Spring 2011 - Retirement Housing Foundation

Charitable Giving“. . . It’s An Honor To Serve Others”Making their home in Charlottesville, Virginia, long-time RHFvolunteers and donors, Ray and Caroline East have served theRetirement Housing Foundation since 1995.As RHF celebrates its 50th anniversary, we also celebratethose who have helped us along the way through their timeand support.“Sometimes our decisions are life-changing, and my joiningthe RHF Board after being approached by Sally Wright wastruly one of those decisions. I knew Sally Wright, the RHFdirector of communications, from having worked on a bookas a photographer for the Disciples of Christ whichtold the story of the denomination and many of itsAfrican American churches. She was a former newspaperreporter, and we used to talk about coveringthe news. She had suggested that it was time for theRHF board to consider adding a person with televisionmedia knowledge, and I was the one she approachedand asked if I might be interested. What a tremendoushonor it is to be able to serve others,” says Ray.Currently, serving as Chair of the board’s CharitableGiving committee, Ray worked for NBC for 36 yearsmostly in the Washington DC area, as the Art Directorand artist/photographer. He did courtroom sketchingfor several years, including some of the Watergate trials (he was inthe courtroom as the only artist the morning the burglars werearraigned). He won an Emmy for his work in television before retiringin 1999. Ray, whose nickname is “Corky”, enjoys tennis andphotography, which he still does commercially. With great pride,he personally photographs many of our communities, providingimages for our publications and corporate offices.“RHF affords us the opportunity to reach those who really needaffordable housing and actually make a home for them,” says Caroline.As an RHF Advisory Commission member, she represents RHF atcommunity events across the country and advocates on a number ofissues affecting seniors and affordable housing. Caroline worked asa teacher and guidance counselor for 27 years and recently retired inJune 2010. She enjoys volunteering for the African-AmericanTeaching Fellows in Charlottesville, as well as antiquing inher spare time.In addition to RHF, the East’s community service extends toa number of other non-profit boards in the Charlottesvillearea. Ray served on the JAUNT board for about 10 years.JAUNT provides special needs transportation for the cityof Charlottesville and four counties in Central Virginia. Healso is finishing up six years of service on Charlottesville’sSenior Center board.-22-