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The Borrego Springs Community Resource Center (CRC) is approaching its one-year anniversary and is busier thanever. One year ago, in April 2023, the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) announced the newly incorporated CRC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit California corporation, received its IRS Letter of Determination confirming its tax-exempt status.

The CRC took shape in the early days of the pandemic as a collaboration among several Borrego Springs residents. Anne and Jim Wermers, together with Thomas Fredericks, started a weekly food bank for the many people in the Borrego community who were suddenly without work or a paycheck because of the lockdown. “We knew that being without income would be a tremendous hardship for many families and we were determined to do something tohelp,” said Anne Wermers. The most immediate need they could help meet was food.

By May 2020, dozens of volunteers had been assembled to begin food distribution to anyone in need. All food had to be purchased and brought to Borrego Springs by volunteers. Donations to purchase food came from community members eager to support the effort. Both the need for food and the generosity of donors in the community far exceeded anyone’s expectations.

By Fall 2020, it became clear that this volunteer organization needed a more formal structure. Wermers and Fredericks asked Dan Wright, President of the Borrego Springs Youth and Senior Center, for assistance. Under the umbrella of the Senior Center, the food bank moved into larger space, combined food banks with Martha Deichler’s bi-weekly High School food bank, and added additional services.

“Initially, we provided food to 60 to 70 families a week. Over time that number grew to more than 250 families, which is about a quarter of Borrego’s population. We thought once the pandemic restrictions were lifted the number of people requiring food assistance would decrease, but that has not been the case,” said Jim Wermers. In the earlydays of the CRC Anne Wermers kept track of donations given by community members and made sure each one was recognized with a handwritten note of gratitude. Anne Wermers said, “The generosity of this community is truly amazing. People just stepped forward and asked how they could help. Many donated their time to help with food distribution and many donated cash.”

Recognizing the importance of this effort to the community, the BVEF joined the Wermers in subsidizing the nascent CRC’s rent at The Mall and underwrote its incorporation process. In all the BVEF funded over $65,000 towards the permanent establishment of the CRC, thereby ensuring its ability to provide continuing assistance to Borrego Springs residents. “The pandemic exposed a need in our community for food and other basic services, and that need has not diminished,” said David Garmon, Board Chair of the BVEF. Garmon added, “This is why the BVEF was eager to support the evolution of what began as a grass roots effort led by key individuals in the community. Beyondcontinuing the critical work of the food bank, we believe over time the CRC will become the community platform for delivering a wide range of services such as transportation assistance, legal assistance, summer activity programs for children, energy assistance, internet connectivity assistance, and health education.”

Inaugural CRC Board President, Martha Deichler said, “The creation of the CRC is an incredible milestone for ourcommunity. The CRC continues to provide weekly food to more than 250 families. The number of programs offered has expanded, often in strategic partnerships with other non-profits, including Borrego Art Institute, BASIC, Borrego Valley Stewardship Council, BS School District and OLAX. Classes for learning English, classes for learning Spanish, classes helping families teach reading to their children, art classes, legal services, support for transportation to out of town medical services, are among the many services now being offered, with more planned to roll out monthly.”

CRC is financially reliant on the generosity of donors. At a recent fundraising event, over $200,000 was pledged by local donors, including $100,000 in a matching grant. 

For more information about the CRC visit their website: www.borregocrc.org

BVEF Supports Borrego Medical Clinic

Borrego Springs, March 30, 2024 – The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) announced today a $58,000 grant to DAP Health, the new owner of the Borrego Medical Clinic. The grant is restricted to serve the Borrego community and will be used for conducting a community health survey of Borrego Springs and for renovations of the Borrego Medical Clinic. “For the first time in nearly a decade, BVEF believes the management of the Borrego Medical Clinic aligns with the goals and intentions of BVEF’s founding donors to provide quality healthcare for Borrego Springs,” said BVEF President, David Garmon, adding, “Honoring and fulfilling the intent of our donors is a bedrock principal of the Endowment Fund”.

Following DAP Health’s August 2023 acquisition of the assets of the Borrego Community Health Foundation, which included the Borrego Medical Clinic, members of the BVEF board began discussions with the CEO of DAP Health, David Brinkman. These discussions focused on providing the highest quality healthcare to the residents of the Borrego Valley and on supporting DAP Health in its efforts to revitalize the Borrego Medical Clinic.

Garmon said, “We are pleased to support DAP Health in its mission to revitalize the Borrego Medical Clinic. Under the new leadership of DAP Health, we believe the Borrego Medical Clinic will become an exemplary provider of healthcare to every segment of our community. DAP Health has been a leader in providing quality healthcare in the Palm Springs region for 40 years, and we are delighted to have DAP Health as a partner in serving Borrego’s healthcare needs.”

