BORREGO SPRINGS, Calif. — On an intermittently rainy mid-November afternoon, the community of Borrego Springs gathered to honor a gift that was not only generous in its scale but transformative in its vision. Jim and Anne Wermers, longtime residents and community boosters, were celebrated on Saturday, November 15, for their donation of The Center, a commercial property in the heart of the town, to the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF).
The ceremony, hosted by the BVEF, marked the second anniversary of the Wermers’ landmark donation and featured the unveiling of a commemorative bronze plaque. The plaque, installed on the façade of The Center, reads: “In lasting gratitude. On November 15, 2023, in one of the most significant gifts in Borrego Springs’ history, Jim and Anne Wermers—devoted residents and generous philanthropists—donated The Center to the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund to serve the long-term well-being and vitality of the Borrego Springs Community.”
The event’s keynote was delivered by Dr. David Garmon, BVEF President, who emphasized the Wermers’ longstanding commitment to Borrego Springs. “Few have worked as long or given as much as Jim and Anne,” he said. “Their impact on the appearance and economic vitality of this town is incalculable.” He recalled how, in the early 2000s, the couple spearheaded the transformation of a derelict grocery store into the now iconic Borrego Art Institute and subsequently renovated two long-neglected shopping centers that now anchor Palm Canyon Drive. He noted that under the previous corporate ownership, the net revenues generated by these properties “left the community and flowed to the bottom line of distant corporations; whereas under Jim and Anne’s ownership, every penny of net revenue has been kept in the community through massive improvements they made to the properties and other charitable gifts.” He reminded guests of some of the major renovations such as removing the 10,000 gallon underground gas tank of a former gas station at The Center, the installation of a 500 panel PV solar system, and the reconstruction of the Performing Arts Center.
Garmon described Jim and Anne’s latest act of generosity — transferring commercial real estate to a public charity — as “visionary and fueled by a deep and abiding love for the community.” After years of contemplating how their community-focused work could endure far into the future, the Wermers asked a simple but profound question: Could a commercial enterprise be gifted to a community fund and managed in perpetuity for public benefit? The answer, it turns out, was yes.
The Center, now under the stewardship of the BVEF, serves as a revenue-generating asset whose income will be reinvested locally. Initially established in 1994 as a Healthcare Endowment, the BVEF now provides more than $400,000 annually to support healthcare related services in the area. With the Wermers’ gift, the fund is branching out to create a new “Community Endowment” aimed at supporting wider social, cultural, environmental, and economic needs in Borrego Springs.
“This is more than a donation,” Garmon said, gesturing toward the plaque. “Jim and Anne’s gift of the center is the cornerstone of a sustainable future for our community.”
Under the late afternoon sun, attendees — including longtime residents, local business owners, and nonprofit leaders — mingled while discussing the new Community Endowment’s potential. Some spoke of funding arts programs; others imagined broader support for our schools or environmental conservation initiatives.
Jim and Anne Wermers were both present, modestly accepting the applause but largely deferring to the crowd and the cause. Asked why they chose this path, Jim looked into the faces of friends and supporters and made a brief remark: “It’s because of you that we live here. It’s because we love you and this community that it delights us to do what we can to support what we believe will be a wonderful future for Borrego.”
For a small desert town, the gift symbolizes more than real estate — it is both a tangible and philosophical investment in Borrego’s future, a cornerstone laid with vision, abiding dedication, and profound generosity.