Pet cat Rosie left a lasting impression on her owner and continues to help other animals every day. When Sharon Lehrer passed away in 2014, her estate plan provided for the Rosie Lehrer Fund for Kootenai Humane Society. Named in honor of Sharon’s beloved cat and companion, the fund makes an annual distribution to Kootenai […]
Beloved cat inspires new fund to support Kootenai Humane Society Read More »
When Christie Querna completed her work on the Spokane School Board and the College Spark Foundation Board, she did not retire her passion for education. During her tenure on the Innovia Foundation Board of Directors, Innovia Foundation began work on an initiative in Spokane Public Schools to improve graduation rates. In 2014, when Christie completed
College Spark Foundation honors education advocate with fund for low-income families Read More »
Pat and Carol West met in high school in Phoenix, Arizona, and attended the University of Arizona in Tucson. Pat earned a degree in finance, and Carol worked at a newspaper to make ends meet. They settled in Spokane in 1965 to raise their three children, and both have supported the nonprofit sector in significant
Couple establishes charitable remainder trust to leave an altruistic legacy Read More »
Nine-year-old Olivia Chaffin was on her way to a school play on June 10, 2010, with her father and grandmother when a pizza delivery driver ignored a stop sign and struck the Chaffin car. Olivia’s father and grandmother survived the accident. Tragically, Olivia did not. Olivia’s mother Jennifer was at the school waiting for the
Parents establish fund to support Mead schools in memory of their daughter Read More »
Joel and Joy Moore have deep roots in Spokane. Joel’s grandfather August Paulsen was a Danish-American businessman who bought a stake in the Hercules mine in 1895. His resulting success led him to become one of Spokane’s leading philanthropists at the time. August is best known today for the Paulsen Building, which was erected in
“We are so blessed. It is a privilege to be able to give back to the community.” Read More »
Richard and Anita Molstead established an endowed fund at Innovia in memory of their son Eric, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 43. Eric, a 1980 graduate of Upper Columbia Academy in Spangle, Washington, died shortly after returning from his 25-year class reunion. An avid and accomplished pilot, Eric’s death was the
Pilot’s memorial fund provides scholarships for women studying math or science Read More »
Eric Johnson’s short life was filled with love and compassion for others. He had a profound effect on many people, including a homeless teenager he welcomed into his home and a Venezuelan family he helped while traveling in South America. After Eric died in 2007, at the young age of 25, his brother Cory and
“We wanted a tangible way to carry on Eric’s legacy of love and service.” Read More »
Commercial developer Duane Brelsford has many fond memories of his grade school years at Sunnyside Elementary in Pullman. The outdoor camp experience he shared with fifth-grade classmates at Camp Wooten near Pomeroy in 1968 was especially memorable, inspiring the fund he and his wife Terri established at Innovia Foundation. “The fifth-grade outdoor camp experience has
Pullman family supports outdoor camp programs for children Read More »
Raised on a farm in the Palouse countryside, Dennis Dowling knew his life calling early on. “Growing up on a farm is a way of life. I’ve never wanted to do anything else,” he said. “Our parents taught us to work hard and be honest. These values helped all seven children succeed.” Graduating from Rosalia
Dowling Bros. Scholarship Fund will benefit rural students for years to come Read More »
The Chase Youth Commission (CYC) is a voice for all youth in the greater Spokane region. Named after Spokane Mayor Jim Chase, CYC began in 1985 to find solutions to youth problems. Today, CYC advises the Spokane City Council and County Commissioners on youth issues, as well as pursuing its own agenda of programs and
“It is an investment in our most valuable resource – our youth.” Read More »
