Where would this community be without the support of philanthropists who offer their resources so generously for the good of others? The death this week of Joe Vallotton, a prominent local attorney whose charitable giving through the years benefited all of us, offers an occasion for thanking those private donors who give what they have.
Vallotton, who never sought recognition for his charitable acts, gave about $2 million worth of property as gifts where he saw a need. City officials say the only reason the Vallotton Youth Complex bears the attorney’s name is because they insisted the Vallotton name be used. Most recently, in 2005, land was given to the City of Valdosta for the next fire station and ambulance station.
In April, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lowndes County Inc. was able to burn its mortgage thanks in part to The Langdale Foundation. The CAC’s new facility was dedicated in the memory of Delores M. Parrish, a longtime employee of The Langdale Co.
The Dewar family’s support of education recently resulted in a $2 million gift to Valdosta State University. To honor the family, gave its College of Education a new title — the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education.
Joe V. “Bud” Dasher realized the need for more cardiovascular services in Valdosta after he suffered a heart attack in 1996. He gave South Georgia Medical Center a donation of $500,000 in May 2000, then recently pledged an additional half million dollars. This generosity toward the heart center will ensure that other local residents with medical needs get the treatment they require.
While not everyone has the financial resources to give as much as the donors listed here have, there are other ways to serve, as those who participated in this past weekend’s Relay for Life demonstrated. Giving of one’s time to a cause such as the American Cancer Society is as valuable as the gifts donated by philanthropists.
We should all aspire to follow these generous donors’ example and give to charitable causes, not because of the recognition it can bring, but because it’s the right thing to do for our community.
