Three local non-profit organizations were given a hefty boost this past week when Eric Koenig returned home for the holidays to Fallon, where he grew up. Fallon Daily Bread, Domestic Violence Intervention, and the Recovery Ranch all received generous contributions from the Roger & Sybil Ferguson Charitable Foundation which Koenig, who now lives in Utah, is responsible for assisting to disburse each year.
“For my portion this year,” said Koenig, “I just thought it would be nice to do something to help my hometown and something that would really make a difference.”
Koenig’s wife Rissa is the granddaughter of the Fergusons who were business entrepreneurs in Idaho who enjoyed financial success over the course of their lives. According to the letter that accompanied the donations, the Fergusons, “created a legacy of goodness and generosity that has continued beyond their lives through the establishment of their foundation.” The mission of the foundation is to provide funds to provide for those in need.
Each of the current family members is designated a certain amount each year that they can then donate to causes that specifically interest them. Koenig wanted to give to local Fallon organizations that provide needed services to the community and where the contribution would make a significant difference.
“This donation means so very much,” said Glenda Dockery, a board member of DVI. “It means DVI can operate better while waiting for reimbursements from all the grants that run the non-profit.” Colleen Beam is an advocate with DVI who met Koenig to receive the check. She was in tears when she opened the envelope, “you have no idea what this means to our program,” she said.
June Young is the bookkeeper for Fallon Daily Bread who met Koenig to receive their check. She explained that the organization has been exploring ways to reach out to more folks who need assistance, “everything from possible food delivery to just getting the word out that we're there, maybe expanding into a "carry out" program. It all takes money, though.” In addition, she said that last year Daily Bread spent $5000 more than they took in. “We have wonderful regular donors who give us money every month, and have for years, but with the price of food it just wasn't enough. We were just discussing possible fundraisers when we got this, it really was perfect timing.”
Altogether, Fallon Daily Bread received $19,000, Recovery Ranch received $18,000, and DVI received $13,000 from Koenig through the Ferguson Foundation and each expressed their surprise and appreciation for the support.
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