From the Sky to the Earth

“Volunteering outdoors saved my soul from being lost,” says Scott James. Scott retired from the aviation industry in 2017 and moved from Atlanta to Loveland, CO. The transition wasn’t easy at first.

“I wasn’t able to pass my flight physical and that meant I can’t fly planes anymore. I literally bawled like a baby as my plane taxied away. It was the culmination of my career. That happened right before I moved to Colorado, so I was kind of lost.”

Scott is now an avid trail volunteer and chain sawyer with WRV “I was raised hunting and fishing,” says Scott, whose phone is now filled with photos taken during outdoor volunteer projects. “Obviously, I believe in WRV,” says Scott. “We evolved to be outdoors, not in big buildings with fluorescent lights.”

Scott says his philanthropy has changed since getting involved in volunteer work.

“This kind of thing [restoration volunteering] just isn’t done on the East Coast…Most of my giving now is going to groups that are really hands-on. It makes a big difference to give to groups that get people involved…it’s much more satisfying. You can see what you’re doing. [I can say,] ‘I worked on that trail.’”

When asked what he would say to someone considering a gift to WRV, Scott simply replied, “Do it!”

In addition to making gifts to WRV during his lifetime, Scott has included us in his estate plan. WRV is deeply thankful to Scott, whose gifts have made a significant difference in our ability to meet our mission.

If you’d like to make a legacy gift to WRV, please contact Sarah Egolf-Tarr, Director of Development, at 303-543-1411, ext. 108.