Cascade Medical Foundation receives Upper Valley Legacy Grant

LEAVENWORTH — Cascade Medical Foundation has received a $3,000 grant from The  Community Foundation of NCW’s Upper Valley Legacy Fund. 

The money will help build the core Mark Judy Memorial Caregiver Education Fund, ensuring  annual scholarships for Cascade Medical employees, yielding years of benefits in the delivery of  quality healthcare to the community. The education fund provides current Cascade Medical  employees with opportunities to develop skills and advance their careers while working on the  job and helps Cascade Medical retain valued employees, especially in high-demand fields. 

“We’re using the Upper Valley Legacy Funds to continue Mark Judy’s legacy,” CMF Board  Chair Shannon Keller said. 

The education fund was created in memory of Mark Judy, a former CM administrator and CMF  Board Member whose leadership philosophy focused on encouraging individuals to reach their  potential. When he died suddenly in 2023, his community, family and friends looked for ways to  honor his legacy and commitment to helping others.  

“Mark Judy lived by the concept of ‘Ubuntu,’ a South African term from the Nguni languages of  Zulu and Xhosa,” Keller said. “Ubuntu means, ‘we are human only through the humanity of  others.’ If we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will be due to the work and  achievement of others. The Upper Valley Fund Legacy Grant will further facilitate the Mark Judy  Memorial Caregiver Education Fund by doing just that: enabling caregivers to share their  humanity and professional skills to help others. What a wonderful concept!”

The Community Foundation of NCW’s new Legacy Funds Grant program replaces the Regional  Impact Grant program. Legacy Fund Grants provide unrestricted funding to nonprofits by  geographic region in Cashmere, Chelan Valley, Methow Valley, Okanogan Valley, Upper Valley,  and Wenatchee Valley. These funds have been established by donations from local individuals  and families who wanted to create a meaningful legacy to their community. 

Each Legacy Fund Grant has its own criteria, established by the Local Advisory Board (LAB),  comprised of volunteers representing a cross section of each community, including a mix of  long-time and newer residents, working and retired individuals, and community members. Each  LAB reviews applications and awards grants within their respective communities. 

The grant to Cascade Medical Foundation is one of several awarded to Upper Valley nonprofits  this fall. 

For information about the Mark Judy education fund, go to cascademedicalfoundation.org.  Cascade Medical employees will be invited to apply for the next round of scholarships starting in  January.