Honouring Helen’s Legacy of Stewardship
HAT and Helen first built a relationship in the early 2000s. From the beginning, it was clear that Helen cared deeply about the lands and creatures that make this region so unique. Helen became an avid HAT supporter and a passionate voice for wildlife and local ecosystems. She was especially committed to protecting local species at risk and their habitats—a commitment that overflowed into her home, where she cultivated a lively backyard oasis where birds, insects, fish, and other critters could thrive.
Over the years, Helen gave generously to HAT: her time, her voice, her presence, and her financial support. She attended events, supported our campaigns, and consistently reminded us why the work matters. Beyond her contributions, Helen was simply a remarkable individual. Even in her late nineties, she could often be found tending to her garden, with HAT staff occasionally stopping by to lend a hand.
In 2009, Helen made a profound decision: she decided to leave a legacy gift with HAT through a life estate. For those unfamiliar, a life estate is a form of legacy giving wherein an individual donates their property to a charity while retaining rights to live in the home for the rest of their life. This arrangement allows for the transfer of ownership to happen before passing and enables the donor to receive full tax benefits during their lifetime.
Helen passed away in December 2024 at the age of 98. Though we mourn her loss, her legacy continues to shine brightly. True to her wishes, her home, beloved backyard oasis and all, became HAT’s property upon her passing. In the months that followed, HAT’s Executive Director, Kevin Smith, devoted time and care to preparing the house for sale, putting in elbow grease and attention to detail to honour Helen’s hopes for her gift.
The proceeds from Helen’s home have now been set aside to support HAT’s mission long-term. Her generosity will be felt for decades across all of our programs—Wildlife, Land Protection, Good Neighbours, and beyond. The ecological impact of her gift, and the stability it offers our organization, is beyond measure. Through this act, Helen ensured that the species and ecosystems she cared so deeply about will continue to be protected long into the future.
Helen’s legacy is a powerful reminder of the impact that thoughtful legacy giving can have. With care, intention, and a deep love for place, Helen transformed her personal values and her humble, cherished home into lasting protection for the natural world. Her gift stands as an enduring testament to what one person can accomplish when they choose to give forward.
If Helen’s story inspires you, we invite you to consider how your own legacy could help safeguard the lands, waters, and wildlife you love. Legacy gifts, big and small, create lasting change and provide critical stability for HAT’s work.
To learn more about including HAT in your will or exploring options like life estates, life insurance, or giving investments, please reach out to me at shania@hat.bc.ca and I would be happy to discuss options available and point you toward the resources needed. Your legacy can help ensure that future generations inherit a thriving, resilient natural world.