Sinclair retires from Glade M. Edwards Foundation

Karen Sinclair is stepping down from her position on the board of the Glade M. Edwards Foundation and a new appointment will be made for her vacancy. Sinclair has been on the board for approximately more than 20 years. 

The foundation was formed by Glade Edwards, who passed away. He was not married and didn't have any children and he left his entire estate to the foundation. It was formed in 1985 and the principle was worth around $500,000 and $600,000. Edwards left it for the good of Hot Springs County. Edwards was a rancher who lived in the Black Mountain area. Sinclair said, "It was a wonderful gift he left our community and county because the money was left with the purpose of giving it to good use in the community." 

Sinclair continued and said, "Some of the things that we've done over the years have been supportive of the sair awards. We've done that. We've done things for the hospital, for Gottsche, for the library, the Senior Citizen Center, the Town. Anything that's a 501c3, or a nonprofit, is eligible to receive money from this foundation. The money spent is just the earnings that come from investment earnings. We never touch the principle. Some years we have more money to distribute and some years there's been less money. It's been amazing to see the different entities that have been supported by this."

Sinclair said the experience working on the Glade Edwards Foundation has been interesting because most years the requests are fairly close to what the available money has been. However, the request for aiding the purchase of new sprinklers at the golf course was greater than their full ability. 

Sinclair added her personal view about seeing if the Foundation could be expanded. She said, "I would love to see it grow. I would love to see people donate money into this foundation to grow the pot to make it so there's more." 

The people that have been on the foundation have been Sinclair, Jim Wilson and Dana McDermott. The positions are court-appointed. But now Sinclair has fully vacated her position. Wilson and McDermott will come up with a name they are recommending to take on the vacancy of the third position. Sinclair will not have any part in nominating her replacement. 

Regarding why Sinclar stepped down, she said, "For me, it was just time to move on. I want a younger person to come in with new ideas. I want younger people to know what it feels like to serve in the community, to know the joy it brings you to do that." 

For some of her proudest moments, Sinclair said, "I just love that we've always supported the fair. Every year we've always done that. I think Glade would be very proud of that because he's a ranch guy and the fair is celebrating rural kids as well as city kids. I think my proudest thing is we are doing what he wanted, fulfilling his mission."

Sinclair added, "I think it's time to pass the gauntlet. For those of us that have done it for years, we need to let other people experience what I did, which was pretty amazing to watch and be a part of something like that. I want somebody to experience that, the ability to serve and encourage young people."