Local Girl Makes — and Does — Good: Blanche Fischer's Central Oregon Legacy

In mid-2001, the Blanche Fischer Foundation funded a Central Oregon Resources for Independent Living (CORIL) grant request to act as seed money for CORIL's People on the Move project. The purpose of the project was to develop a new, mentor-based model for returning nursing home residents to the community. CORIL is pleased to be celebrating its fledgling success.

The Blanche Fischer Foundation was formed at the behest of a woman of the same name. Blanche is described by those who knew her as a maverick and a bit irreverent. She was a native of Long Creek, out by John Day, married well and was a successful businesswoman in her own right. She had no children. But after much consideration, she determined that her estate be put into trust to enhance of the lives of low-income Oregonians with physical disabilities.

The Blanche grants are generally modest — they average between $300 and $600 — but what a difference these grants have made! In the recent past in Central Oregon, one man received help paying tuition to COCC and another received specialized work apparel (boots and durable work pants). Thanks to Blanche, volunteer builders and Parr Lumber, a number of wheelchair ramps have been built. The ramps that CORIL has helped facilitate span an enormous geographical area: as far south as LaPine and as far east as John Day.

Blanche has also helped purchase Brain Train software for people in need of cognitive retraining. Most recently, BFF stepped up to the plate with assistance for a battered mother of two teenagers begin to rebuild their lives.

Although BFF prefers not to fund computers or other non-disability-specific hardware, if, say the CORIL Computer Clearinghouse (CCC) can locate a needed personal computer, BFF then may fund specialized software. Last year, Blanche provided software to outfit a computer that came to our clearinghouse from St. Charles Medical Center.

The Blanche Fischer Foundation has consistently supported tri-county Quality of Life (QOL) Fund, located here in Bend. The QOL Fund has provided adaptive high chairs, strollers and even cribs for children with disabilities and purchased an electric razor for a man who had limited ability to shave with a blade. The fund has purchased necessities that have made worthwhile contributions to the quality of lives of people with disabilities who live in Central Oregon.