Fall 2003

Seattle Lighthouse Creates Charitable Foundation to Support Programs

“For many years we have wanted to establish a permanent foundation for ongoing support of Lighthouse activities,” explains Patrick Sullivan, board chair of the newly formed Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation. “We suggest that those interested in seeing the mission and programs of the Lighthouse continue into the future consider including the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation in their will.  Under IRS regulations, each year 5% of the assets placed into the Foundation endowment fund will be used to further programs of the Lighthouse. We anticipate that assets placed in endowment will also grow over time under the care of professional investment managers that have already established an excellent track record while overseeing other funds for the Lighthouse.”

Incorporated in December of 2002, the new Foundation has already received a substantial gift of $89,448.68 through the estate of Evelyn S. Egtvedt. An active local philanthropist, Evelyn passed away at the age of 101 on November 19, 2002. A portion of her estate was designated to support the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind.  Her generous planned gift has been placed in the new Foundation where it will remain in perpetuity, generating funds annually to support programs such as computer training for blind adults, sign language interpreting services for Deaf-Blind employees and purchase of specially adapted equipment for blind machinists.

Evelyn’s late husband, Clairmont L. Egtvedt, joined the Boeing Company in 1917 as a draftsman and mechanical engineer after graduating from the University of Washington School of Engineering. Before retiring in 1966, Mr. Egtvedt served as president, general manager and chairman of the board. While serving as William Boeing’s immediate successor as board chair, Mr. Egtvedt oversaw production of larger and more complex planes such as the Clipper, Stratoliner, Flying Fortress and Superfortress.

“It seems fitting that the first planned gift placed in the new Foundation has such strong ties to the Boeing Company,” Patrick adds. “After all, blind and Deaf-Blind machinists at the Lighthouse have been manufacturing parts for Boeing commercial aircraft for over fifty years. We are deeply honored to be remembered in this way by Mrs. Egtvedt.”

For more information on the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind Foundation, bequeathing gifts through wills, or planned gifts that can provide you tax advantages and income for life, contact Director of Public Relations and Resource Development Kirk Adams at 206-436-2110 or kadams@seattlelh.org

Previous Page | Horizons Main Page | Home