Growing up on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, I learned the value of hard work at an early age. The youngest of four children in a small tight-knit community of less than 500 people, I saw firsthand the importance of forging your own path and standing up for what you believe and for others.
With the support of dedicated teachers and supportive family, I turned out to be an excellent student and high school built a solid foundation for my future and expanded my horizons. Doing well in school opened doors for me and I ended up being the first in my family to attend university.
Sheila Rogers, Member of Red Cross Legacy Circle.
In September 2017, I had the unique opportunity to work for the Canadian Red Cross for a full year. Working side by side with incredibly dedicated, passionate and caring fellow employees, this was the first workplace where I truly felt like I belonged. The people I worked with shared my values of caring for humanity, and I got to see this in action over and over again.
As a notable example, during the Fort McMurray fires, I witnessed the incredible impact of our work—not just for people, but also through coordinated partnerships to save their community’s beloved pets too.
Seeing my colleagues’ unwavering dedication to helping others in their darkest hours stirred something deep within me. I wanted to ensure that the same kind of lifelines that had been extended to me, in the form of mentorship and bursaries, would also be extended to future generations when disaster strikes. That’s why I decided to include the Canadian Red Cross in my Will.
The process was simpler, and more meaningful, than I expected. When I was told that even a small percentage of my estate could make a huge difference to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross in the future, I knew I wanted to give in this highly personalized way. My gift isn’t just about responding to emergencies—it’s about fostering hope, resilience, and humanity in a world that desperately needs it.
To anyone considering making a gift in their Will, I’d say: imagine the legacy you want to leave behind. For me, it’s knowing that long after I’m gone, the Red Cross will still be there, ready to help at a moment’s notice. It’s about creating a future where compassion knows no bounds.
By including the Red Cross in my Will, I’m not just leaving a gift—I’m making a promise that help will always be on the way.
Ready to explore how you can be part of the Canadian Red Cross story for generations to come? Visit Secure Your Legacy: Gift in Will to Canadian Red Cross.
With the support of dedicated teachers and supportive family, I turned out to be an excellent student and high school built a solid foundation for my future and expanded my horizons. Doing well in school opened doors for me and I ended up being the first in my family to attend university.
Sheila Rogers, Member of Red Cross Legacy Circle.
Over the years, there have been many mentors in my life who ultimately have helped to shape who I am through their influence on my values and life choices - particularly the importance of caring for fellow human beings and animals. Coupled with bursaries that made a post-secondary education possible, the trajectory of my life was enhanced.
Paying It Forward with a Legacy Gift
In September 2017, I had the unique opportunity to work for the Canadian Red Cross for a full year. Working side by side with incredibly dedicated, passionate and caring fellow employees, this was the first workplace where I truly felt like I belonged. The people I worked with shared my values of caring for humanity, and I got to see this in action over and over again. As a notable example, during the Fort McMurray fires, I witnessed the incredible impact of our work—not just for people, but also through coordinated partnerships to save their community’s beloved pets too.
Seeing my colleagues’ unwavering dedication to helping others in their darkest hours stirred something deep within me. I wanted to ensure that the same kind of lifelines that had been extended to me, in the form of mentorship and bursaries, would also be extended to future generations when disaster strikes. That’s why I decided to include the Canadian Red Cross in my Will.
The process was simpler, and more meaningful, than I expected. When I was told that even a small percentage of my estate could make a huge difference to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross in the future, I knew I wanted to give in this highly personalized way. My gift isn’t just about responding to emergencies—it’s about fostering hope, resilience, and humanity in a world that desperately needs it.
Why You Should Think About a Gift in Your Will
To anyone considering making a gift in their Will, I’d say: imagine the legacy you want to leave behind. For me, it’s knowing that long after I’m gone, the Red Cross will still be there, ready to help at a moment’s notice. It’s about creating a future where compassion knows no bounds. By including the Red Cross in my Will, I’m not just leaving a gift—I’m making a promise that help will always be on the way.
Ready to explore how you can be part of the Canadian Red Cross story for generations to come? Visit Secure Your Legacy: Gift in Will to Canadian Red Cross.
