BHV Endowment Fund
Dear Editor: Thank you for allowing Brave Heart Volunteers to update the community about recent developments to our endowment fund. The fund was initiated in 2013 through the foresight and generosity of David and Margaret Steward, who pledged a matching grant challenge of $50,000. The Stewards have continued their support of the fund and recently made another pledge of $10,000 – for which, we are deeply grateful. The Stewards also invite others to make a gift to the BHV Endowment Fund, to ensure that every Sitkan who is facing terminal illness, isolation, and grief, will continue to have the valuable support and advocacy they need.
Until 2022, the entirety of the restricted funds has been successfully invested in TD AmeriTrade stocks by Fund Manager Dennis Longstreth. The long-term strategy was to grow the funds into a viable endowment for the purpose of securing BHV’s longevity to: (1) safeguard the BHV mission to provide compassionate care, companionship, respite, and education to those facing illness, isolation, end of life, and grief; (2) help finance staffing and program needs; and (3) permanently offer free services to our community.
As the investments are approaching $500,000, the BHV Board of Directors and the BHV Endowment Advisory Committee have approved a partnership with the Juneau Community Foundation to set up a formal BHV Endowment Fund. JCF will oversee the endowment, while Dennis Longstreth continues to skillfully manage the remaining Ameritrade investments. All future gifts will be allocated to the BHV endowment fund account at JCF, including the recent $10,000 gift from the Stewards.
Lastly, we want to thank key individuals for their continued involvement with the fund, like Dennis Longstreth who provides invaluable expertise and has donated countless hours to the fund management. We also appreciate the BHV Endowment Advisory Committee members, Scott Brylinski, Roger Hames, Joann Huff and Trish White, for their guidance and service. And we are forever grateful to David and Margaret Steward, the Sitka Community Hospital Foundation who donated $71,000, and the many others who have made generous gifts to the endowment. To view a full list of donors, and to contribute to the BHV Endowment Fund, please visit braveheartvolunteers.org/bhv-endowment.
Thank you,
Angie DelMoral, Executive Director
Brave Heart Volunteers, Sitka
Herring Run/Walk
Dear Editor: Last Saturday, we had over 40 runners and walkers participate in the Second Annual Herring Protectors Fun Run/Walk. It was a beautiful day and one of the Herring Protectors, Louise Brady, started the race, and reminded us to be present, enjoy our community, and to respect the land we are on.
Thank you to the volunteers who helped out: Rie Christianson, Lisa Busch, Elinor Mills, Elizabeth Bagley, Ellie Lo Re, and Lakota Harden.
Thank you to Sitka Conservation Society and Chandler O’Connell for providing insurance and support for the race and to Blatchley Middle School for the safety signs.
Thank you to Lee House for designing the T-shirt.
And thank you to everyone who came out in person or who was there with us in spirit.
Emily Pound, Bridget Hitchcock,
Race organizers, 2nd Annual
Herring Protectors Fun Run/Walk
Easter Workshop
Dear Editor: The United Methodist Church would like to thank the many people who helped us with our first community Lenten/Easter workshop that served more than 60 children at the Harrigan Centennial Hall on Saturday, April 9.
We were blessed to have volunteers from the Sitka Christian Center, Calvary Chapel, Grace Harbor, St. Gregory Catholic Church and the Assembly of God to help us with 10 craft tables and other needed items and services.
We also want to thank Petro Marine for their donation; 3-to-5 Preschool for letting us borrow supplies; Mary Magnuson for photo copies; and the Harrigan Centennial Hall staff for accommodating our every need in the most cheerful manner.
We appreciate all the businesses and groups who helped with our advertising, including the Daily Sitka Sentinel, Raven Radio, and KIFW.
We were pleased to see so many families with their children having fun and experiencing the joy of our resurrected Lord through the various activities that were offered. Happy Resurrection Day!
Rev. Bennie Grace Nabua
(Pastor Jojo),
United Methodist Church of Sitka
