This month the Homer Foundation has turned 30 years old. For those of us
who remember the 60s, yeah, well, we’ve learned the truth. You actually
can trust those over 30.
Recently, I took on a project to collect some of the best pictures of the
Foundation’s last 30 years. As I sorted through hundreds of photos, I
became seriously overwhelmed – in a good way. Tears came to my eyes
seeing the incredible reach this organization has had in the lives of so
many of our neighbors. Here are just a few highlights:
High school girls traveling to India or Russia with experiences that have
changed their lives. Graduates off to college with scholarships leading to
amazing careers. Young kids learn to play the violin, not just for music
education but for the compounding benefit it has on developing brains.
Food and emergency support for those in desperate need. And then there
are physical manifestations of community in building the Karen Hornaday
Park Playground, the Homer Public Library, and the Boathouse Pavillion.
Oh, and there is so much more. Look around the efforts toward the new
Kachemak City playground, the skateboard park, music events, recreation,
conservation; little ones helped by Sprout, families by the Anchor Point
Food Bank, and elders supported by Hospice.
Yet, the Foundation didn’t initiate or carry out these projects. Our
community service groups did. Our neighbors did. Our nonprofit
organizations did. Very possibly you did.
You see, the Homer Foundation provides a place where we all can come
together to share our appreciation for this wonderful place we live. It is a
place where your generosity grows into a fund for the future. Then, as
funds are needed, when they can do the most good, requests are vetted
by our community grants committee and amazing things happen.
The Foundation’s trustees set a really big goal a few years ago. We want to
build our Vanguard managed funds to $20 million so that we can return
hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to make a significant and
positive difference in our quality of life here on the Southern Kenai
Peninsula. You, your friends and neighbors, give what you can so great
ideas can find seed money. So our nonprofits can not only have a source
of quick support but they can spend more time doing the work for which
they were created and less time fundraising. So groups from Ninilchik to
Nanwalek with a valuable idea can turn them into reality.
If you are already an occasional donor to the Homer Foundation, thank
you. If you are a monthly or annual donor, thank you twice. If you have
included us in your legacy estate planning, thank you thrice!
If you want to join in the great satisfaction of knowing that your generosity
is truly making our home a better place, accept our 30th Anniversary
Challenge. The goal is to add 300 new donors at $30 or more in our 30th
year. Just go to www.homerfoundation.org or call or come by the office.
We’ll thank you 30 times over!
Let’s celebrate!

Liz Downing

Liz is a member of the Homer Foundation Board of Trustees