Meet Louanne and Brian Horsfield: “Helping Our Own Neighbors”

Louanne Horsfield of Davis had been intrigued by Make It Happen for Yolo County after reading an article in the Davis Enterprise and learning her Davis Rebekah Lodge was running a housewares drive for us. That’s when she began making financial donations here and there. But when her husband, Brian, took her to the Rotary Club of Davis’ Big Night Gala fundraiser a few years ago where Make It Happen was the beneficiary, they became two of our most devoted donors.

“When we arrived and I saw Make It Happen was the beneficiary, I warned Brian that we were really going to bid on the Fund a Need portion of the evening,” Louanne said.

While Louanne and Brian have always given to charities and their churches, Louanne stepped up her giving when she turned 70 and had to start making her “minimal distribution to Uncle Sam,” as she calls it. She decided to split the money for her two daughters so they could enjoy it while she was still alive. When the market began doing even better, she decided to also begin donating more to nonprofits.

“I just love these laser-focused local charities, and I wanted to give to some of these groups that are dear to my heart,” she said. “The clients at Make It Happen are just on the cusp of being grownups, and they have had circumstances that made their growing up and ability to thrive more challenging.”

Not only has Louanne been a dedicated donor to Make It Happen, she has introduced us to groups she is part of. At Davis United Methodist Church, she invited our co-founder Jan Judson to speak to her United Women of Faith group earlier this year, which then made a donation.

“Jan told us that we just wouldn’t believe how excited each of these young people get when they get an air fryer that is brand new in the box because they aren’t used to receiving unused items,” Louanne said. “That really spoke to me. I think about my kids and grandkids and how they have a network of support. When you flip the coin and think of not having that, these kids must feel really alone in the world.”

Louanne said she had a father who was “a real disappointment,” but a wonderful mother, and she was grateful to receive scholarships to attend UC Davis. 

“Sometimes you can get enough of those benefits to help you out, but sometimes you can’t, so Make It Happen is really the great equalizer,” she said. “Whether a kid is in college or working and trying to pay rent, it helps to not have to eat on the floor or sleep in a sleeping bag. Make it Happen helps them cozy up their nest.”

Louanne is excited to attend our fall presentation at University Retirement Community, the “permanently docked cruise ship” as Brian calls it, where they live. She was planning to recommend Make It Happen for their speaker series, but another resident made the suggestion first. 

“There are a lot of residents here who want to help out, but you have to know about the organization in order to do that, so I’m really glad we’re bringing Make It Happen here,” she said.

Louanne said she was impressed to hear that Make It Happen had helped 68 clients last year – but surprised to learn that the population of transition age youth in Yolo County is significantly higher. She was encouraged to hear that we had hired an intern who had experienced foster care and could help reach more youth. 

“I was told that many transition-age youth in our community are wary of accepting help because of their experiences,” she said. “There are people who are just too bruised to take advantage of the help, so I’m glad Make It Happen’s intern has walked in their shoes and can reach out.”

Louanne hopes more adults will reflect on who has helped them at some point in their life, whether it was a family member who gave them hand-me-down furniture or someone who made a job recommendation that helped them along the way.

“You can be that difference for somebody through Make It Happen,” Louanne said. “I just think when I’m giving, we are helping our own neighbors. Here are one or two more households getting set up. I picture these kids being able to move forward toward their dreams and ambitions and feel pride in their living circumstances.”