Find a niche at Friday’s volunteer drive

It can be said that volunteerism is at the heart of every thriving small, rural community. In her most productive seasons over the past 150 years, Weiser itself grew on the shoulders of citizens who were eager to see a prosperous and effective community.

 Even though the ebb and flow of time has shifted some of the civic structures within Weiser, there are as many opportunities as ever for individuals to find areas of interest in which to become involved.

 This Friday, May 2, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. a Weiser Volunteer Drive is being hosted by the LOR Foundation at the Vendome Events Center, giving locals a chance to meet and connect with at least 20 different Weiser area nonprofits and organizations.

 LOR Foundation Community Officer Jenn Huff told the Signal American she picked up the idea of the volunteer drive after seeing its impact in the community of Libby, Mont.

 “I’m very excited about this event,” Huff said. “Libby has hosted a couple of these, and I was so excited when I heard about it. It’s been consequential in getting people and organizations together. I thought what a fantastic opportunity this would be for Weiser’s organizations and individuals  living here.”

 There will be door raffles every hour during the event for a $50 Weiser Classic Candy gift card, Huff said, along with a light lunch and refreshments. 

 “The event is free for everyone to attend,” Huff added. “We plan on doing this event annually while LOR is in the community, and then hopefully hand it off to a local organization.”

 A nonprofit, philanthropic organization, the LOR Foundation was founded in 2007 by Wyoming-based Amy Wyss and her husband Ed Jaramillo.

 A native of Switzerland and 1965 graduate of Harvard Business School, Wyss’s father, Hansjoerg, founded Synthes USA in 1974, a company that had become known for orthopedic and soft tissue implants and devices, according to his biography found at the Wyss Foundation website. He was first introduced to the American West in 1958, working for the Colorado Highway Department, and developed a lifelong love of America’s national parks and public lands.

 Since its inception, the LOR Foundation has worked with residents and organizations in small, rural western communities, including Cortez and Monte Vista, Colo.; Lander, Wyo.; Libby, Mont.; Questa and Taos, N.M.; and came to Weiser two years ago.

 Since then, LOR has made numerous contributions to Weiser’s schools, ambulance service, public library, Love INC, and the City of Weiser, to name just a sampling of benefits extended.

 LOR’s presence in Weiser is not the first philanthropic endeavor to bring progress to the western edge of Idaho. Funding for the building of Weiser’s historic Intermountain Institute in the early part of the last century was provided through the generosity of eastern U.S. philanthropists. Donors to the Institute included Teddy Roosevelt, George Eastman and Kimball Piano Company.