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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2018)
A14 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 2018 FROM A1 FOUNDATION Continued from Page A1 wants to give some of it back. In his line of work he frequently speaks with peo- ple who feel the same but aren’t quite sure where they want to donate or bequeath their money, and out of those conversations the idea for the foundation was born. Barnett said while there are many ways Hermis- ton-area residents can give, they are frequently limited to a specific focus — the Hermiston Education Foun- dation gives school-related grants, for example, while the Good Shepherd Com- munity Health Foundation zeroes in on wellness. The Greater Hermiston Com- munity Foundation will be “wide open” in the grants it gives. While someone can make a one-time donation to a nonprofit or service club of their choice, Barnett said the endowment format will allow donations to gener- ate interest to be used in perpetuity. “That’s really what we want to tap into, is people who understand that,” he said. “For people to know that the funds are going to be there forever. It’s not just ‘Here’s $5,000, go party or build something,’ it’s ‘Here’s $5,000, it’s going to be there forever and give and give.” Greg Juul, board presi- dent, said they named it the “Greater” Hermiston Com- munity Foundation because they are open to giving to projects in surrounding communities such as Uma- tilla and Echo. “Our employee base is fairly broad,” he said. “They’re hard-working, giv- ing people and there is no reason we wouldn’t want to STAFF PHOTO BY JADE MCDOWELL From top left, clockwise: Bricks at the Hermiston Public Library display the names of donors. • A wall at Kennison Field in Hermiston shows donors. • A fence around the Funland playground at Butte Park lists donors. • Bricks at McKenzie Park in Hermiston show the names of donors. give back to them too.” The Greater Hermis- ton Community Foundation was established with a goal of having $200,000 for at least a year before starting to give grants, and after just a few presentations to ser- vice clubs Barnett said they are already halfway to their goal. He estimated the foun- dation could be able to give its first grant in about 18 months. Barnett said after a few initial presentations to get the word out and some talks with local attorneys and accountants, the founda- tion is not going to push for donations with fundraising drives or solicitation calls. “We’re never going to be aggressive,” he said. “Our style is going to be more ‘We’re here if you’re interested.’” The foundation’s seven founding members aren’t worried about people being willing to donate. Barnett, Rivera and Juul described Hermiston as the most giv- ing community they’ve ever encountered. The evidence, they said, is everywhere. The com- munity raised over $2 mil- lion for the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center in less than a year, and $1.2 million for Kennison Field in six months. Names of donors can be found on the Funland playground at Butte Park, the Hermiston Public Library, the Hermis- ton Community Center and other places around town. A search for “Hermis- ton” on guidestar.org, which compiles 990 tax forms from nonprofits, returns 134 nonprofits that together col- lected millions of dollars in 2017. There are also spon- sorships of Little League teams, fundraiser banquets for community members in need, events like Festival of HOZI BTW it, he would try his luck and also apply to the prestigious Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. “I got the news about George Fox first,” he said, and with an offer to attend the school on a full scholar- ship, it initially seemed like it would be an easy choice. But he soon learned that he had not only been accepted to Stanford, but had received a full-ride offer from the California school. “It was hard for me to choose,” he said. Hozi said Palo Alto’s dis- tance from his family was a deterrent, and he decided to stay in Oregon. But he wasn’t quite ready to give up Stanford. “I asked if there was any way Stanford could retain that (full scholarship) for a Master’s Degree,” he said. He said Stanford told him that if he signed a binding contract agreeing to attend the school in four years, they would allow him to use the full scholarship for a mas- ter’s program in computer science. He’ll start at Stan- ford immediately upon com- pletion of his bachelor’s degree at George Fox. Hozi’s hobbies range from studying languages — he knows French, German, Arabic and English, and is now learning Croatian — to photography, soccer, and cryptography — solving puzzles and cracking codes. That last one has fed into his broader interest of working in computers, and a potential career in cybersecurity. lotte Latin School in Char- lotte, North Carolina, he requested help for a class project to learn more about Oregon. “Your response was overwhelming! I have tried my best to send a personal thank you to everyone, but if you sent something and have not a received a per- sonal letter, please know how much I appreciate the time, thought, effort and money that you took to help me with my project,” the youngster wrote back last month. “I learned so much, and I will never forget this experience!” Ivy used the informa- tion and trinkets sent to him as part of a project for the state fair. “The people of the great state of Oregon will be well represented!” he said. “Thank you again.” • • • A Hermiston teacher is moving over to Pendleton to become a principal. Armand Larive Mid- dle School math teacher Lorena Woods will serve as McKay Creek Elementary School principal next year, replacing Ronda Smith, continued from Page A1 continued from Page A1 STAFF PHOTO BY KATHY ANEY Marvin Hozi works in the Hermiston High School computer lab. On his finger is a ring his father, a jeweler, made for him after Hozi earned his first 4-point at HHS. He’s long shown an inter- est in computers, since his father brought one home when Hozi was seven years old. “I’d always mess with it and erase everything,” Hozi recalls with a smile. He’s parlayed his skills into part-time job with the Hermiston School District IT department, and will work this summer as a cybersecu- rity analyst at Amazon. His teacher and IT col- league, Robert