West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona
Oct 22, 2024, 4:22 PM | Updated: Nov 1, 2024, 9:33 am
KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.
Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona has personal connection for Morris Hall
West Hunsaker, an attorney and partner at Morris Hall, has a long history with the foundation.
“My story with Make-A-Wish started with my oldest daughter and her best friend since they were 4 years old,” Hunsaker KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Tuesday.
During the girls’ sophomore year in high school, his daughter’s best friend was diagnosed with Stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
“I distinctly remember going to the Phoenix Children’s hospital that night and hearing the words from her father,” Hunsaker said. “He was just told that his daughter only had 18 months to live.”
It was a somber, life-changing moment. Hunsaker felt like there was nothing he could do.
“I literally looked through an old phone book and called Make-A-Wish and begged them to let me help,” Hunsaker said.
Since then, he’s been supporting the foundation. During his time donating to Make-A-Wish Arizona, he’s seen children make all sorts of wishes.
“Some of the funniest ones I’ve seen are the wish to go to a pickle factory,” Hunsaker said.
Another wish he helped fulfill was humbling.
“I was a wish granter for a little boy in Surprise,” Hunsaker said. “I was shocked when his wish was go to spend the day at Arrowhead Mall.”
He had expected a grandiose wish like a trip to Disneyland. But the boy had only been to the mall once in his life and wanted another trip.
Hunsaker describes himself as the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s No. 1 fan.
“I think I’m the chief fanboy of Make-A-Wish,” Hunsaker said.
Anyone interested in supporting Make-A-Wish through Morris Hall can do so online.
How does charitable giving in general come into play with estate planning?
While donations can be made now, people can also plan for after they’ve died.
One way that can be done is through a donor-advised fund (DAF), which allows yo to get a charitable deduction today and make contributions to charities over time.
Another way that can be done is through a charitable trust, such as a charitable remainder trust or charitable lead trust.
“You also can include it as part of your will or your trust to leave a legacy to charities that are meaningful to you and your family,” Hunsaker said.
“And often, more and more, I’m seeing clients that want to leave more than money to their children, they want to leave a legacy and an example.”
For a complimentary consultation call the Morris Hall office at 888-222-1328 or visit online.