GLENDALE : Social Activist Leaves $600,000 to Charity
A Glendale social activist and philanthropist has left $600,000 in trust to fund a nonprofit community foundation benefiting local health, youth and cultural agencies.
The board of trustees of the Glendale Community Foundation accepted the money Tuesday from the estate of Don Packer, a former president of the foundation board and a longtime resident who once owned a local Studebaker dealership.
The money was transferred after Packer’s widow, Dorothy Lee Weller Packer, died last month, said Randall Melby, an attorney for the estate. Packer died six years ago.
“He really felt a lot about Glendale, was very involved in Glendale and has been for his whole life,” said Glenn Cornwell, 72, also a former foundation board president. “Since he didn’t have any family--his only son died in World War II--and since the city meant a lot to him, he said, ‘Gee, the city has been good to me all my life and I want to give it back.’ ”
The 37-year-old foundation has given nearly $1 million to about 100 local charitable agencies. With Packer’s donation, the foundation’s assets exceed $2.3 million.
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