Theriault, recalls how they first met. “I had to go through and figure out who was mak- ing themselves administra- tors on the (district) com- puter, and I found out he was making himself an admin,” Theriault said. “That led us to hire him as an intern.” Theriault said he has been impressed by Hozi’s self-motivation and inquis- itive nature, both as a col- league and as a student in his web development classes. “We can point him in a direction, and he’ll keep researching it, sometimes to a fault,” he said. Theriault said Hozi was one of three students who won the “Congressional App Challenge,” designing an app that helps students who couldn’t speak on their own. “The app will speak phrases like ‘I need a pencil’ or ‘I want to go to the bath- room,’” Theriault said. “It’s called ‘Touch and Talk,’ and it has Marvin’s voice.” Theriault and Hozi have another connection, though they didn’t know it until years later. “He and I were in Iraq at the same time,” Theriault said. “He was four. I was deployed there.” the Trees and the half a mil- lion dollars raised in a sin- gle day for FFA and 4-H each year through the Uma- tilla County Fair’s livestock auction. “When you look at this region, the people in this room probably go to a dozen fundraiser dinners per year,” Rivera said. “Almost every weekend there’s an oppor- tunity to support someone in this town.” Each organization can tell a different story of giving. Larry Fetter of the Desert Arts Council said the orga- nization pulled in $5,000 of donations during this year’s who is moving over to Sherwood Heights Elemen- tary School. In a press release, Pend- leton School District Super- intendent Chris Fritsch lauded Woods for her 27 years of educational experi- ence, which includes stints as a coach, athletic direc- tor, and assistant princi- pal. Woods has a bachelor’s degree from Western Ore- gon University and a mas- ter’s degree from the Uni- versity of Phoenix. • • • Hermiston Downtown District is continuing its First Thursday tradition into summer with refresh- ments, specials and a bonus drawing. The next event is this Thursday from 4:30-7 p.m. in nearly 20 downtown businesses, coinciding with the Maxwell Market farm- ers market from 4-8 p.m. People are encouraged to come down and take a stroll, visit with friends and shop local. Also, be sure to get a drawing ticket and get it punched when visiting participating businesses. To enter the drawing, get four or more punches and drop it off at Nookie’s at Maxwell Market, this month’s host business. Dancing With Your Hermis- ton Stars event. Over at the new senior center, which he is also involved in, the board has raised about $70,000 for new equipment for the center. Counselor Melody Bustillos said last year Hermiston High School seniors received $237,400 in scholarships. This year so far she has counted $139,050 in locally sourced scholarships, but said she doesn’t have numbers from the Hermiston-based Red and Gena Leonard Foun- dation yet and they usually contribute about $100,000 in various scholarships. Classrooms around Hermis- ton also receive thousands of dollars each year from the Hermiston Education Foundation. Paul Barnett said the Hermiston High School Sports Boosters netted over $100,000 after expenses at their spring fundraiser and auction this year. They also end up with between $25,000 and $35,000 in membership dues every year, and act as an umbrella organization for groups like the Linebackers Club and Hermiston Lacrosse, which do their own fundraisers. “People are just very gen- erous,” he said. As people consider turn- ing that generosity toward the Greater Hermiston Com- munity Foundation, they can find information online at www.greaterhermiston. com or call 541-567-5215 to receive help in setting up outright gifts of cash, land, stock options or other assets, or planned gifts such as making the foundation a life insurance beneficiary. Rivera said no amount of money is too small for foun- dation members to be will- ing to have a conversation about it. For more informa- tion, call 541-667-5026 or search Facebook. • • • Vacation Bible schools are ramping up for the sum- mer, and all area children are invited to make crafts and create things, play games, listen to Bible sto- ries, learn new songs and enjoy snacks at Trinity Lutheran Church. The Fun Maker Fac- tory vacation Bible school is Monday June 11 through Friday, June 15. It runs daily from 9 a.m. to noon at 485 W. Locust Ave., Hermiston. All children are invited to participate in the free event, regardless of religious affiliation. Classes will be available for kids that are 4 years old through those who just completed fifth grade. In addition, teens are invited to come and help with the classes and activities. For more informa- tion, call Nancy Carlson at 541-567-9660. ——— You can submit items for our weekly By The Way column by emailing your tips to editor@hermiston- herald.com. McKay Creek Estates We need to talk about your driving. Driving represents freedom and independence for people of all ages. Asking an aging parent to hand over their keys can be a difficult and emotional conversation, even when safety is the main concern. LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES Whether this is a new diagnosis or not, this class will assist you with learning more about diabetes and its effect on your mind and body. Six FREE weekly classes. Attend alone or with support person. Thursdays June 14-July 19 6:00-8:30pm • How do I start the conversation? Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509 • When is the right time to bring it up? LUNCH & LEARN The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. eomediagroup.com • How will they react? Join us for these FREE, informative and popular lunch & learn series covering various topics focusing on healthy living. Bring your lunch and your questions! This could be one of the most challenging talks you’ll have with your loved one. We’re here to help. Call for specific times, dates & locations 12:00-1:00pm call 541-667-3509 Information or to register call (541) 667-3509 or email healthinfo@gshealth.org www.gshealth.org Visit TheyDeserveTheBest.com to learn more about transitioning your loved one from driver to passenger. McKay Creek Estates 1601 Southgate Pl. Pendleton, OR 97801 (541) 704-7146 www.PrestigeCare.com
