Manning and Virginia Rowan Smith, with the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC), have announced a public challenge to raise $300,000 by Thanksgiving. This challenge is to encourage those who support the protection of Lake George to join LGLC’s Land and Water Society.

The Land and Water Society is the LGLC’s legacy society and celebrates those who choose to include the LGLC in their estate planning. You can include them through a bequest, or by naming the LGLC as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy or retirement fund, or through many other options that are available.

From now until Dec. 31, the Smiths will donate $5,000 to the LGLC for every new legacy pledge received, regardless of method, amount, or designation. If you wish to include a specific amount of money with your pledge which exceeds $5,000, the Smiths will match that donation up to a total of $300,000.

The details of your pledge may be kept anonymous if you choose, and upon receipt your gift will be used however you desire. The Smiths’ match will be added to the Virginia Rowan Smith Endowment, which helps the LGLC with both current and future projects.

To be included in the challenge, you must submit your pledge by Nov. 26, 2020. Your pledge may be made online, with LGLC’s confidential pledge form, or by downloading a paper copy and mailing it to the LGLC. These options and more information are available at lglc.org/land-and-water-society.

Questions and comments may be directed to Helen Barton Benedict, LGLC’s development manager, at 518-644-9673 or hbartonbenedict@lglc.org.