“All of us at DAP Health are so thankful to BVEF and President Dr. David Garmon, not only for this generous gift, but for entrusting us with the staff and patients of the Borrego Medical Clinic,” said DAP Health CEO, David Brinkman. “Our community health survey and strategic planning process — through which we will identify the most promising pathways to increasing health care access, improving health outcomes, and achieving health equity in each of the communities we serve — will help us meet the needs of individuals and families in Borrego Springs, and our new partnership with BVEF will enable us to continue our renovation of the physical facility so that we can elevate the entire patient experience at the Borrego Medical Clinic.”

DAP Health, which celebrates its 40^th anniversary in 2024, is an internationally renowned humanitarian health care organization and federally qualified health center (FQHC) whose goal is to protect and expand health care access for all people — especially the disenfranchised — regardless of who or where they are, their health status, or whether they have health insurance.
 
In 2023, DAP Health made a successful bid to acquire the Borrego Health system, enabling its 950 employees to continue serving more than 85,000 patients of all populations, genders, and ages — from newborns to seniors — at a total of 25 Southern California clinics located within 240 rural and urban zip codes from the Coachella Valley to the San Diego coast.

The BVEF’s mission is to harness the power of philanthropy to create enduring, community-wide benefits for the Borrego region. Supporting the Borrego Medical Clinic is one example of how the BVEF makes Borrego Springs a better community. If you would like to support the BVEF in achieving its mission by donating to important projects like this, or others that may be of special interest to you, please contact Jim Dion at jdionbvef@gmail.com or visit www.bvefund.org.

Borrego Valley Endowment Fund Celebrates largest charitable donation in Borrego History

Borrego Springs, Feb. 2, 2024 – Anne and Jim Wermers were center stage and under the spotlights at a champagne reception hosted by the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) for the largest single charitable donation in Borrego Springs’ history.  More than 100 members of the Borrego Springs community were in attendance at the Borrego Springs Performing Art Center to celebrate the generosity of the Wermers and to learn more about the couple’s hopes for Borrego’s future.

BVEF Board President, David Garmon, began the presentation with an overview of the Wermers’ gift to BVEF of “The Center,” one of the community’s major retail commercial spaces, valued between $2.5 and $9 million dollars. The Center consists of 32,000 square feet of commercial real estate with 16 rentable suites, 10 unique tenants, on 4.67 acres of land along Palm Canyon Drive in the heart of Borrego Springs. Garmon said the unique aspect of this gift was the Wermers’ vision that the property be owned and operated in perpetuity by the Endowment Fund for the benefit of the Borrego Springs community.

Garmon noted the gift was two years in the making and that the Wermers had spent considerable time and money improving the property after its purchase in 2016. The extensive improvements included new sewer lines, removing underground gasoline storage tanks, bringing the property up to ADA standards, renovating the Performing Arts Center, and installing a new roof and a commercial grade solar system that generates half the electricity used at The Center.

“What made this gift possible is the alignment of Anne and Jim’s vision with the expanded mission of the Endowment Fund as a community foundation,” Garmon said. “This gift fulfills Anne and Jim’s vision of local ownership supporting local businesses, of keeping dollars in the local economy, and of providing the means to perpetually reinvest in our local economy. And from the perspective of the Endowment Fund, this gift furthers its mission as a community foundation to address a broad range of community needs … from economic development to food security … from education to environmental stewardship.”

Following this introduction, Anne and Jim Wermers were welcomed to the stage to a standing ovation. Garmon interviewed Anne and Jim about their history with The Center, their thoughts about the importance of a community having a performing arts center, and their hopes for the future of their charitable endeavors. Jim Wermers described his years of participation with groups interested in improving Borrego’s downtown business district, beginning with an ad hoc committee of the Chamber of Commerce called the Think Tank. “During those early conversations we realized the majority of downtown real estate was owned by people who lived outside of the Borrego Springs community.  When Borrego Valley Foods (today’s BAI) on Christmas Circle, The Mall, and The Center became available, we saw purchasing these properties as opportunities to change and improve the appearance of downtown and to change the course of Borrego’s future.”

Jim recalled when he and Anne purchased The Center, they had not yet come to the idea of one day donating it to the community. “No one is going to live forever,” he observed, “But we would like to see this property provide financial support for the community in perpetuity. This is what I have been referring to as the grand experiment—Can nonprofit ownership of the property be a perpetual source of support for the community?”

