NEWS
June 2011
Happy Birthday, Jurgen!
While many of us hide our age, Jurgen Hess felt like turning seventy was a reason to celebrate out loud. He wanted a party—a big party—to share this milestone with friends and family. For those who wished to bring a gift, he and his wife Susan suggested donating to the Susan and Jurgen Hess Family Environmental Fund instead.
Nine-year-old Jurgen
Jurgen's celebration on March 26th was filled with laughter, conversation and shared memories. Displayed photos showed Jurgen as a boy in Iowa, in his Navy uniform, clasping the hand of his bride, holding each of his two daughters. Photo after photo showed him enjoying the outdoors: hiking, skiing, rafting, canoeing and gardening.
The Susan and Jurgen Hess Family Environmental Fund will perpetuate Jurgen's passion for the outdoors by granting to those working to keep the Gorge beautiful and healthy.
It's not too late to wish Jurgen "Happy Birthday" by donating to the Hess Family Environmental Fund click here.
Your Donation Counts Twice
Do you ever feel like you cannot donate enough to make a difference? Not true and especially not now, when your $25 donation becomes $50 and your $50 donation becomes $100. The Lee and Karen Fairchild Fund is matching dollar for dollar all donations made to The Kids’ Fund. The Kids’ Fund was recently established with the Gorge Community Foundation in order to provide long term support for the Columbia Gorge Children's Advocacy Center.
The Children's Advocacy Center provides a kid friendly space to help children feel safe.
The CGCAC works diligently to minimize the trauma to child abuse victims, as well as prevent future abuse. Prior to the Center's opening in 2009, children who were possible victims of abuse were interviewed at the police station or at the child welfare office, sometimes more than once. If a medical exam was necessary, it had to be done in the emergency room or the child had to be taken to the nearest child abuse center in Portland or LaGrande. Now children can be evaluated locally at the Center in Hood River and receive help from a team of professionals, including medical doctors and trained counselors.
The Fairchilds understand that raising money can be a daunting task--no matter how good the cause. By matching each individual gift, their contribution goes further, and GCGAC's goal of a $10,000 endowment fund becomes possible. To donate and receive a matching gift click here. Designate your donation for The Kid's Fund.
September 2010
Joan Burchell Fund Grant Proposals Being Sought Now
The Gorge Community Foundation announced today that they are accepting grant applications from nonprofit agencies located or operating in the Columbia River Gorge area. The grants will be made from the Joan Burchell Fund, which was created through a bequest after her death in December of 2008.
Joan Burchell lived in the Parkdale area for the last 20 years of her life. After retiring from her job at Reader’s Digest in Chappaqua, N.Y., she traveled the country looking for a more rural area where she could hike, kayak and camp. She found the perfect fit in the community of Mt Hood.
According to friends, Burchell was something of a contradiction in terms. On one hand, she lived frugally in a 420 square foot cabin on five forested acres. She was loath to buy anything if she could make or repair it herself, which was almost anything, as she was inventive and mechanically clever. On the other hand, she had grown up as a ‘proper lady’ and delighted in sharing her love of opera, springing for first rate seats and an overnight stay in Portland. She was equally at home in an art gallery as she was camping in the desert.
Joan Burchell with friend Joyce Weseman
“Her spirit, humor, independence and interest in all things endeared her to many people,” says Joyce Weseman, a long-time friend. “Joan was a true example of living life on one’s own terms.”
With the creation of an endowment fund with the Gorge Community Foundation, Burchell continues to be part of the community she called home. Based upon her wishes, the Joan Burchell Fund will provide annual charitable grants where they are most needed. In this first funding cycle, the total amount available for granting is $9,200 and proposals will be accepted for any amount up to that total. Applicants must submit proposals by October 29, 2010. Complete grant guidelines are available for download from the Gorge Community Foundation website.
Children’s Enrichment Fund Opens Doors for Kids
“Teacher, I’m going to take dance lessons!” exclaimed an excited six year old. Her teacher could imagine this young girl as a dancer, but knew that her family did not have the money to spend on dance lessons.
“She had this notion it was going to happen for her,” says the benefactor of our newest donor advised fund. “But the reality is that it was not an option for her, and it is not an option for many of my students. It might be a dream, but it is not an option.”
Eric Pitones delights in rolling out clay
This interaction—which might have been seen as unremarkable by someone watching—was the catalyst for the teacher to create the Children’s Enrichment Fund. “My parents signed me up for oil painting and dance classes and I attended Broadway theatre,” continues the fund’s donor, who wishes to remain anonymous. “It makes me sad because I see the potential that my students have and it is mostly unrealized”.
The Children’s Enrichment Fund will provide funding to help children realize their untapped creative potential. According to the donor, finding the kids will be easy because teachers will nominate students based upon their personal knowledge. Teachers know about the quiet child sitting in the back row who can’t stop drawing. They know the kid who is fascinated by how things work and would blossom at OMSI Science Camp.
The fund’s creator points out that although the grants given each year will be relatively small, they can make a big difference in a child’s life. In the words of Deepak Chopra, “There is always a moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.”