Meet Bruce Vesper, an LCSNW ‘Hope Holder’

Investing isn’t always a word people associate with time. However, the ways people spend their time is often as much an investment as how they manage their money. The end goal of both is a shared one—a future worth building.

This is a concept Bruce Vesper is well acquainted with. Between his 20-year career in the Navy and membership in the Freemasons for 50 years, Bruce’s personal experiences have taught him service, integrity and the importance of building strong communities.

In the late '90s, Bruce was living in the Tri-Cities and working at the Hanford Site. As a lifelong Lutheran, he volunteered to join a Lutheran Community Services local council that included representatives from each local Lutheran church. With a background in healthcare from his days in the Navy, he felt like it was a good fit.

However, he came to truly understand the value of LCS Northwest’s services when he began experiencing mental health challenges. With stressors from multiple areas of his life, Bruce felt he needed immediate attention but his healthcare providers did not make him a priority. He called LCSNW, and the social worker said she would meet him that day.

“It was just what I needed,” Bruce said.

At that time, LCSNW was ramping down adult mental health services, but staff worked with him closely to get him connected to people who could help.

“If it hadn’t been for them, I really dread what might have happened to me,” Bruce said.

His personal experience with LCSNW led him to become a “real supporter” of the agency and its community impact. He has supported the agency financially for 19 years, in addition to serving six years on the Board of Directors.