Willamette Valley Llama Foundation

Raising Funds for Camelid Medical Research since 1987

History of the WVLF Scholarship Endowment

 

In 1993 the WVLF directors approved funding an annual scholarship for a student pursuing a degree in the veterinary medical field.  A scholarship committee was formed under the leadership of Bob Wynia.  He and other volunteers developed the qualifying criteria, distributed announcements of the award and evaluated and selected the recipient.  Included in the criteria besides scholastic achievement was an interest in care and treatment of llamas and alpacas.

 

The scholarship was to be funded by a raffle. An interested farm was asked to donate a pair of pet male llamas.  Tickets were sold at the Llama Bazaar held in conjunction with AgFest at the State Fairgrounds each April.  Donating ranches over the years included Llamas of Central Valley, Bob and Betty Barkdoll; Chula Llamas, Dick and Pat Wickum; Sijama Llamas, Bob and Marilyn Wynia and Glenmor Forest Llamas, Morris Wendorf and Glen Pfefferkorn.  In later years merchandise items were added such as cd players, radios and other electronic gadgets.

 

Ticket sales in those early days exceeded $1,000.  When the raffle fell shy the directors funded the short fall out of the treasury or member donations made up the difference.  In September 2001 the board with the approval of the Jan Crabbe family transferred $382 from the Raven Hill Fund to the scholarship fund.  Jan under the name of Raven Hill Llamas had been a llama breeder in the Corvallis area.  When she succumbed to cancer her llama friends contributed to a memorial fund established by her family with the Willamette Valley Llama Foundation.  They agreed the scholarship being part of the scholarship fund was a fitting tribute to their mother.

 

In 2001 the board recognized the administrative work, staying in compliance with Internal Revenue requirements and establishing a stabilized funding source mandated that a different approach was needed.  After careful deliberation a challenge was issued to llama owners asking they make donations to the Willamette Valley Llama Foundation Scholarship fund to be established in partnership with the Oregon State University Foundation and the College of Veterinary Medicine.  For each dollar donated by an individual the Willamette Valley Llama Association would match the donation with four dollars up to a maximum matching grant of $10,000.  To meet the required fund balance of $12,500 individual donations of $2,500 were required.

 

In 1999 the association had sponsored its first ALSA sanctioned llama show as part of AgFest in addition to its annual Llama Bazaar.  Under the leadership of superintendent Justin Timm the first dual show held on the west coast was a barnburner.  When the bills were paid $11,000 went into the treasury.  This windfall earned through the efforts of one of our youth was identified as the source for the matching funds.  How better to recognize his efforts in perpetuity then to use that money to ensure a scholarship was awarded every year to other hard working individuals and to eliminate the need for annual fundraising.

 

On November 14, 2002 WVLF director Glen Pfefferkorn signed the Endowment Fund Agreement with the OSU Foundation.  This agreement set forth the criteria, the selection process and the awarding of the scholarship.  All administrative work was transferred from WVLF to the Scholarship Committee of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

 

Local veterinarians were instrumental in getting the donation drive off to a fast start.  Dr. Paul Jones contributed $100 and challenged all other vet clinics to meet his donation.  Drs. Pat Long, Kecia Smilie and Greg Fisher met his challenge.

 

Thanks to the following llama owners the balance of the $2,500 needed for the matching grant was quickly met.

 

                 Velta Mack                                                               Fred and Susan Hamlin

                 Glen Pfefferkorn                                                      Rose and Frank Heston

                 Lester and Barbara Reed                                       Landis Consulting

                 George and Kathi Landis                                       Ridgeview Llamas

                 Morris Wendorf                                                       Randy and Barb Lovre

                 Susan Baldwin                                                          Ray and Diane Thompson

                 Louie and Cheryl Derting                                      Judy Robbins

                 Jeff and Molly Westmoreland                             Bruce and Mary Jo Polette

                 John and Joan Griffin                                             Bill and Jeanie Fogle

                 Steve and Susan Sertic                                           Harry and Joyce Abrams

                 Don and Ruth Halligan                                          Bob and Betty Barldoll

                 Dr. Tom and Maggie Keck                                  Bill and Marianne Moore

                 Bob and Marilyn Wynia                                        Dale Heisler and Susan Walker

 

By March 31, 2003 Foundation treasurer Dale Heisler received notice the Willamette Valley Llama Foundation Scholarship Fund was fully funded.

Over $10,000 Awarded in WVLF Scholarships!

 

Willamette Valley Llama Foundation Scholarship Endowment Fund was established in partnership with the Oregon State University Foundation and the College of Veterinary.