In 1991, a forward-thinking group of Homer residents established a community foundation, based on successful models in other cities, to serve the greater Homer area.The Homer Foundation attracts gifts and bequests from many donors to create a permanent endowment dedicated to improving the quality oflife for Homer area citizens. Six local nonprofit organizations including KHLT have endowments set up with the Foundation. We have always dreamed that some day our initial small investment would yield a substantial return to help meet our operating and stewardship responsibilities.

Last fall, when the Foundation investment report arrived, we were surprised to find that our balance had increased by some 400% due to a posthumous donation from Dr. and Mrs. Henry T. Tyler. It took no great search to learn that this was arranged by our long-time member and Board of Directors Secretary Richard (Toby) Tyler.

"When my stepmother died last year, I was amazed to find that my folks had left me their insurance policies. Of the options offered, I decided to cash them out, have the income tax deducted in advance, and then spend or donate the remainder. Since my folks had been well aware of the organizations which I have long supported, I felt that perhaps this is what they would have wanted," Toby announced. "I have had some difficulty figuring out why my father, who died ten years ago, did not do a better job of arranging for the distribution of his holdings beforehand. Gifts of large sums of money may be given away every year, and being gifts, can be taken as an income tax deduction by the giver while, being a gift, they are tax-free for the recipient," he added. "On the other hand, it has been great fun being allowed to play the philanthropist with someone else's moneyP Thank you, Toby, for deciding to "play the philanthropist" to the benefit of KHLT! You have set a wonderful example for others who may wish to contribute to greater Homer organizations by designating a donation through the Homer Foundation.