The Carlsbad Charitable Foundation’s Founding Board Chair Knox Williams Recognized as Carlsbad’s Citizen of the Year

The Carlsbad Charitable Foundation (www.carlsbadcharitablefoundation.org), an affiliate of The San Diego Foundation (www.sdfoundation.org), is pleased to congratulate Founding Board Chair, Knox Williams, for being recognized as the City of Carlsbad’s Citizen of the Year.

“Knox is a true Carlsbad leader and he is so deserving of this award,” said Pam Valinet, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “Since his time as Founding Board Chair, Knox has worked tirelessly to grow the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation’s membership and visibility in the community.”

Williams and his wife June have lived in Carlsbad for more than 50 years and are well-known in North County for their Rayne Water Conditioning business. A native of Oklahoma, Williams moved to California as a child during the Great Depression and he was the first in his family to graduate from high school and college. After a variety of sales jobs, Williams and his wife bought a Rayne Water Conditioning franchise and set up shop in Vista. To this day, the Rayne sign visible from Highway 78 offers community information, funny anecdotes and uplifting quotes to North County residents. In addition to his work with the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, Williams has been involved with organizations throughout San Diego County, including the Joe and Mary Mottino Family YMCA, the Mira Costa College Foundation, the Noah’s Ark Angel Foundation, and the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center. Williams also recently published an autobiography about his sales career and community work titled, “Opportunity Knox.”

“Knox has touched so many lives with his countless acts of kindness and shared wisdom. Many nonprofits continue to benefit from his tireless efforts to promote their cause,” said John Duca, Director of Regional Outreach at The San Diego Foundation. “Knox is truly one of Carlsbad and this region’s treasures.”

Founded in 2006, the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation (CCF) has more than 105 members who pool their resources on an annual basis to address needs in Carlsbad.  The purpose of CCF is to meet Carlsbad’s emerging needs by encouraging and increasing responsible and effective philanthropy by and for the benefit of all who live, work, learn and play in Carlsbad. To date, the CCF has granted more than $425,000 to organizations serving Carlsbad citizens and has raised close to $500,000 in a community endowment that will support Carlsbad’s needs in perpetuity.

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About The San Diego Foundation’s Community Foundations

The Community Foundations, proud affiliates of The San Diego Foundation, help identify and meet the emerging needs of communities throughout San Diego County by encouraging and increasing responsible and effective philanthropy by and for the benefit of all who live, work and play in the region.  The Community Foundations provide their communities with a vehicle for legacy planning and gifts. The foundations are located in Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Escondido, La Jolla, Oceanside, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo and 4SRanch-Del Sur.  For additional information, please visit www.sdfoundation.org/CommunityFoundations.

About The San Diego Foundation
Founded in 1975, The San Diego Foundation’s purpose is to promote and increase effective and responsible charitable giving. The Foundation manages more than $620 million in assets, almost half of which reside in permanent endowment funds that extend the impact of today’s gifts to future generations. Since its inception, The Foundation has granted more than $890 million to the San Diego region’s nonprofit community. For additional information, please visit The San Diego Foundation at www.sdfoundation.org.