The Sunny Fields Fund was created by the Willing Hands Board of Directors in honor of founders Jack and Terry Lyons to ensure the long-term viability of Willing Hands.
Jack and Terry were instrumental in the success of Willing Hands in its early years and have continued to support, advocate, and care for our organization in various roles over the past two decades. Jack served as the first Chair of the Willing Hands Board of Directors and continued to serve on the Board for more than 10 years. Terry also served on the Willing Hands Board of Directors and began the Willing Hands Nutrition Education Program. Both were unfazed by the growing pains of a young organization and helped Willing Hands to overcome various obstacles such as funding shortages and van break-downs with their optimism and ability to engage the community.
Before starting Willing Hands, Jack and Terry purchased a property in Thetford and planted blueberry and raspberry bushes as the “Sunny Fields Berry Farm.” With the help of Cedar Circle Farm, two acres of Jack’s berry farm property became Willing Hands’ first organic vegetable garden and a catalyst for the relationships and collaborations Willing Hands now has with many farms and orchards around the Upper Valley. Jack passed away earlier this year at the age of 95.Â
The Sunny Fields Fund honors Jack and Terry’s kindness, generosity, and commitment to bettering the community and continues their legacy of securing the future of Willing Hands. As a Board-designated fund, it is set up to ensure the long-term health and viability of Willing Hands. All principal distributions from the Fund require a Board vote and are intended for exceptional circumstances. Income from the fund may be used under the Board’s discretion to support operations.
This board-designated fund was publicly dedicated to the Lyons Family at our 20th Anniversary Celebration and Open House event on October 10, 2024.
For more information or if you’d like to donate to the Sunny Fields Fund, please contact Executive Director Gabe Zoerheide at 802 698-0265 or director@willinghands.org