Longtime Supporter Aims to Continue OEC’s Efforts

John Hammond’s environmental consciousness grew slowly. When he was an adolescent, growing up in rural, pastoral landscapes in Southern California, he recalls looking at the purple-red desert mountains ringing patches of agricultural land and thinking it would be wonderful to go out there and spend time, to experience simple nature unchanged by human beings. That feeling found expression in a membership to the Sierra Club, something he rewarded himself with when he completed graduate school.

As a founding member of the Oregon Environmental Council Board of Directors, John has supported OEC from the beginning. He recalls becoming acquainted with Bill Nordstrom, then chair of the Columbia Group Sierra Club, and Larry Williams, who would become OEC’s first executive director, and discussing the idea of Oregon having its own homegrown environmental advocacy organization.

“OEC has had a special place in my heart ever since, part of my roots,” he says. John sees OEC as an organization that is careful, responsible and focused. Although his interests shifted toward forestry management issues in Mt. Hood National Forest, he appreciates OEC’s focus on what he describes as “urban environmental issues,” such as toxics in homes, transportation and water quality.

John doesn’t credit any specific moment or person with his decision to leave a planned gift to OEC. To him, including OEC in his will felt like “a natural outgrowth of having been a supporting member since the birth of the organization back in the 1960s.” The single most important consideration in his decision to make a planned gift to OEC was his desire that OEC would have the financial resources to continue its good work in perpetuity.

“When I was making out my will I decided to leave a portion of my estate to five environmental organizations that I have supported now for 50+ years, OEC being one of them and at the top, in my estimation,” he says.

He hopes his gifts will help the organization be able to concentrate on its work and mission, and not be distracted or anxious about its financial condition.

OEC is incredibly grateful to John for his early leadership of the organization as a founding Board member, as well as his long-term commitment to protecting Oregon’s environment by leaving a planned gift to fund thoughtful environmental advocacy for years to come.

If you would like to remember OEC with a gift in your will or learn about establishing a charitable gift annuity, please contact Teke Dillender at teked@oeconline.org or 503-222-1963 x119 today.