The Road Ahead

Many of you already know me, but for those of you who do not, let me give you the short version. I am a Sonora native who retired last year after a 32 year career in land use planning and public works administration. In retirement, I was a member of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity for Tuolumne County and was chair of Habitat’s construction committee during the start of its Parrotts Ferry Village project. I have recently joined the Sonora Area Foundation as its Executive Director and thus start my new working career journey.

I succeed Greg Applegate at the Foundation, who for over 20 years at the City of Sonora was my sounding-board; occasional conscience on my shoulder; and more importantly, he always was a good friend. Greg brought special qualities to the Executive Director position that the Foundation is sure to miss. Of particular note was his love of Tuolumne County which only deepened as he became more active with the charitable efforts of the Sonora Area Foundation. We all wish Greg the best in retirement with his family in Idaho as he moves forward on his road ahead.

As Greg and I focus on our roads ahead, so, too, does the Sonora Area Foundation. It is a fair observation that the road has been a little bumpy over the past couple of years. However, the Foundation’s Board of Directors is clearly focused on its road ahead, and continues to work together to strengthen our communities and families through the good works for which the Foundation is known.

To date, approximately $924,000 in grants has been awarded this year within our community, and grants will be awarded again in December. In October, we presented the Sonora Trust Forum, providing educational information to local professional advisors and potential donors on how to best work with the Foundation and its programs.

As we move toward the holidays and the season of giving, take a look down your road ahead. Consider how your own role in charitable giving within our community may be accomplished. Our giving guide, “Giving Back in Tuolumne County,” helps answer questions that you may have about achieving your financial and charitable goals through the Sonora Area Foundation.

Our journey has been an amazing one so far, and the Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff would very much like you to join us on the road ahead. You will be seeing me out in the community, and I would enjoy the opportunity to speak with you. Feel free to stop by the office at 362 S. Stewart Street, give me a call at 533-2596, or send me an e-mail at edwyllie@sonora-area.org.

The needs are many, and your participation is critical as we move forward.

Ed Wyllie
Executive Director
Sonora Area Foundation