In a way, the Veterans Family Fund of America owes its origin to the Golden Rule—do unto others as you’d have them do unto you. It emerged as an expression of the values of a family in the 1950s who raised their daughter to ask herself every day what she could do for someone else.

The girl was Jane Jacobsen, who has vivid memories of accompanying her grandmother on Friday mornings to deliver fresh bread anonymously to hungry families. Now executive director of the Confluence Project in Vancouver, Washington, Jane was pondering the stories she heard daily about the urgent needs of veterans who had been serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Remembering the words and deeds of her parents and grandparents, she wondered whether there was something she could do to help veterans and families who were sacrificing for this war. She thought of the war bonds sold during World War II. Was there a vehicle like that—something tangible and free of politics—to give the money for emergency help that so many veterans needed?

“I kept reading about how desperate some returning vets are,” Jane said. “It makes you feel guilty. As the rest of us walk around enjoying life, the people who’ve sacrificed most are being ignored.”

Jane sounded out friends with business and government connections before approaching Michael C. Worthy at the Bank of Clark County. His immediate enthusiasm inspired and gave momentum to the Veterans Family Fund™ CD. Soon, John Lee at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs was onboard representing an agency that was connected to veterans and could identify needs. Alling Henning Associates and principal Betsy Henning provided critical help with the nuts and bolts of marketing and business planning.

There was a lot to do to figure out how the Veterans Family Fund would work for banks and how supporters could be assured that the money would go directly for the intended purpose. Through regular meetings in Olympia and Vancouver, and outreach to Governor Christine Gregoire and people in the banking industry, the circle of support has widened day by day.

A grassroots movement was born, giving new life to the generous spirit of a little girl’s family in the 1950s.