United Way of Santa Barbara

The 18th Annual Heritage Club Recognition Luncheon

Judy Goodbody with Mike & Jennifer Bergquist

Twenty nine members of the Heritage Club and their guests gathered at Birnam Wood Golf Club on Thursday, June 5, 2003 to celebrate, and be recognized for their contributions to the community. A sumptuous lunch was served in the elegant library where friendly conversation flowed, as each Heritage Club member shared their personal stories and their commitment to the ongoing success of Santa Barbara County’s United Way.

This year’s luncheon was generously underwritten by Michael J. Bergquist, JD, CFP® of Michael J. Bergquist Financial & Estate Planning. As Heritage Club members since 1990, Mike and Jennifer Bergquist share a deep and personal commitment to the strength of the endowment program of Santa Barbara County’s United Way. Mike has been a long-time volunteer and advisor to the Endowment/Gift Planning Services Committee as well as the Endowment Investment Review Committee.

Many thanks to our sponsor, Michael J. Bergquist, JD, CFP® of Michael J. Bergquist Financial & Estate Planning

Heritage Club Members Strengthen Our Community

Paul Didier with Charles and Gail Lucky

The Heritage Club is made up of concerned individuals who have shown their long-term commitment to the health of their community by leaving a legacy to Santa Barbara County’s United Way in their estate plans. Their gifts come in the form of Charitable Remainder Trusts, Gift Annuities, Pooled Income Funds, Philanthropic Funds, Bequests, and gifts of Life Insurance and Retirement Plans. These gifts are invested in at least one of five Endowment Funds, which provide a solid foundation of perpetual support for Santa Barbara County’s United Way, and the programs that benefit the people of our community.

Heritage, according to Webster’s New Dictionary, is “something handed down from one’s ancestors or the past, as a characteristic, a culture, a tradition”. Through the forward-looking management of the Santa Barbara County’s United Way Endowment Funds, each Heritage Club member’s gift helps to assure that proven and innovative community solutions will continue to produce a positive impact on the human service needs of our community for generations to come. The Heritage Club is the rock that allows Santa Barbara County’s United Way to provide the expertise to accomplish things that no one organization can do.

Lu & Elmy Fast

To learn more about the Heritage Club, please contact Judy Goodbody, our Gift Planning Services Officer at (805) 965-8591 x120 or log on to our website at www.unitedwaysb.org

Tradition, Legacy, Heritage

Diane Doiron welcomes Heritage Club Members

After her welcoming comments, Diane Doiron, a Heritage Club member since 1985 and the Endowment/Gift Planning Committee Chair, invited the Heritage Club members to share how they became involved with Santa Barbara County’s United Way. The following are just a few of their remarkable stories:

Tom Brashears, Earl Damitz, Wally Drew, and Stuart Taylor were honored for their 200 years of United Way volunteerism, 50 years each. The generosity of these four Heritage Club members goes beyond resources and extends into community involvement.

Earl & Merrilyn Damitz were among the first Heritage Club members. In 1982, Earl was a founding member of Santa Barbara County’s United Way’s Endowment and Gift Planning Department, and his efforts paved the way for the future financial security of this community.

David & Carolyn Spainhour have been Heritage Club members since 1990. 15 years ago, David was asked to joined Earl Damitz as a member on the Endowment/Gift Planning Services Committee.

Ross Bixby began his involvement with United Way in 1950, collecting pledges from downtown Santa Barbara merchants for what was then called the Community Chest.

Stuart Taylor began his United Way involvement in Philadelphia in the 1950’s before moving to Santa Barbara in 1964. In 1983 Stuart served as Chairman of the Building Endowment Fund which raised the funds to purchase our Santa Barbara office building on Gutierrez Street known as the Stuart Taylor Community Center. Since 1986, the Building Endowment Fund has saved United Way over $1,000,000 in rent

There isn’t enough space to describe everything that these, and many more generous individuals, have done for United Way. We would like to thank all of you for committing your time and resources towards helping the people of your community

Improving Lives & Strengthening Our Community

Stuart Taylor and Suzi Schomer

Paul Didier, Executive Director since 1978 and a member of the Heritage Club since 1984, took a few minutes to share the successes and goals of Santa Barbara County’s United Way. At a time when community fundraising has been described locally and nationally as the worst in 30 years, the coming year was shaping up to be a very disappointing one for local low income children. But right now your Heritage Club membership is helping to stabilize and create the platform from which to help this community. Some endowment income is currently flowing and making possible some very exciting impacts.

Success by 6 is a collaborative with the Santa Barbara County Children & Families Commission, developing such programs as Welcome Every Baby, Summer Pre-Kindergarten Institutes, and Home Play Learning Kits.

Day of Caring involves thousands of local volunteers each year to beautify the community with such projects as landscaping Dos Pueblos High School.

Safe Summer for Kids is a collaboration with Santa Barbara City Parks & Recreation and the Police Activities League, along with 15 youth serving organizations, to provide summer programs to as many low income and at-risk youth as possible.

As a Heritage Club member, you ensure the future of Santa Barbara County’s United Way, providing stability to the needs of your community. Thank you again for your gift! ~ Diane Doiron

Heritage Highlight News
Santa Barbara County’s United Way
320 East Gutierrez Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Phone: (805) 965-8591x120
Fax: (805) 962-3461
Website: www.unitedwaysb.org

For more information: Judy Goodbody
Email: jgoodbody@unitedwaysb.org