A Gift From the Olsrud Family to Asante Will Have a Lasting Effect
The family’s donation will help improve health-care services in the community.
MEDFORD, Ore. January 12, 2015 — A Southern Oregon family well-known for their generosity is making a difference in the community once again. Sherm and Wanda Olsrud have donated $500,000 to Asante Foundation to help support important patient-centered projects and programs.
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with some amazing philanthropists during my career and I can say with confidence that Sherm and Wanda are truly the best,” says Floyd Harmon, Asante Foundation executive director. “I am humbled to have the opportunity to work with them.”
Medford residents since 1967, the Olsruds and their grocery business - Sherm's Thunderbird and Food 4 Less - have supported local youth activities, food pantries, and the performing arts for many years. "Asante has provided health care to our family for 40 years," says Sherm and Wanda Olsrud. "We are grateful to the community for supporting our stores, and in turn, we want to support the health-care needs of people in our community."
The Olsruds asked that their gift be used for Asante’s greatest needs. In this case, Harmon says the funds may be used to benefit several initiatives, including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, and the Francis Cheney Family Place in Medford and the Family Place in Grants Pass. “Philanthropy is an important and integral part of our ability to provide quality health care. Asante strives to recruit the best physicians and nurses, to offer the most advanced technology, and to be a valued community partner. We would not be able to do that without the thoughtfulness and generosity of individuals like Sherm and Wanda.” This is the second year the Olsruds have donated to Asante Foundation.
Asante is a not-for-profit organization meaning all funds stay local to support patient and health-care services in Jackson and Josephine counties. Asante Foundation was established in 1973 and is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. The primary goal of the Foundation is to promote and support Asante's mission and values by generating private support and encouraging community involvement. For information about opportunities for giving, please call (541) 789-4371, or go online to www.asante.org/giving.
