Congratulations to the Robert L. Moles Family of Bellingham who will be honored by the Washington Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as the Washington State “Outstanding Philanthropic Family” of 2010 at a National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon later this year.

The Bernard Thomas family of the Lummi Nation submitted the Moles Family nomination for their many years of support to the Lummi people including donations to Lummi Youth activities as well as the Fran and Bill James Endowment of the Cultural Arts at the Northwest Indian College.   The Lummi Nation relationship with the Moles Family began when Robert Moles, Sr. was a participant in the original Lummi Stommish Water Festival in 1946.

Other not-for-profit organizations who were recipients of the Moles Family generosity include the American Red Cross, Pure Water for the World, Bellingham Rotary Club, Bellingham Bay Rotary Club, Whatcom County North Rotary Club, Whatcom Community Foundation, Whatcom Museum of History & Art, St. Lukes Foundation, the Mount Baker Theatre and many more.

The AFP has sponsored the awards program since 1989 and recognizes outstanding philanthropic achievement by an individual or couple, family, business, foundation, organization and youth.  In addition to the Moles family award, our local Whatcom Community Foundation is the 2010 recipient in the foundation category.