Kirk Woundy

Connecting People of All Ages Kirk Woundy

How do you transfer values? What about knowledge? Or traits that will help others enjoy future success? In the late 1990s, questions like these were on the mind of Sandy Kraemer, a prominent Colorado-based attorney. With a specialty in estate planning, he had helped countless people decipher how to pass along property, money and other forms of wealth to younger generations. But, he says, "as I spent time listening to families, I realized the most important transfers were intangible." Motivated by this realization - and a desire to help people more deliberately transfer these intangibles - Sandy created a nonprofit organization that would come to be known as the Intergeneration Foundation. Twenty years later, much of the foundation's work is captured in Connecting People of All Ages: Founding Intergeneration Day, Intergeneration Month, and Much More. The book is divided into four main sections. Section I covers the history of the foundation - to include its creation of Intergeneration Day, and the day's evolution into Intergeneration Month. Recognized by 43 U. S. governors, the celebration encourages people to reach across generations in the spirit of learning from and caring for one another. Section II features short personal interviews with foundation trustees, professional and business leaders including A. Marvin Strait and Ron Marold, Dr. Sara Qualls, the Rev. John Stevens, and many more. Section III pulls together entries from the foundation's annual storytelling contest. The writers represent various states, countries and, of course, ages, ranging from teen to senior citizen. Finally, Section IV looks ahead. It is highlighted by an interview with Andrea J. Fonte Weaver, leader of the Massachusetts-based organization now entrusted with carrying out the Intergeneration Month vision. The section also includes a list of resources for those interested in doing exactly what the book's title suggests. Connecting People of All Ages wraps up with a postscript from Sandy himself. Those wanting to establish stronger bonds between generations - no matter what the forum - will find inspiration in his words, and in many pages of this book. Note: All royalties from the sale of this book are payable to Intergeneration Foundation, an IRS 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to connecting people across generations.