version of our Estate Planning Organizer now. (To order a printed copy of the estate-planning organizer, call Colleen Cushard, at 513-721-4700 or ccushard@franciscan.org.)
Once you have met your obligations to yourself and those you love, consider remembering the Franciscan of St John the Baptist in your estate plans.
Posted in: Missions, Prayer, Saint Anthony
