Merle Waite is a quiet, kind-hearted woman from Penticton who made an important decision to create lasting impact in her community. 

Merle and her husband Fred moved to Penticton in 1993 to enjoy their retirement.  In 2005, Fred passed away but Merle continued to be active in her community.  

Since moving to Penticton, Merle has done some casual work but has spent her time volunteering at community events such as Ironman, Fest-of-Ale, and the Soupeteria. 

Merle’s biggest passion is gardening and animals.  In fact, it is because of her deep love of animals that she always knew she would support animal welfare charities in her will. 

 “I was always planning to leave money in some way to support animals,” said Waite.   After speaking with the Executive Director of the Community Foundation, “I felt the best way to do that was to create an endowment fund so that it wasn’t just gone,” added Waite.   

There are several ways to create an endowment fund from one’s will, with the most common method being to designate the Community Foundation as a beneficiary in the will.   

“It’s good to have a contract in place so that it’s not something you’re wondering about,” said Waite.  With the contract in place, the Community Foundation is now very clear about Merle’s wishes for her fund and will work to carry out those wishes forever.