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Show Volume III, Issue III THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 3 December 1, 2000 The Dr. W. C. Swanson Family Foundation The Swanson Foundation was formed by Dr. Walter C. Swanson as a charitable trust in December 1977, with the help of his wife Beryl; his son Chuck; and his stepdaughter Annabel. At that time, Lew Costley was appointed Trustee; he continues as the Foundation’s Chief Financial Officer. Dr. Swanson has been described as “an astute businessman, a thoughtful benefactor, and a sensitive family man.” Further, he was a man who cared deeply about the health, welfare and education of his fellowman. In 1998, the Foundation was incorporated as the Dr. W. C. Swanson Family Foundation, a non-profit corporation under the laws of the state of Utah, and is currently governed by its Members. The Board of Directors and an Advisory Board, consisting of up to eight individuals, serve at the pleasure of the Members—W. Charles Swanson, Chairman and CEO; Annabel Hofer, Executive Vice President and Academic Programs Manager; and Lew Costley, CFO. The Board of Directors is composed of the Members and Robert Marquardt and Michael Fosmark. The Advisory Board is currently composed of Cindy Guthrie, Foundation President; Kim Dohrer; Marlin K. Jensen; Marcy Korgenski; Carolyn Nebeker; and Julie Snowball. Purpose The stated purpose of the Foundation is “for religious, charitable, literary, scientific or educational purposes, of for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.” This direction has changed little over the years. Although the Foundation’s purpose remains the same, the scope of its mission has broadened to include medical research and public information through the use of film and mass media. History Dr. Swanson was a lifetime Utah resident. Born in Harrisville, Utah, he attended Weber Academy (Weber State) until his acceptance to the Illinois College of Chiropody and Foot Surgery (School College of Podiatric Medicine) in the early 1920s. Upon graduation, he returned to Ogden and started his podiatry practice in 1926. As the practice grew, he opened Swanson Shoes—a shoe store from which he practiced until 1968. During his active practice years, Dr. Swanson sponsored more than 150 crippled children to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in Salt Lake City, Utah. Swanson family, making six or eight grants a year totaling about $15,000 annually. The grants supported the Ogden-Weber School District programs, including handwriting and Shakespearean performances, as well as the Weber School District Environmental Center in Ogden Valley (North Fork). In June of 1990, Dr. Swanson died, leaving the greater portion of his wealth to this Foundation. At that time Chuck Swanson assumed the duties of Chairman of the Foundation. After his death, Dr. Swanson’s wife, Beryl, assumed a more active role as a board member until her death in 1995. Her daughter, Annabel Hofer, joined her on the board in 1991. Grantmaking Since 1990, the foundation, under the direction of Mr. Swanson, has made nearly 1,200 grants, totaling over $14 million through 1999. On average, the Foundation makes about 200 grants annually. During 1999, the Foundation made 203 grants, totaling $2,014,400. The Foundation takes a pro-active approach to grant-making. It is the view of the Chairman, the Members, and the Boards that the Foundation should be a part of its community, identifying needs and taking the necessary steps to help resolve the problems. To this end, in 1995 the Foundation began its own publication, The Agenda, a quarterly newsletter that is distributed to grant-makers in Utah as a means of addressing current needs, i.e., federal funding cut-backs, legislative decisions affecting non-profits, and the like. Internal Programs The Foundation has several internal programs that it supports: Summer Program: The Foundation implemented its own summer program in 1995 for at-risk children in Weber County. During the summers since, tickets have been provided to over 500 children each summer participating in structured programs such as the YCC, the Migrant Workers’ Program, the Marshall White Center, among others, to attend specially designed programs created by the Ogden Nature Center, the Eccles’ Dinosaur Park, and the Treehouse Children’s Museum. This project continues to evolve to include other components. School Warehouse: This program provides aid to families in the acquisition of school supplies, clothing, personal hygiene products, and other items before and during the school year. This program was partially in place for the beginning of the 1996-97 During the 1970s and 1980s, the foundation was operated solely by the FOUNDATION cont. on page 7 I T ’ S H E R E ! ! ! Ogden Valley CERT Team Receives Equipment According to Chuck Millet, Team Leader of the Ogden Valley CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), the Valley has received a donation from the Dr. W.C. Swanson Family Foundation. The donation, valued at over $5,000, consists of emergency medical supplies and rescue equipment for use in the Ogden Valley in the event of a major disaster such as a flood, earthquake or other incident or disaster. Millet states that Ogden Valley residents may have to stand on their own during and/or immediately after any major catastrophic event. If available, emergency services personnel are the best trained and equipped to handle emergencies. However, following a catastrophic disaster, the community may be on their own for a period of time because of the size and location of the area affected, lost communications, and impassable roads. CERT training is designed to prepare you to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors in the event of a catastrophic disaster. Because emergency services personnel will not be able to help everyone immediately, you can make a difference by using CERT training to save lives and protect property. CERT training covers basic skills that are important to know in a disaster when emergency services are not available. You will want to help. With training and practice and by working as a team, you will be able to do the greatest good for the greatest number after a disaster strikes, while protecting yourself from becoming a victim. Currently the Ogden Valley CERT Team has over 50 trained members and meets every third Thursday at the Weber County Library in Huntsville. A new CERT Training Class will begin on Thursday, January 4, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. at Snowcrest Jr. High in Eden. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. To register for the training call Linda Spencer at 745-0805. EDEN PARK needs your new or unused holiday lights to decorate the park this year. Anyone who would like to make a donation, please call Flint Guthrie 745-1389 OGDEN SYMPHONY BALLET ASSOCIATION And RAINBOW GARDENS Invitee you to a Holiday Happening 10 Deccembber 2000 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. RAINBOW GARDENS Door Prizes - Special Discounts Gift Wrapping - New Merchandise Coupon Savings - Holiday Beverages and Munchies PREMIUM DOG & CAT FOODS All Black Gold Products 100% Guaranteed and Vet Approved! Black Gold has been thoroughly tested on all types of dogs and has been proven to be highly effective for appearance enhancement, improved conditioning and excellent stool control. It has 92 % digestibility +/- 1%. You provide the Training, Home and Love, let BLACK GOLD provide the Nutrition. FOR HOME DELIVERY CALL MIKE @ 745-3312 $20 TO $22 PER 50 LBS. Donation $10.00 Tickkets availlablle at OSSBA Officee 638 East 28thh Streeet - 399-99214 and Rainbow Gardeens Admission by ticket only- |