Jack and Meredith Wilson live on the eastern side of the state where rugged mountain peaks jut against big sky. It is a vast and diverse landscape that provides its inhabitants unique opportunities. At least, that is the way Jack and Meredith Wilson see it.
The Wilsons became acquainted with The Oregon Community Foundation through its Northeast Oregon Heritage Fund.
“While working on the committee, I realized that OCF wanted to reach all over Oregon,” Jack says. “OCF is everywhere in Oregon. This impressed me.”
"So often there is an information gap between western and eastern Oregon,” Meredith explains. “Sometimes communication just doesn’t make it over the Cascades.”
“It’s true,” Jack says. “The differences in need can be hard to comprehend depending on where you live.”
The Wilsons believe OCF can bridge the east/west information gap. They have seen first-hand how OCF helps to build up communities across the state. “OCF encourages us to be part of the fund advising process,” Jack says. “We really appreciate this type of hands-on approach.”
Meredith agrees. “We are able to be part of what we believe in, such as furthering youth opportunities, education and medicine. We were fortunate to set up The Wilson Family Fund with OCF.”
For the Wilsons, the best part of working with OCF is seeing the way their family fund keeps working, year after year. “OCF knows how to manage money,” Jack says. “We are grateful to work with people like Greg Chaillé whom we trust and respect. This has been our experience with OCF, participating in something great, surrounded by great people.”
Beyond helping the Wilsons to focus on their particular interests, OCF has given them the opportunity to work directly with their community. “There is plenty of need everywhere,” Jack says. “We understand that. But in our small way we wanted to help northeastern Oregon.”