Newsletter | Christmas 2008

HTT Salutes you

We often meet great people who do special things that make a difference. We think this one's really special.

Mother Seraphina has been a religious sister for eight years.  She is currently the "Community Servant" of the Franciscan Daughters of Mary.  She and the three other sisters of her order, along with several volunteers, operate a mission in Covington.  The mission was started to give help to young pregnant women, but it was soon expanded to include all people who need help.

Mother Seraphina said the order was "Founded to uphold the dignity of all human life from the moment of conception until natural death, in the spirit of St Francis of Assisi."

She said the mission gets a lot of help from St Vincent De Paul Society and other organizations, and they also rely heavily on God to provide what they need.  She told us several stories that call to mind the loaves and fishes.  One day they received a donation of enough food to feed 385 families—that day they distributed food for 423, the next day they passed out food for 209 more, and the following Monday they still gave out food for 143 more.  Before Thanksgiving they distribute turkeys and fixin’s to needy families.  Last year at Christmas, more than 350 children were given toys by the sisters.

Mother Seraphina and the sisters of her order counsel young women about making good choices. They provide free pregnancy testing and prenatal vitamins throughout the pregnancy.  In the eighth month they give the mother a "New Baby Welcome Basket."  They work with 300 to 600 women per day. Thanks to Mother Seraphina and her group, the women have a chance to experience a loving environment.

Mother Seraphina, HTT salutes you.

In this wonderful season of Christmas you may wish to send a special gift to:

Mother Seraphina — The Franciscan Daughters of Mary
336 East 16th St,
Covington, KY 41014-1304

Welcome Some New Faces to HTT

In the past several months, we have added some new people to our team roster.

Gina Harris

Gina is our newest Customer Service Representative.  She works at Fox Insurance, our division in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. If she looks familiar, it’s because she is!  Gina was with Fox Insurance from 2001 until 2002, when she moved to Utah.  Several years ago she moved back to Indiana and has rejoined us this past June.  Gina can help you make changes to your insurance policy.  She lives in Aurora with her daughter, MacKenzie.

Nathan Atkinson

Our newest insurance agent, Nathan, lives in Delhi.  He graduated from Oak Hills High School and the University of Cincinnati.  Educated in law, Nathan comes to us very highly recommended.  He started in the insurance industry as a Customer Service Representative and later decided he would like to become an insurance sales agent. Nathan can help you select a policy to protect your home, auto or business. On a personal note, Nathan loves to visit Putin Bay and is an avid bowler.  He has a 200 average in his Friday night league.

Sarah Curran

The youngest of three girls, Sarah grew up in Indiana and graduated from East Central High School in St. Leon.  She comes to us with a background in the financial industry. Sarah is our new receptionist and we’re happy to have her on the team.  She currently lives in Cleves with her sister, Amy, their dog Claire, and cat Rascal.

Westfield Insurance offers premium discounts in many states for burglary alarm systems. Check with your independent agent for details.

Source: Westfield Insurance

Gifting to Children - A More Sensible Christmas Gift

By Russ Brown

The author is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation, member SIPC.  He partners with HTT Agency located at 5879 Cheviot Road, Cincinnati OH  45247,  513-741-2100.

Today, there are a number of ways to save for higher education.  Parents can take advantage of pre-paid college plans, Section 529 plans and Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts (formally the Education  IRAs) to name a few.  All of these plans have both strengths and weaknesses.

Custodial Accounts also have strengths and weaknesses. Unlike the Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts and Section 529 Plans, money can be withdrawn without a 10 percent penalty when the distribution is not used for higher education.  Therefore, if you are not sure if the funds will be used for college, the custodial account may be an attractive option for gifting to a minor.  The Uniform Gifts to minors Act is adopted by states but often they adopt them in principle with a series of amendments that make them particular to their state.  So depending on where you live, particulars such as age of majority and the instruments that a UGMA/UTMA can hold will vary.  The original law (UGMA) was adopted in 1956 to provide a way to make gifts of money and securities to minors without the need to formally establish a trust.  In 1986 the Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UTMA) was introduced to expand the types of property eligible to transfer to a minor.

For the tax year 2008, IRS regulations allow an irrevocable gift of up to $12,000 to a minor with no gift tax consequences to the donor. Custodial Accounts provide a way for a minor to own assets without involving an attorney to set up a formal trust. The terms of the UGMA/UTMA are set in a statue not in actual trust agreements.

Most financial experts agree that one of the most important steps when planning to send children to college is to prepare early!  There are many types of college funding vehicles that can be utilized to help send children to college.  A financial professional can help you develop a disciplined approach to savings for college costs.  Together, you can determine which college-funding vehicle will work best for your family.

This article is not intended to provide tax advice.  Be sure to consult your tax professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation
One Granite Place Concord, NH 03301
800-258-3648

If you need more information, call Mickey Ohmer or Russ Brown at 741-2100.

The information in this newsletter is meant as a guideline only. There is nothing in this newsletter that alters the coverage or interpretation of any specific policy. Because some statements are generalizations, and because different companies’ policies contain light differences, please refer to your specific policy. Call our office before making any judgments or decisions concerning your particular situation and the coverage that may, or may not, apply.

Hurricane of September 14, 2008

By Linda Hoffmann, CISR

We have all endured one of the worst storms in recent history on September 14, 2008.  Our agency went in to action on September 15 with no power as many of you experienced.  Even with the lack of power we were able to help you, our clients, get to the claim department at the companies we represent.  We did this by candlelight!  We are very proud of the way our agency came through with somewhat primitive conditions.  We even managed to percolate coffee outside on a makeshift grill!

We are sure many of you can share horrifying experiences during the storm.  The main concern of our agency is that you are all safe and that we as an agency help you take care of so many inconveniences.  A lot of you lost refrigerated items as well as freezer items due to the extended power outages.  There were hundreds of trees that damaged homes, cars, and property.

The companies that we represent did a tremendous job of handling the over abundance of claims.  Their claim service has been extremely efficient even with the thousands of claims they have processed.

This is a time to evaluate coverage on your home policy. Do I have tree removal, debris removal, food spoilage coverage, all the coverage that so many of you needed during the most recent storm? Call our agency, we will be happy to check your policy and make sure you have the sufficient coverages you need if we ever get a storm like September 14 again. We are just a phone call away, (513) 741-2100.

Back to Top