Louise Sallstrom has a family legacy of generosity and charitable works. It is a tradition her husband, Dr. John Sallstrom, cherishes and wants to hand down to future generations.

So, on their 40^th wedding anniversary in 2009, John surprised Louise by creating the Louise L. Sallstrom Fund set up through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia.

Louise called it “the best gift I’ve ever been given,” and said John contributes to the donor advised fund each year on her birthday, at Christmas and on their anniversary.

“Louise has a big heart and inherited generosity genes from both sides of her family,” John said. “I wanted to recognize her family heritage, give her money to donate to causes that are important to her, and to designate successor advisors from our children.”

John hopes their two daughters will follow Louise’s example and use the fund to support charitable organizations that are helping people in need.

“Of course, they’ll have their own interest areas to support, and this fund will create an avenue to do that,” he said. “My main hope is that by starting this fund, our children and grandchildren will be inspired to help others.”