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Minnesota Center for Philanthropy Hastings, MN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Doffing Charitable Fund will benefit Hastings, Wabasha HASTINGS, MN--The Minnesota Center for Philanthropy has announced the establishment of the Ruth and George Doffing Charitable Fund for the benefit of charitable efforts in Hastings and Wabasha. Prior to her death May 22, at age 93, Ruth Gale Doffing of Hastings established the fund and directed that it be funded with estate proceeds totaling in excess of $7.5 million. Greg Carlson, an officer of The Minnesota Center for Philanthropy, said an amount equal to five ,per cent of the fund's value--approximately $375,000 the first year--will be distributed to charitable endeavors in Hastings and Wabasha each year. "We anticipate that the fund's principal will grow each year so that the yearly contribution to charitable enterprises in Hastings and Wabasha will increase correspondingly. During the next 50 years it is conceivable that over $30 million will be distributed." Carlson said. In addition, Ruth gave over $86,000 to the City of Hastings to be used for reading programs. books, computers, and other needed items at the Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings. Ruth Gale was born in Moulton, IA., near the Missouri border Aug. 20, 1910. The family moved to South Dakota and then to Minnesota. Ruth graduated from Minneapolis Central High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Shortly after graduation, she went to work as a teller at Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis and began to cultivate an interest in travel. Ruth Gale and George Doffing were married in 1947 and moved to Hastings the next year. George and his brothers established the First State Bank of Wabasha. He and Ruth also were instrumental in establishing the Hastings Country Club. After only 12 1/2 years of marriage, George died in 1960. (Ov<:r)