Become an ABFI Donor

Why I Give…

“PEACE OF MIND”


(First in a series of columns based on member chats with Paige Haller, ABFI’s Director of Donor Relations.)

With their home in San Clemente, Mark and Debbie Gale have long been beach people; indeed, they currently are the “Legends World Champion Tandem Surfing Team.” (“Yes, that means old guys,” Mark explains.)

Mark and Debbie in competitive form. From this, their dream is to retire to Borrego Springs

But then, a few years back, they discovered the inland sands of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and have become both responsible off-roaders and avid hikers. “It’s a very calming, majestic, and enlightening place. Every visit we discover something new, something we’ve never seen before. Whenever possible, we leave the desert a better place than we found it.”

What the Gales particularly appreciate about ABFI is its “pro-active approach to protecting the environment.” This is a contrast to what they’ve encountered on the Southern California coast. “To be frank, when I saw my favorite beach written up in Newsweek as one of the most polluted – and my family had to get shots as preventive measures before surfing – I felt as if my donations and efforts to stop what was happening to my beach had failed. And a good part of the reason for this was that the move to save it was reactive in nature – after the fact, after the damage was done. On the other hand, when donating to the Foundation, you’re fighting the good fight (up front) to keep a pristine environment as it is. Could you ever imagine needing to get shots so you could enjoy Anza-Borrego?”

Mark speaks from workplace experience; he formulates plans for emergency management for Southern California Edison. And he supports us through the company’s matching gift campaign. “Even though ABFI wasn’t on the charity list Edison gave me, I was still able to select ABFI as an option by providing its tax ID number [for the record, #33-0334338].

“Not only does the desert lend Debbie and I peace of mind, but contributing to ABFI gives us further peace of mind in knowing that this amazing land will be preserved for our kids Jessica and Heston – and beyond – to enjoy.”

Debbie behind the wheel of
their restored 1973 VW “Thing”