With the help of her trusted attorney, Sandra set up a series of trusts that would ensure the wealth she had stumbled upon would serve a greater purpose—a purpose beyond material indulgence. Jake, for his part, would find his college education fully funded, his debts erased, and a nest egg waiting for him when he turned twenty-five. But more than that, Sandra wanted to instill in him the values she had seen reflected in his actions: empathy, generosity, and the instinct to help without expectation.

For her children, the message would come more subtly. Sandra envisioned her estate being used to fund scholarships, particularly for single parents juggling work and family, much like she had done all those years ago. She would establish community centers and support groups, offering resources that she wished had been available to her when she needed them most. Her children, she hoped, might one day see these gifts as opportunities to reconnect with their own humanity.