In describing her hopes for the future of Borrego, Anne noted its unique setting in the middle of a state park surrounded by gorgeous mountains. “We are surrounded by natural beauty here. I hope future generations will continue to enjoy it and that we all will continue to preserve and improve what we all love about Borrego Springs.” Anne continued, “I really like how the Center is evolving, with wonderful small businesses, a lively restaurant, and our beautiful theatre adding excitement to the town.”

In addition to the donation of The Center, the Wermers maintain a Donor Advised Fund with the BVEF. Donor Advised Funds provide an immediate tax benefit to the donor while at the same time provide opportunities to direct contributions to projects that align with the BVEF’s mission. 

Founded in 1994, the Borrego Valley Endowment Funds seeks to harness the power of philanthropy for the benefit of the Borrego Springs community. For more information on how your tax-deductible gift can help secure a sound future for Borrego Springs please go to https://www.bvefund.org. 

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Donation of commercial shopping center to Borrego Valley Endowment Fund is transformative gift for Borrego Springs

November 15, 2023 – Borrego Springs, CA – In one of the largest philanthropic donations in Borrego Springs’ history, Anne and Jim Wermers, long time Borrego Springs residents and philanthropists, have donated “The Center” to the non-profit Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) for the long-term benefit of the community. The transaction, which closed November 15, 2023, is valued at more than $2.5 million. The Center is one of two major retail commercial centers in Borrego Springs.

“Borrego is such a special place. We want to help preserve Borrego’s unique community spirit,” said Jim Wermers. “We feel The Center, a physical asset with positive cash flow, in the right hands, can be a means to ensure our philanthropic vision. We believe the right organization to entrust with this vision is the BVEF.”

The Center, located at 590 Palm Canyon Drive, is comprised of three buildings totaling 32,000 square feet that house the Center Market, the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, the Frugal Coyote Thrift Shop, Pabilto’s Restaurant as well as other retail, professional, and non-profit operations.

“Through their extraordinary generosity, vision, and love of Borrego, Anne and Jim’s gift creates impactful philanthropic support for the Borrego Springs community for decades to come,” said David Garmon, Chair of the BVEF Board of Directors. “We are humbled that Anne and Jim have entrusted the BVEF with this transformative gift to the community.”

The Wermers purchased The Center in 2016 to help secure the economic vitality of Borrego Springs. At the time of their purchase, The Center had endured years of deferred maintenance. Since then, significant investments were undertaken by the Wermers, including removal of an outdated gas station, installing a new sewer system, bringing the premises into ADA compliance, and adding a 500-panel solar system to the roof. The Center now enjoys full occupancy with clean, friendly, inviting spaces.

In alignment with the vision of the Wermers, The Center will continue to operate with proceeds going to BVEF for the benefit of the community.

“When Jim first presented this idea, I thought he was completely bonkers. But after my smooth-talking husband explained the concept, I was totally sold. Then our task became selecting an organization that would understand our vision and have the ability to operate the property. These considerations brought us to the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund,” said Anne Wermers.

Founded in 1994, the Borrego Valley Endowment Funds seeks to harness the power of philanthropy for the benefit of the Borrego Springs community. For more information on how your tax-deductible gift can help secure a sound future for the Borrego Springs Community please go to https://www.bvefund.org.

From Nidia Meza, Managing Director for Basic Assistance for Students in the Community (BASIC). ……I would like to thank the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund for your donation of $28,500 for our Summer Learning Academy this year. Your organization will again play a major role in the lives of children who benefit from this BASIC program. Both staff and students look forward to the Learning Academy program every year as we continue to make headway in providing our Borrego Springs youth with a much-needed educational boost. As you know, our program aims to improve opportunities for the children of Borrego to succeed – to improve reading and math skills, to improve English language fluency, to develop a love of learning, to finish high school, to go on to higher education, and be successful in life. This year’s program is scheduled to begin Thursday, July 6th, and runs through Wednesday, August 2nd. We will be hosting 41 students in 4 vital classes. Again, Thank You for the difference that the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund makes in our community.

Since beginning operations adjacent to the Borrego Medical Clinic in July 2020, Mercy Air’s helicopter air ambulance has operated on a temporary authorization from the permitting agency, the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), Division of Aeronautics. To give permanent authorization for this service, CalTrans requires documentation of approval of the service by the County Board of Supervisors (BOS). At the regularly scheduled meeting of the BOS on June 28, 2023, Supervisor Jim Desmond formally requested the Board provide documentation of the Board’s approval of the service to CalTrans. 

As the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) has been a long-time financial supporter of the air ambulance service, David Garmon, BVEF President, offered public comment at the BOS meeting. Garmon cited the remoteness of Borrego Springs from the nearest emergency medical services and consequently the importance of air ambulance transport in cases of critical injury or illness. He noted, “Our helicopter air ambulance dramatically reduces the time for critically ill or injured individuals to receive life-saving emergency medical care.”

