At just under 3-years-old, Jack Thomas is Southwest Initiative Foundation’s youngest Growing Home Circle member. He is joined by his sister Molly
and cousins Scott and Samuel Griebel and Audrey and Lucile Burger, who
range from age 5 to 16.
Since 2011, their grandparents Dave and Marlyce Logan have made an annual given in each of their honor.
“We wanted to give them the notion of giving to things that are important,” Dave said.
“It’s sinking in, too,” Marlyce added. The older grandchildren have taken a sincere interest in giving, offering ideas and asking good questions.
The family is intentional and inclusive about their giving decisions. They hold a meeting to discuss worthwhile projects—things happening in their schools, groups they’re involved with, church, and other needs they know about.
A mission pastor and friend, Steve Hanson, shared about a home for people with disabilities in Haiti. Dave, along with son-in-law Mike Thomas who is a
dentist in Marshall, traveled there to provide dental care to every resident and staff member at the home.
“In your life, you know people like Steve, and that leads to what we want to give to,” Dave said.
Marlyce grew up near Pipestone and she and Dave split their time between there and Arizona. Dave is an original partner in New Horizon Farms, which started as a much smaller hog operation in 1993 and today is 15 times its original size, with a feed mill and grain elevator. Marlyce also worked there until retiring in 2007.
Lucile and Audrey’s family recently moved to Cottonwood and Scott and Samuel’s and Molly and Jack’s families live in Marshall.
“It’s wonderful to have all our girls together,” Marlyce said. She enjoys meeting for ball games and school events, but especially having everyone out to their farm.
There’s a special tie to their home community and Southwest Initiative Foundation’s history, too. In the late 1980s, Pipestone was the first community to
support Southwest Initiative Foundation General Endowment and create a permanent resource for economic and social growth throughout the region.
“We should be able to do something for our community,” Dave said, noting their family’s faith plays a key role in their giving. “If you’ve been fortunate and blessed, you have that obligation to share that blessing with those in need.”
