New Year Brings New Faces and New Opportunities to LCF

The more support that nonprofit organizations have, as counted in both funds raised and volunteer hours devoted, the more good they can do. Thanks to the generous, ongoing support of community members in both of these realms, Lyons Community Foundation is thrilled to report that it will be able to do even more good in the greater Lyons area in 2023 than it was able to do in 2022.
With more than $150,000 in contributions, LCF had a banner year for fundraising in 2022. This amount compares to $119,955 raised in 2021, $98,973 raised in 2020, and $72,607 raised in 2019. All of the money raised will be used in support of LCF’s mission, which is to “improve the quality of life, build a culture of giving and encourage positive change for the greater Lyons area.” 

What does this mission look like in action? The funds you donate to LCF help nonprofit organizations like LEAF and the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens, they are given out to local high school students in the form of college scholarships, and they support community events like the Sandstone Concert Series and the Holiday Parade of Lights. In short, the funds you give make life in our community better for all.

To put fundraising dollars to good work requires a hardworking and committed team of people. Accordingly, LCF has welcomed several new board members to its Advisory Board over the last year. Current board members are: Gil Sparks (Chair), Cory Pierce (Vice Chair), Gail Frankfort (Co-Treasurer), Kathy Hoyt (Co-Treasurer), Sara Erickson (Secretary), Gwydion Winkelmeyer, Ravi Gandh, Ella Levy, David Mencin, Jesse Garland, Dave Hatchimonji, Sarah Lorang, and Zach Tucker. 

Gil Sparks, the new Board Chair, is well-suited for the role, having served on the Community Foundation of North Central Washington board for 14 years, including two years as Board Chair. He also served on the boards of the Pybus Market Charitable Foundation, Pybus Public Market, Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center, the Performing Arts Center, the Chamber of Commerce (President-2 years), the YMCA, Rotary (President-1 year) and co-founded the Apple Valley Human Resource Association (President-2 years). 

Gil’s goal as LCF Board Chair is to keep growing the organization so it can do even more good in the greater Lyons area. He is always willing to sit down and chat with people who are interested in the organization and its work, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to him with any questions, concerns or ideas you might have about LCF and its role in the community.

Departing LCF board members are Jeanne Moore and Claudia Kean, both of whom dedicated countless volunteer hours helping the community during their many years with LCF. Jeanne served as Board Chair, and Claudia as Co-Treasurer. The Advisory Board is grateful to Jeanne and Claudia for their dedication, and wishes them well in their future endeavors. 

Tanya Daty, who served for more than two years as a communications consultant for LCF, has also stepped down from her role. Tanya’s work has helped LCF grow and thrive, and she will be missed. 

To fill Tanya’s shoes, Kate Schnepel has stepped in as communications consultant, effective this month. Kate spent nearly three years volunteering time as an Advisory Board member before resigning that role in order to take on the paid consulting role. Kate’s professional background is in marketing and communications for nonprofit organizations, and she is excited to be putting her skills to work to serve the community she has grown to love since her family moved to Lyons in 2019.

If you have interest in being a part of the work of LCF, consider volunteering or even joining the Advisory Board. Board members are asked to commit to a three-year term, attend monthly Board meetings, to participate on committees, and to become financial supporters of the organization. The LCF Advisory Board would like to represent the community it serves by adding board members who are diverse in age, background, talents, and skills. If you are interested in learning about becoming a board member or in volunteering your time to help out with fundraising, grants, scholarships, or special events, please contact us at [email protected].