Preserving the Gorge while looking to the Long-term

Peter Frothingham and his wife ElVida Walrod, have made their "little bit of heaven" in Odell, OR their base for giving back to the community they love. Peter always knew he wanted to be an active member of his community. Since coming to the area twenty-seven years ago he's found his own way to do so by providing massage therapy to patients in hospice and other activities. When asked how he came to provide such a unique and generous service, he says he considers it his calling and plans to provide comfort and relief especially to seniors during his retirement.

He also chose to serve Hood River County by protecting the land itself. His interest in land use inspired him to serve on the Hood River Valley Resident's Committee for close to ten years before becoming an appointed member of the Hood River Planning Commission.

This year Peter became the very first Friends member to set up a Charitable Gift Annuity to protect his beloved Gorge even after he passes from this life. When asked what inspired him to make such a significant and transformative gift to Friends, he deflected the praise and spoke of the practical side of his gift-tax benefits, great returns, steady income now and continued support for Friends in the future. But we know better-- when asked what he wants see in the Gorge in the near future he said what he would like to see most is the defeat of the proposed oil terminal in Vancouver and stopping the massive increase of oil trains that it would bring to the Gorge. Thank you, Peter! Your blend of activism and philanthropy inspires us all to keep looking forward.