Thanking the people and the organizations that made it possible for the Sedona Community Foundation to provide $145,000 in grants during the past year was an easy task for Bill Ebert.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, Ebert served as master of ceremonies for its 7th annual Spirit of Sedona Awards on Thursday, Nov. 6, at L’Auberge de Sedona.
“We were fortunate to have the financial strength and wherewithal to help 70 different nonprofit organizations meet their missions in this community,” Ebert said. “It was our best year ever in terms of giving grants and scholarships.”
By Susan Johnson
Larson Newspapers
Thanking the people and the organizations that made it possible for the Sedona Community Foundation to provide $145,000 in grants during the past year was an easy task for Bill Ebert.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Foundation, Ebert served as master of ceremonies for its 7th annual Spirit of Sedona Awards on Thursday, Nov. 6, at L’Auberge de Sedona.
“We were fortunate to have the financial strength and wherewithal to help 70 different nonprofit organizations meet their missions in this community,” Ebert said. “It was our best year ever in terms of giving grants and scholarships.”
Residents and visitors alike in Sedona benefit from generous contributions made by volunteers, philanthropists, businesses and nonprofits, one of each singled out for the yearly awards ceremony.
First up for recognition was Andrew Brearley, his award presented by Lon Walters.
“Andrew flies low under the radar screen. He immigrated to the United States in 1980, then built the biggest real estate company in Sedona, taught English as a second language, took students into his home to help them, worked with the local Salvation Army helping those in serious need, and now volunteers at CASA as a court-appointed special advocate for children where he is dedicated to helping as many of the 9,000 foster children in Arizona as possible,” Walters said.
“Most of the children in CASA have been removed from their home by Child Protective Services due to abuse caused by their parents’ drug or alcohol use,” Brearley said. “Normally, these children end up in jail because there is no one who loves them or takes the time to care for them. The most gratifying experiences of my life are when those children go from rejection of any help to responding. You can truly have a huge impact without spending any money, just by giving these children of your time.”
Presenting the award for nonprofit organization of the year was Susan Cammock.
“Friends of the Forest helps sustain the Coconino National Forest for future generations,” Cammock said. “With a force of 350 volunteers, it contributed 24,350 hours to the Forest Service last year, working on 15 major projects that include new trail construction, patrols, river ranger support and equestrian patrols.”
Accepting the award was Mike Ward, president of Friends of the Forest, who thanked Red Rock Ranger District Ranger Heather Provencio for nominating the group.
He also thanked Susan Cammock for strongly encouraging the Friends to pursue grants helping the forest.
“When Susan asked us why we weren’t applying for grants, we told her our donations were primarily feet on the ground, so she let us in on the secret of leverage,” Ward said. “We’re now able to promote stewardship of the forest monetarily as well as physically.”
Business benefactor of the year went to New Frontiers Marketplace, presented by Paul Chevalier.
“I could spend half an hour describing what New Frontiers does for Sedona,” Chevalier said. “From their donations of time, liquids and food, to their bulletin board for events, their classes and support of local musicians, this is a very giving company. One of their most unique programs is ‘5% Wednesdays’ when they select a different nonprofit to receive 5 percent of their sales — not their profits — their sales, for the day, and this alone has amounted to $150,000 in local donations.”
“I’m grateful to work for an organization that’s so supportive of its community,” said Gary Ohler who accepted the award on behalf of his company. “Almost all of us have relocated to Sedona from somewhere else and this community is the anchor that keeps us here.”
Philanthropist of the year was awarded posthumously to Susan N. Coleman who helped align $3 million in bequests with her clients’ interests and values. The award was accepted by Virginia Duncan.
Many organizations benefited from her largess, including the Sedona Public Library, Verde Valley Guidance Clinic, Sedona Arts Center, Salvation Army, Verde Valley Caregivers, Northern Arizona University, Yavapai College, Prescott College and others.
“Susan would be humbled by this award, she was a quiet, private person, but full of surprises,” Duncan said. “Susan wanted to make this a better world and she was blessed with the resources to do so.”
After thanking the assembled group, Ebert acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“There isn’t a person in this room who hasn’t been impacted by the current financial crisis,” Ebert said. “But, I also know this is a town where individuals step up and, at the end of the day, we’ll be OK, we’ll survive and we’ll steer this country in the right direction.”
Susan Johnson can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 129, or e-mail sjohnson@larsonnewspapers.com
