Babcock estate donates $200,000 to AVC and Grace Resource Center
A Lancaster woman with a heart for the poor and an appreciation for nurses has left part of her estate to Grace Resource Center and the Antelope Valley College Foundation.
Both the foundation and the center were presented with $100,000 checks today by representatives of the estate of Roy and Helen Babcock.
“Mrs. Babcock contributed to the Antelope Valley College Foundation three years ago with a gift of $10,000 … and we are so grateful to be remembered in her estate plans,” said Bridget Razo, executive director of the college Institutional Advancement and Foundation Office.
The college gift will be matched with another $100,000 from a federal Title V grant to become part of Antelope Valley College’s permanent endowment to provide additional resources to the college.
“Her generous gift will be matched dollar for dollar, translating into $200,000 that will work to support education at AVC for generations to come,” Razo said.
“This is the largest gift we’ve received specifically for our operations,” said Grace Resources director Steve Baker. Baker said the money would go a long way toward efforts by Grace Resources to feed 100,000 people a year and helping people to support themselves. “You never know when someone will be moved to remember what we do in this way.”
It was Helen Babcock’s wish to direct the money to the two organizations following her death six months ago. Her husband died 10 years ago, according to estate trustees Robert and Judy Laven.
Helen Babcock was a farm girl who grew up in the Depression era, according to Judy Laven. She had a long-time desire to be a nurse, but was not able to pursue her dream.
When she spent time in the hospital just prior to her death, Babcock wanted all the more to contribute to education, the college and its nursing program.
“The nurses were such a blessing to her she wanted to provide for the nursing program,” said Judy Laven.
AVC’s associate degree nursing program graduates two classes annually. There were 70 graduates in the most recent class.
As for Grace Resources, Babcock had donated to the non-profit organization in the past.
“She thought that Grace (Resources) was a light to the community,” said Judy Laven.
The donation to Grace Resources comes just days before the organization marks its 16 th anniversary in the community on July 1.
Grace was started through the Antelope Valley Ministerial Association to help provide for the poor in the community. Initially, Baker was its lone employee along with 16 volunteers giving groceries to about 1,500 people a month.
Today, the organization has eight paid staff and 400 volunteers feeding 8,000 people a month, as well as providing job and life skills training to the needy, according to Baker. This is done through counseling, welfare-to-work type Personal Order Wisdom Ethics Relationships (POWER) classes, and computer training classes.
Grace also plans to start a culinary arts class later this year.
“It’s not just about giving groceries,” Baker said. “We really want to make a permanent difference by helping people increase their incomes.”
The Babcocks were residents of the community since the early 1950s. Helen worked at Sears prior to retirement. Roy was a long-time employee of Northrop Grumman.
June 28, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Liz Diachun, (661) 722-6300, ext. 6071 or
Steve Baker, Grace Resources, (661) 940-5272
