Families of children with special needs often don’t realize that they should have estate planning done and may need other financial planning, as well.

Janis Strut and her family found out too late, after their daughter Morgan died. 

CEO of Morgan’s Caring Connection, Janis spoke to the Waunakee Rotary Club at its Aug. 20 meeting about the nonprofit that she founded. 

Morgan was born with special needs and passed away three years ago in 2023 prompting Janis to begin the nonprofit. She quit her job and embarked on the endeavor full time. The mission is to empower families, secure their financial future, and provide peace of mind. 

Janis and her family had not saved for a funeral or done other planning, and they hoped to provide relief for other families. In their own estate planning, they thought only about what would happen if they passed away, not their daughter’s funeral costs or time off work for bereavement. 

They began applying for grants and raising funds to award to families so they could have the necessary legal planning done. 

Morgan’s Caring Connection provides more than funding. It also has a network of attorneys, bank associates, and other service providers who can help families. 

In just two years, the organization has awarded approximately 50 grants of about $3,500 to help families across the state of Wisconsin with that legal planning. It provides other resources, too, including monthly webinars in different topics such as guardianship, tax planning and other matters. 

“This is all the stuff that our families have to be on top of, and it’s constantly changing,” Janis said. 

Morgan’s Caring Connection is always looking for volunteers and has a number of fundraising events. For information, visit morgnscc.org.

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Coming Up

Sept. 6: Badgers vs. Notre Dame watch party at the Lamphouse rooftop. Game time at 6:30 p.m. 

Sept. 11-14: Wauktoberfest. 

Sept. 18: WNC Harvest of Hope Gala with barbecue brisket, live blues and dancing. 

Sept. 23: Chamber Golf Classic

Oct. 11: Food for Kidz

Nov. 22-Jan. 1: Rotary Lights

Greeters: Aug. 27, David Rupp and ??; Sept. 3, Veronica Castillo and Todd Smrcina; Sept. 10, Alex Welk and Judith Stucki. 

To sign up to greet or to find out when you are greeting, visit: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/