Ralph and Ree Edwards
“I was gifted with a family that has historically enjoyed the benefits of the outdoors…”
The Edwards Family
To honor the late Charles Gresham, Trust for Public Land established the Gresham Challenge, with $1 million from his generous estate gift designated to inspire others to give. Keep reading to meet one of the first Legacy Partners to answer this call, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.
My first introduction to Trust for Public Land was through my good friend and constant promotor and supporter of ambitious projects, Greg Gregory. We are typically getting each other into challenging adventures, and I guess it was his turn.
I support Trust for Public Land because Greg was light and so was the cadre of fellow board members who were squarely in the leadership role of putting together the most transformative public land conservation project in the Atlanta region—the Chattahoochee River Trail. Add to that the now internationally recognized and equally transformative, Atlanta Beltline, which would not have happened without the initial support of Trust for Public Land, now the latest extension of the Chattahoochee Trail. That list of projects continues to grow, and the mission of conserving public land continues to attract the highest quality of dedicated staff and super active board members who apparently don’t have to sleep at night.
The Gresham Challenge was a dream opportunity to accomplish two essential financial objectives. First, to provide the immediate essential funding for local operations, and also ensure future legacy funds for the challenges that will always lie ahead. This bonus, generously funded by Mr. Gresham, gave a deal junkie like me the opportunity to support both critical needs with one gift. It’s like a half-price sale for the good of Atlanta’s future.
I was gifted with a family that has historically enjoyed the benefits of the outdoors, but more and more are faced with the challenges of living in the city when compared with the allure offered by our technological world. Recently, I have seen my grandchildren in awe at their first outdoor hike along the Chattahoochee and their first “overnighter” under the stars and both were encouraged in a big way by this pandemic. But what about the future? This is the pressing big question that needs addressing and I believe Trust for Public Land has proven to have that capability.
I am also very pleased that my family is invested in Trust for Public Land. My daughters were co-chairs of a the successful “Celebration of Land” program at the Martin Luther King home and the photo is of them in attendance at another annual celebration event on the Chattahoochee.
Thus, my favorite memory is the collective experience of having my children and grandchildren with me on our many opportunities to enjoy and celebrate the wonderful works of Trust for Public Land which would not have happened without the efforts of many other members and staff who remain unbelievably dedicated.
Contact us to learn more about making a legacy gift to Trust for Public Land.
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