Paul Nixon’s legacy lives on
Paul Nixon’s legacy lives on through his community impact.
A big community presence with an even bigger heart. VERNON, BC, March 22, 2021 – For all of us living in the North Okanagan, we can easily recognize the landmark that is the law offices of Nixon Wenger on 30th Avenue. Paul Nixon, was instrumental in planning and constructing those offices. Sadly, Paul passed away in November 2020, he had a big community presence and an even bigger heart. Over the years, Paul had a tremendous impact on the North Okanagan, not only through his law career but also through his dedication and support to the charitable sector. In 1975, Paul, along with other members of the Vernon Rotary Club saw the benefit of a charitable society that focused on local community needs. They fundraised that first $1,000 donation from a like-minded colleague and started what is essentially the “community savings account”. This became the beginning of the Community Foundation North Okanagan, originally named the Vernon Benevolent Society.
Paul was a founder, created the first constitution, and remained a board member for decades. “It’s impressive that forty-six years ago, Paul and the other Community Foundation founders had the foresight to build a renewable source of funding to support the valuable charitable work in our region.” Leanne Hammond, Executive Director, Community Foundation North Okanagan, says as she reflects on the many charitable collaborations that Paul was part of over the years. Paul Nixon was loved and respected by all who knew him. Colleagues, clients, friends, neighbours, and most of all his family were enriched by his warm heart and reliable wisdom. He had a genuine interest in the North Okanagan lifestyle. From boating, swimming, and snowmobiling with his children and grandchildren to tending the fields of his ginseng farm, Paul’s greatest pleasures in life were the moments he spent with those closest to him. Paul’s deep sense of integrity and belief in community meant that he helped many organizations throughout his lifetime. He actively supported a variety of capital projects for charitable organizations and was especially passionate about supporting, the Boys and Girls Club, Community Futures, Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, Community Foundation North Okanagan, North Okanagan Community Life Society, and Kalamalka Rotary Club. To continue Paul’s commitment to making a difference in our community, his family, friends, and colleagues have established the Paul Nixon Legacy Fund, at the Community Foundation North Okanagan. We invite you to contribute to this fund created to provide grants that support the community and organizations that were close to Paul’s heart.
For more information on making a donation in memory of Paul, please visit www.cfno.org/paul-nixon or contact Leanne Hammond at 250.542.8644 or [email protected]. About Community Foundation North Okanagan The Community Foundation of the North Okanagan is a grant making charitable organization, dedicated to improving the lives of people in our community. We bring together the financial resources of individuals, families, and businesses to support effective non-profits across the North Okanagan region. Over the past 45 years, we have proudly distributed over $9 million in grants, to help build stronger and more resilient communities.
