Twenty-five years ago the historic Yuma Theater was facing the threat of demolition. But Don Soldwedel, a Yuma resident and board member for the Arizona Community Foundation, was unwilling to see that happen.
Along with wife Luda, Soldwedel gathered support from fellow residents Stephen P. Shadle and F.C. Braden. Together they spearheaded an effort to save the theater, resulting in its purchase for $42,000 - an asset that established the first Yuma-area fund at the Arizona Community Foundation.
They may not have known it then, but the seeds had been planted for the future of the Yuma Community Foundation.