Wilcox Family Fund Pledges Donations to Local Youth Projects

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The Wilcox Family Fund has pledged donations to two local projects including the HEROS project, a proposed 18-acre sports complex near EOTEC. Pictured, from left, during October’s ground-breaking ceremony for HEROS: Hermiston City Manager Bryon Smith, Luke Swanson, Made to Thrive's Kriss Dammeyer and Josh Burns. (File photo)

The Greater Hermiston Community Foundation (GHCF) announced that the Wilcox Family Fund, created in 2019, has pledged donations to two local projects focusing on youth and the community.

Both donations will support Made To Thrive and its mission to empower children through outdoor activities, sports, and arts. The recent contributions are aimed at the HEROS Project, a proposed 18-acre sports complex near the Eastern Oregon Trade and Event Center, and a second project to provide lighting at the Harrison Park basketball courts in Hermiston.

The Wilcox brothers (Alan, John, and Bruce) took over the management of their parents’ (Les and Joyce Wilcox) business, Wilcox Furniture, in the mid-1970s. They soon expanded the Hermiston store by opening branch operations in Pendleton and Milton-Freewater. The brothers have continued their parents’ tradition of supporting local communities throughout Eastern Oregon by making donations to help those in need.

The Greater Hermiston Community Foundation has managed the Wilcox Family Fund through an annual application, selection, and grant process. The formation of the GHCF provided the Wilcox family with the ideal situation to help make a difference in people’s lives and communities.

“We believe that all of us have an opportunity to give back by helping our neighbors and community in whatever way we can,” said John Wilcox.

The Wilcox Family Fund focuses their charitable giving on the children of Hermiston and surrounding areas.

“The youth of our community have shown the ability to do amazing things when given the tools to be successful,” said GHCF Board Chair Greg Harris.

To learn more about the fund, visit www.GreaterHermiston.com or contact Dennis Barnett at dennis@barnettandmoro.com.