Amador County – Dozens of local organization members, philanthropists and elected officials attended the retirement party of long-time Community Foundation of Amador County Executive Director Shannon Lowery last Thursday afternoon at Thomi’s Banquet Room in Jackson.

The group helped usher out Lowery’s eight-year leadership of the Community Foundation, during which she helped give more than $1 million to thousands of local charitable organizations, individuals and programs. The festivities also helped welcome the new Executive Director Tina Hurley.

Lowery said she planned to tour in an RV after her retirement, and then possibly travel abroad, all after her husband retires . Attendees last week included new Supervisor Chairman John Plasse, and Supervisors Louis Boitano and Ted Novelli. Also attending were many of the Amador Community Foundation board members, including President Stan Lukowicz, and others.

Some of the many groups which receive funding from Community Foundation programs also attended.

Lucowicz said is was a “bittersweet time” for the Amador Community Foundation, which in the last year surpassed the $1 million mark for spreading funding throughout county projects.

He said the Community Foundation is “increasingly a vehicle for local people to support local projects or know their bequests will be used in our own community.”

Lucowicz said: “We have Shannon to thank for taking us to this point and it’s hard to say goodbye. At the same time, we very much appreciate Shannon’s guidance in helping us find Tina Hurley, who has the experience and skills to help us grow the donor base and expand the support we can provide to the local community.”

The year ahead includes a plan to mark the 10th anniversary of the Amador Community Foundation.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.