Gift Annuity benefits Centennial High students aspiring to MHCC

Jill Aho

The Advocate

Centennial High School students have one more reason to attend Mt. Hood Community College, thanks to their latest benefactors, Don and Lois Grufke.

The Grufkes have given $135,000 to MHCC in the form of a gift annuity and asked that it be spent on scholarships for Centennial High School students.

A gift annuity is a tax-deductible donation given while a person or couple is still alive. Upon their death, the money is the college’s to spend in the manner previously decided by the donors. One benefit of this sort of donation is that it pays dividends and provides an income stream to the donors.

The Grufkes have spent their lives helping people. Don is a retired schoolteacher and counselor who worked at Centennial High School. Sunny Klever, the foundation development coordinator for MHCC, said, “He is extremely proud of Mt. Hood, and wanted to help students come here.” Lois Grufke is a retired nurse. Both are in their eighties.

People wishing to donate in this manner must be at least 65 years old. The minimum donation is $5,000. So far most of the donations have been used for scholarships or equipment. MHCC President Robert Silverman said, “When people give a gift, they have an idea where they want the money to go.”

The Grufkes live in Boring. They have lived in their home for 23 years and have been married for 57 years. They have no children.