The BOS voted unanimously to provide documentation to CalTrans of the Board’s approval of the air ambulance service at the Borrego Medical Clinic. This approval will be transmitted to CalTrans, which will then be able to issue a permit for permanent air ambulance service at the current site next to the Borrego Medical Clinic.

Borrego Springs, June 1, 2023 – The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) announced today it is donating $20,000 to the Children’s Center, which is operated under the non-profit umbrella of the Borrego Springs Youth and Seniors Center. The funds for this gift come from the operations of the Frugal Coyote Thrift Store, which was donated to the BVEF in January 2023 by long-time community benefactors, Anne and Jim Wermers. 

“There is a long history of the Frugal Coyote providing financial support to the Children’s Center. Thanks to the generosity and foresight of the Wermers, the BVEF is pleased to be able to continue that tradition of support for an organization that is critically important to so many families in our community,” said BVEF President, David Garmon.

Daniel Wright, Executive Director of the Borrego Springs Youth and Seniors Center said, “Our community owes a huge debt of gratitude to BVEF for their support of our working families by sustaining the Children’s Center, which is the only licensed day care in Borrego Springs.”

The BVEF has expanded its role beyond healthcare to that of a community foundation whose mission is to harness the power of philanthropy to support the health and broader well-being of the Borrego Valley and its residents. In this expanded capacity as community foundation, the BVEF supports local nonprofits that launch initiatives and implement programs that sustain and grow the community of Borrego Springs, serve our vulnerable seniors and youth, and protect our environment.

Garmon said, “We are excited about continuing the charitable mission of the Frugal Coyote and expanding its mission to meet the critical needs of our seniors, youth, and local residents. The current and future success of the Frugal Coyote is due in no small part by its dedicated, knowledgeable, and hard-working staff led by longtime manager Ann Jastrock and invaluable sales associates Laura Alcaraz and Jazmine Padilla”.

The Frugal Coyote welcomes your generous donations to their inventory so they can continue to offer shoppers an enticing array of boutique treasures and thrift items ranging from clothing, household goods, furniture, art, and more. Your donation makes a difference. Your support, as a donor or shopper, helps the BVEF fund the most critical needs of our Borrego Springs community. For more information on donating to the Frugal Coyote call 760-767-4608 or stop by the store located in The Center at 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs.  

Borrego Valley Endowment Fund – Announces Spring 2023 Grant Awards

Borrego Springs, April 26, 2023–The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVDF) announced today the recipients of its 2023 Community Foundation Grant Awards. The BVEF is proud to support the enduring, community-wide benefits created by each of these initiatives and to support the missions of the recipient organizations whose dedication and hard work make Borrego Springs such a great place to live, work, and play.

The 2023 BVEF Community Foundation Grants have been awarded to:

• Anza-Borrego Foundation – $1,500 for translation of interpretive materials into Spanish.
• BASIC (Basic Education for Students in Need) – $28,500 for Summer Learning Academy.
• Borrego Art Institute – $10,000 for gardening skills and nutrition education for grades 1 through 5.
• Borrego Springs High School Basketball Program – $6,593 – this grant “matches” the program’s Go Fund Me initiative, allowing the program to reach its goal of $10,000 to purchase basketball and athletic equipment for the girls’ and boys’ sports teams.
• Borrego Village Association – $10,000 for Emergency First Aid/CPR and Wilderness First Responder training programs.

Congratulations recipients!

As the largest and oldest philanthropic institution in the region, the BVEF is uniquely positioned to support the strategic development of the Borrego Valley for decades to come. Focusing attention on the region’s greatest challenges and using its resources in a targeted, disciplined manner enables the BVEF to realize its vision of Borrego Springs as a vibrant, healthy, and sustainable desert community that serves as the gateway to California’s largest state park. While the BVEF remains dedicated to its original mission of supporting healthcare, it also supports the programs of organizations in the Borrego Valley that are dedicated to addressing the educational, cultural, economic, and social needs of our community.

The BVEF’s mission is to harness the power of philanthropy to create enduring, community-wide benefits for the Borrego region. If you would like to support programs like these or establish a donor advised fund to support the programs and causes you care most about, please visit bvefund.org or contact us at give@bvefund.org.

            Long-time community benefactors, Anne and Jim Wermers, donated the Frugal Coyote Thrift Shop to the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) on January 1, 2023. Upon completion of an in-depth review, both the Wermers and the BVEF concluded this was the optimal way to ensure the Frugal Coyote would continue its charitable mission in Borrego Springs. 

