George Hinkle is a local treasure. This athletic octogenarian bubbles with delight when he is enthusiastic about something. And he is enthusiastic about many things!

       For one, he is an avid practitioner of living a healthy life. It wasn’t always so. When George was 48, his doctor asked, “How long do you want to live?” The answer: “I want to outlive my dad.” The doctor replied, “Right now my money is on your dad,” and he advised George to quit smoking, lose some weight, and exercise.

      By the age of 50, running in 10K competitive events became part of George’s routine and later, at 57, he ran his first marathon. He has since run three. Today, his routine is to walk or run three days, weight train three days, and bike on Sunday.

      A cancer survivor, George credits his excellent physical condition with helping him to fight that disease. George is also a tap dancer. He has performed several times this year — in May at the Veterans Memorial Theatre and this summer at American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life events in Davis, Auburn, and Woodland. In addition, George takes time to volunteer for Citizens Who Care and for Rebuilding Together, as well as serve on the Davis Senior Citizens Commission. Did we mention he loves to tell jokes?

      A year or so ago, having acquired a sizable amount of money from the sale of property in South San Francisco, George realized that for the first time he had the means to make a substantial financial contribution to others. A retired barber, teacher, and realtor, he had never thought of himself as a philanthropist.

      A friend suggested he talk to the Yolo Community Foundation. YCF helped George set up a donor advised fund, which enables donors to participate in grant making. George formulated this guide for his giving: 1) give locally; 2) the more people benefitting, the better; 3) support activities that improve people’s lives. With his donor advised fund, George makes recommendations to YCF for projects that fulfill his criteria.

      George says, “Probably the biggest benefit I see is that YCF makes sure that the organizations are doing what they are supposed to do. But most of all I have the enjoyment of being involved and seeing what my gift can do while I’m still around. It’s a nice feeling.”