Myrna Rose Strand believes you don’t have to leave your name on a building to leave a legacy.

"My estate will never be large enough to be able to build libraries, but it may be large enough to buy some books for a library," says the retired school teacher, who lives in Minneapolis. "Even if you’re not a Dayton or a Cargill, you can still give what you can."

"Since she was a small girl placing coins in the Sunday school offering envelope each week, Strand has always given generously of her money. Her gifts of time have been equally important. She has logged thousands of volunteer hours over the years at her church and with several health-related charities.

"I have always wanted the balance of my estate to go to charities," she says. "I believe in the idea that when you come into the world you come in with nothing, and you have an obligation to give back. You can’t take it with you."

Myrna’s mother always encouraged her to be sure to have an up-to-date will, she says. And as her interests and concerns have changed over the last 30 years, Strand has modified her will three times. With no children or grandchildren to inherit her money, she has chosen to make charitable gifts to organizations she supports now, including her alma mater.

Strand has also made other designations in her estate plan. "I have arranged it so that my brother will get an income from my estate," she says, "without it being penalized by taxes."