The Frugal Coyote opened for business in Borrego Springs in the early 1990’s and has operated in numerous locations over the years—Palm Canyon Dr., Avenida Nordeste, Stirrup Rd.—and for the last 15 years at its current location in The Center. Initially an independent non-profit, the Frugal Coyote merged with the Children’s Center in the 1990’s. When the Children’s Center was acquired by Borrego Community Healthcare Foundation (BCHF) in the early 2000’s, the Frugal Coyote was a part of that acquisition and came under BCHF ownership. This was a stable ownership arrangement until 2021 when overwhelming legal and regulatory challenges forced BCHF to exit many of its Borrego operations including the Children’s Center and the Frugal Coyote.

            With BCHF’s withdrawal from ownership of the Children’s Center and the Frugal Coyote, both organizations were faced with the possibility of closing. Rather than losing the Children’s Center, the Borrego Springs Youth and Senior Center agreed to take it under its non-profit umbrella, leaving the Frugal Coyote in search of a home.

            Jim and Anne Wermers stepped up to provide that home. “When we re-opened the Frugal Coyote in October 2021, there was no way to know for sure whether it was a profitable business or not. According to the Borrego Health, it operated at a loss. So, we could not honestly find a new home for the Frugal Coyote until we could show its actual financial potential,” said Jim Wermers. “So, we took a chance. We set up an independent accounting system and kept rigorous records. We pledged all profits would be kept separate and given to local non-profits. In the last quarter of 2021, Frugal generated cash flow of $24,000, all of which was given to the Children’s Center. In 2022, we were pleased to see a full year of profitability, allowing us to donate more than $37,000 to local non-profits, including to the BVEF for Frugal’s operating capital and to redistribute to other community non-profits.”

Anne Wermers noted, “We chose to donate Frugal Coyote to the BVEF because of the BVEF’s mission and commitment to support a broad range of community needs. We totally trust the BVEF, and we feel it has the vision and management expertise to serve our community for generations to come.”

            BVEF President David Garmon said, “The ownership and operation of the Frugal Coyote represent a growth step for the BVEF. Such steps were envisioned when the BVEF amended its charter in 2015 to expand its mission beyond its historical roots in healthcare to become a community foundation with a focus on the full range of community interests and concerns.” Garmon added, “The BVEF is pleased to support the Frugal Coyote’s charitable mission in our community. It is a well-run organization and is a great fit with the BVEF mission. The Frugal Coyote is blessed with wonderful management and staff. We look forward to many years of the Frugal Coyote’s continued success.”

Borrego Valley Endowment Fund announces change in Executive Board Leadership

J. David Garmon, MD elected Board President with Robert (Bob) Kelly serving as Immediate Past President and Trustee

The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF), the non-profit community foundation for the Borrego Springs region, has transitioned to new Executive leadership with the election of J. David Garmon MD, as President of the Board of Directors and Bob Kelly, transitioning to the role of Immediate Past President of the Board.

“Borrego has a rich history of philanthropic support for Borrego Springs, and at this time, the BVEF could not be better positioned to fulfill its mission of focusing that philanthropic support on the most urgent needs of our community” said Garmon, who joined the BVEF Board in 2015.

Over the past four years the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund has invested more than half a million dollars in critically needed support for the Borrego Springs community. This includes funding of new life saving paramedic equipment for the Fire Department; efforts to overturn the placement of sexually violent predators in the community; support for the Community Resource Center and Foodbank; funding the Borrego COVID-19 task force, the Borrego Seniors Center, and numerous other local non-profits focused on education, health, and the environment.

“I’d like to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to Bob Kelly, who will be staying on the BVEF

Board and Executive Committee as Immediate Past President, added Garmon. “Bob oversaw the transition of the organization from the Borrego Community Health Society, with its exclusive focus on the Borrego Clinic, to a true community foundation, the Borrego Valley Endowment Fund, with a focus on the broad range of issues that are critical to the wellbeing of our community.”

“In addition to expanding the role of the BVEF in the community, said Garmon, Bob steered the BVEF clear of its parent organization, the Borrego Community Healthcare Foundation, as that organization was losing its way, thereby protecting the funds that donors have entrusted to the BVEF. His vigilance, integrity and leadership have helped create the BVEF of today.”

The change in leadership was effective with the BVEF’s August meeting, with Kelly “virtually” passing the gavel to Garmon as the meeting was being held via Zoom.

The BVEF’s mission is to harness the power of philanthropy to create enduring, community-wide benefits for the Borrego region. If you would like to donate to support our programs, or others that may be of special interest to you, visit bvefund.org or contact us at give@bvefund.org