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Helen Jewett did not like telling her age, and no wonder. She was like this endless bright, incandescent Fall season, giving us day after day of bright sparkling, invigorating display. Not at all like any almost-94-year-old we have ever known.

She was a big part of our lives at the Memorial Foundation. She was more of a partner than donor, full of ideas and interests, eager to receive good and frequent reports on her investments. She was a frequent visitor, dropping by to drop off a book, ask a question, or just sit and visit. There weren’t very many projects here though the years she was not involved in.

Helen first became interested in Childrens Miracle Network and answered phones in the first Telethon 17 years ago. She was an early supporter of Passport to Health, one of the original donors to Childrens Village, having a full and early grasp of the significance and scale of the project. She became interested in the development of the North Star Lodge, and funded what she called “the Bridge of Tranquility” which connects radiation oncolgy to medical oncology.

She was a passionate part of the bi annual Follies, loving to have everyone come together and have such fun. She was always enthused that so many people got up on the stage, and involved. She gave special support to the first fete held at the Congdon “Castle” and delighted in the vintage cars that brought everyone down the long romantic drive to the party. She then played “Derby Queen’ at the Florence Wight Derby party in 2007.

And finally she was adamant that Yakima have a Hospice Facility. Husband Walt died on a weekend in a nursing home and she vowed that that should “not happen to anyone” She made the remarkable founding gift that enable us to “get started” on building a tranquil place for people to spend their last days, and their families to be with them in comfort. This was a project that captured her heart. I promise Helen, we will seet his through.

Most of all she was a beloved friend, a beautiful big sister to her little sister Betty, and an angel to the needs of this community. I will find it difficult to not have her to check in with, to see if I am on course, to see her smile.

What does it mean?  Philanthropy?

Tracing back to the origin of this “word” to early 1600′s, in Greek, the meaning:  Love for mankind. 

Such a lengthy word for such a simple philosophy.

To quote another – “Love is the force that makes us fully human.”  So, to be fully human we must love… and, to love humankind fully we must then be philanthropic… 

Generosity in its finest form…  We must encourage philanthropic behavior at all levels…  each of us giving of ourselves, each in different ways with our strengths whether time or money or resources or sharing.

A demonstration of the pure philosophy of philanthropy…  to love altruistically for the greater good, for a better community, to help others in need, creating mutual respect allowing each of us to truly care for each other.

Alice Macias, 10/25/08, dedicated to Helen Jewett (1914 – 2008)

“You know. the economy” Are you scared no one will give?” they say.

I don’t tell them the truth. That I am always scared, that I have been scared every day. That people give each and every day is my amazement. it is my surprise every day. Every gift gives me wonderment, and now, when times are bad, even more so.

These are GIFTS. freely given. This is where my “scared’ turns to “sacred”.  Each sacerd gift adds up to create community accomplishments like Children’s Village. Last week many hundreds of thousands of dollars came in. Contributions from Don and Kathy Moen, Jack and Connie Bloxom, Independent Foods, the Dolsen family, Rich and Ann Speigel, Joe and Connie Farina to name a few.

As long as there are people like these in the world I’m not scared.

We said the number. It was a big number.

Pause. Silence. “Well, as it happens, that is our number. We had thought about this for a long time and that is the amount we had agreed before we came here today. It is what we can do. it is what we want to do.”

The room was hushed with awe. To be in the presence of such generosity. Compassion. Selflessness.

Thank you Marv and Pat Sundquist. You ARE greatness.

Give Today: (509) 576 5794

Answering the Call to Greatness are:

Leadership Gifts
Ruth E. File,
James and Janice Haven,
Royal and Kay Keith,
Frank and Janet LeCocq Family,
Peggy M. Lewis,
Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees,
Marvin and Pat Sundquist,
Patricia Temple,
Tree Top, Inc.,
Western Materials, Inc.,
Bill Wheeler

Other Community Gifts
Children’s Village Employees Group,
Marietta Clements,
Connaughton Law Office,
Girls Scouts Mid-Columbia Council,
Michael and Jane Schwab.

Put simply, lives that could be changed today, and who’s greatest hope for success lie in swift intervention, are being threatened.

Children’s Village sits, eyes and arms wide open, believing in the magic of each day, the ability to spark laughter and the expertise to restore hope.

Running, storytelling, questing and dreaming, they are routine in the Children’s Village experience, with your help, the purpose of this organization can be realized to its fullest and most miraculous potential.

Join the campaign to expand Children’s Village today.