Q&A with Board member, Pat Terjeson
We sat down with one of our longest serving Board members, Pat Terjeson who shared some insight into the amazing work we get to do and how she feels about our impact.
PFT: How many years have you lived in Pendleton?
PT: I was born and raised in Pendleton. I have lived in Eugene for four years, while I attended the University. Following my husband’s two years tour in the army on the east coast and Newfoundland, we returned to Eastern Oregon and farmed in the Helix County for 30 years. He raised wheat and cattle with his brothers.
PFT: What brought you to Pendleton?
PT: I moved back into Pendleton in 1983, and am living in the same house where I grew up.
PFT: How many years have you served on the PFT board? And what makes you so committed to our cause?
PT: I joined the Pendleton Foundation Trust (PFT) Board in 1996. Every time I leave a board meeting where we have made our grants, I feel happy because I know that we have helped so many others achieve their goals of improving their organizations’ projects. That is special.
Serving on the PFT Board has given me the most satisfaction of any of my other volunteer endeavors because of the good that is done to improve our community and its citizens.
PFT: Why is charitable giving so important?
PT: It is wonderful to work with the local people to help our students earn scholarships for their education following graduation from high school. Many of the same students benefited from our grants while they were attending school in Pendleton.
PFT: Why is charitable giving so important?
PT: Pendletonians gifts to our foundations are often a reason for them to celebrate or honor a friend. Some are matching gift donations with an employer. Others are memorials given in memory of a friend. Some choose to make an investment in Pendleton’s future with estate planning and bequests of stocks, bonds, cash, or other assets.
PFT: Why is the PFT so special?
PT: I am proud that the Pendleton Foundation Trust has made such a profound investment in Pendleton’s future for 92 years and counting. Our plan is to be Pendleton people helping Pendleton people.
PFT: Tell us a highlight during your service on the board.
PT: One of the highlights of my service on the Board took place in 2011, when the PFT received the Outstanding Philanthropic Foundation Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals of the Oregon and S.W. Washington Chapter. The 25th annual celebration and luncheon was held at the Portland Hilton Hotel and attended by most of our Board members.
