The Joy of Giving

“Al and Kathy have been good friends since we moved to Federal Way 23 years ago. Al helped me find our home, and I’m glad they have found their new home here at Wesley Community Foundation.”
—Kevin Anderson, President / CEO

Al and Kathy met at Kansas Wesleyan University. She had lived in Germany for a year and ran the German Language Lab, where Al was a student. They married 10 days after Kathy’s graduation and, years later, traveled to Germany … where she still had to translate!

They both have had varied careers. Kathy taught high school, was a travel agent and worked for America West Airlines (now American Airlines). Al worked in a family plumbing business and served as a plant manager for various manufacturing companies. He ventured into real estate sales with Windermere at age 54.

They moved into the Brownstone while The Gardens building was being built and now occupy a lovely water view apartment in the lodge.

“We are blessed to have our two daughters and their families−including four grandkids−living in the area,” beams Kathy.

They didn’t “shop around” and moved to Wesley Community Foundation based on Kevin and Wesley Community Foundation’s nonprofit status. They wanted a home where people come before profit and were inspired by Wesley Community Foundation’s benevolence programs.

Al serves on both the Foundation’s Board of Directors and the Des Moines Campaign Committee. He enjoys his time and camaraderie in the wood shop. With proceeds from a real estate sale, Al and Kathy will be joining the Century Circle, Wesley Community Foundation’s highest giving society.

After determining that both daughters are doing well financially, they decided to support Wesley Community Foundation sooner rather than later with a gift to the campaign.

“We want to experience the joy of giving while seeing the benefits of our gift in our lifetimes,” Al says.

Wesley Community Foundation is fortunate they are part of our family.