I am honored to be the person to share some very happy news. In short, over $62,000 has been donated in Wayne Naillon’s memory during the last six months!
Many of you shared your sorrow when Wayne Naillon suddenly passed away last spring. Wayne was a friend to so many people, especially in the mountain biking and Tillamook State Forest communities. Wayne led many volunteer trail maintenance parties for over 15 years on the Tillamook State Forest and was a dedicated advocate for mountain bikers and other recreational users.
Wayne was also a dedicated road biker who completed many brutal Cycle Oregon tours, supporting local communities throughout the state. Wayne took his last hike on the Crown Zellerbach Trail that goes from Scappose to Vernonia. That trail was loved by Wayne and he hoped we could someday ride it all the way to the Pacific Ocean, a dream that will be realized when the Salmonberry Trail is funded and built.
We are honored with the huge support we have received in Wayne’s’ memory. This includes:
1. A donation of $2500 by Lenore LaTour to the Tillamook Heritage Trust in Wayne’s memory. The trust plans to place a log bench in Wayne’s honor on the Wilson River Trail.
2. A donation of $3000 to Kinship House by the Windermere Foundation on behalf of Lenore LaTour. Kinship House is a Portland non-profit that provides out-patient mental health services to children and their families. Kinship House plans to name a therapy play room in Wayne’s honor. Lenore was a friend and neighbor of Wayne’s and did an outstanding job of selling his Irvington home for his estate. She is donating a portion of her commission from Windermere Stellar in Wayne’s memory. This donation is especially meaningful to the people who knew Wayne as a life-long professional in mental health and advocate of disadvantaged youth. Wayne cared for over 60 foster kids out of his Irvington home after graduating from college and finished his 40 year career as a counselor for Multnomah County Mental Health and Addiction Services.
3. Over $6000 in donations FROM MANY OF YOU, friends and family, to the Wayne Naillon Trail Fund at US Bank. We will be spending that money to support trail maintenance on the Tillamook State Forest and Crown Zellerbach Trail in Columbia County.
4. And last but not least, the Oregon Department of Forestry issued the following press release!
News Release
Release date: Dec. 23, 2016
Contact: Mike Cafferata, Oregon Department of Forestry, Forest Grove District Forester,[email protected], 503-359-7430
A gift that gives back for Oregon’s forests
The Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust, a non-profit organization that provides educational experiences to help Oregonians better understand and appreciate the Tillamook State Forest, received a $50,000 grant donation in the memory of Wayne Naillon. Through this donation, the donor, a close friend of Mr. Naillon, hopes to honor her friend by providing opportunity for others to experience Oregon’s state forests and contribute to this effort.
Wayne died earlier this year after a brief battle with cancer. He was a dedicated volunteer and advocate for trails and recreational users on the Tillamook Forest for over 15 years. Wayne logged countless hours working on trails, organizing work parties, supporting trail system planning, helping secure grant funds, and advocating for trail system development and improvement. One of Wayne’s many strengths was valuing everyone he met. He was well-known in the mountain biking community and was an active member of Northwest Trail Alliance.
The Trust is using this generous $50,000 donation to create the State Forest Recreation Fund. This donation, and others received for the Fund, will be used to support recreation management activities on State Forests, and to develop a sustainable source of funding for recreation system maintenance and volunteer support for years to come. The Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust has established a State Forest Recreation Fund to receive this and other donations. The Trust is a 501 (c)(3) organization and all contributions are tax deductible.
For more information about how to get involved, donate or to learn more, go to the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust website: http://tillamookforestcenter.org/about_04.html or contact Ross Holloway, Executive Director for the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust directly at [email protected]
(End of Press Release)
The donor had hoped to donate the $50,000 as a “challenge grant” to encourage others to contribute to the Fund to support trail maintenance on the Tillamook. Unfortunately, the state has rules that prohibit it from soliciting donations, so I will ask you myself. If you would like to be part of matching this initial challenge grant, and be a founding contributor to the State Forest Recreation Fund, please send your check to:
Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust
Attn: Ross Holloway, Executive Director
2600 State Street, Bldg B
Salem, OR 97310
Checks should be made payable to the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust, and note that it is for the State Forest Recreation Fund.
We are hopeful that the Tillamook Forest will name some trails or other features after Wayne so his memory will never be forgotten. Our donations are a testament to his character and the impact he had on us and our community.