Reflections of 2014

Marcia Liebich’s definition of a philanthropist is this ~ “A philanthropist is someone who gives away something – time, money, skills, and access to personal networks – in order to create a better world.” To those of us who embrace WRWCF, we are in the process of finding a path toward understanding others and giving back those very important “somethings”. We integrate a particular way of seeing the world around us along with living in this wonderful community. To begin our journey, we first become educated to the needs in our community. Then we become action oriented and initiate participation in many areas of philanthropy.

Here are personal reflections on how philanthropy has enhanced the lives of three women from WRWCF as they speak about their personal involvement with philanthropy and with WRWCF:

Marcia Liebich – Founding Member of WRWCF, Past President

Janet DeBard with Marcia Liebich

These are two of Marcia Liebich’s favorite sayings:

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not!” Quote by Dr. Seuss

“Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Quote by Margaret Mead

For me, philanthropy is an investment in which lives, not monetary profits, are at stake. There is a big difference between charity and philanthropy. Philanthropy requires us to be engaged. My involvement in philanthropy most likely began when I went to Elmira College, a small liberal arts women’s college in New York where we had a required community service component. My parents did not have a lot of money, but my Dad was a college professor and was President of the school board. My mother volunteered. I was active on campus. Later, as a college trustee for 20 years, our first major gift was the funding of a state of the art classroom named for us. As our capacity grew, our interests grew. When Don’s father retired from Sysco, we started a college scholarship fund for a child of an employee of SYSCO in NY in his honor. We both believe that much is expected from those who have been blessed with resources.

Peggy Goldwyn – Grants Co-Chair

Peggy Goldwyn

The 2015 Grants cycle is the third year I have been co-chair of the Grants committee.  I volunteered for Grants right after I joined The Wood River Women’s Charitable Committee five years ago, which was about the time I moved to the Wood River Valley permanently.  Meeting the other women on my committee and learning about all the wonderful organizations who submitted Letters of Inquiry did more than anything else to make me feel part of the community.  The following year, I co-chaired a sub-committee and my circle of friends and knowledge about the non-profits who matter so much to us widened, as did my conviction that I had made the right choice in moving to Blaine County. I’ve discovered it isn’t necessary to make the time commitment I have chosen in order to reap the benefits of being a part of the Wood River Women’s Charitable Foundation. At any level of participation, it is possible to learn the needs of the Valley and make a real contribution.

Kat Vanden Heuvel – New Member