STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The 350 members of the Wood River Women’s Foundation gave themselves an extraordinary season-ending present.

They reached their goal in providing a half-million dollar endowment fund, announced Barbara Thrasher  at the philanthropic organization’s annual Christmas party.

Thrasher noted the generosity included contributions from a 9-year-old and extended to members of the foundation who are in their 80s.

“Twelve years ago when we started this I could never have envisioned so many women in such a small community coming forward and being part of this,” she said. “This is my favorite time in the valley because it’s a time when we recognize how giving we all are in making gifts for the community.”

The endowment fund will ensure that the spirit of philanthropy planted by the organization will go forward for generations and generations to come, she added.

The Wood River Women’s Foundation has granted $2 million to dozens of nonprofits in the valley since it was founded, said Janet DeBard, a member of the organization’s President’s Council.

For information, go to www.woodriverwomensfoundation.org.