We are proud to honor the 2022 Excellence in Philanthropy Award winner, the Eagles. In 2022 members of The Dalles Eagles Lodge, and Oregon State Eagles traveled more than 17,000 miles through 5 different states on their journey, raising money in a variety of ways for the Celilo Cancer Center. Their donation of over $42,000 will be used for both the new linear accelerator project and to assist patients at Celilo Cancer Center. We are truly grateful for their support of MCHF and The Dalles Community
Past Recipients
Congratulations to Vesta Smith, winner of the 2021 Excellence in Philanthropy Award. She sets the bar high for being generous and aware of the needs of others in her community
Vesta never fails to surprise us with her generosity. She has been a donor to the Mid-Columbia Health Foundation for more than 17 years. In that time her donations have helped pay for nursing scholarships, new equipment for MCMC, assistance for patients in need, and so much more. She has been a constant source of encouragement, positive energy, and knowledge.
For these reasons, and because of the additional countless charities and projects she supports, we are honored to present the Mid-Columbia Health Foundation Excellence in Philanthropy Award to the one and only Vesta Smith.
2020: Masons Named Outstanding Philanthropic Group
Philanthropy is defined as good will to fellow members of the human race. That definition goes a long way to describe the winner of the 2020 Outstanding Philanthropic Group, the Wasco Masonic Lodge, better known as the Masons. The history of the Masons spans decades and is built on the values of brotherly love, relief and truth. Under these principals the local chapter of the Masons provides programing support for The Dalles Art Center and the SMART program. They help fund the Community Backpack Program, putting food in the hands of children and families. They provide grant funding for teachers in our local schools sharing the burden of educating today’s youth. They sponsor contests and volunteer their time in the community. They provide $6,000 worth of scholarships to graduating seniors in the Columbia Gorge each year. They ask nothing in return.
2020: Dr. Peter & Mrs. Karen Peruzzo Named Outstanding Philanthropists
The 2020 Outstanding Philanthropist Award was awarded to Dr. Peter and Mrs. Karen Peruzzo.
The Peruzzos started donating to the Mid-Columbia Health Foundation in 2001, and they have been yearly donors ever since. As a retired physician and medical office assistant, they both have a deep understanding of what it means to truly care for people. Among their other community involvement, they have shown particular interest in supporting the Chaplain’s Fund, which helps patients of MCMC’s medical system facing emergency situations. The Peruzzo’s support of the Chaplain’s Fund over the years has made it possible for our most vulnerable community members to have the medications and supplies they need as they are discharged from the hospital. Their support has helped to provide gift cards for the hungry, and temporary shelter for those in need. They have provided handmade quilts as raffle prizes and volunteered their time for various community projects. All of this has been done quietly. Not in secret, but without any expectation for praise or acknowledgment.