The Giving Town Podcast: Top 5 Takeaways from “The Austin Family Legacy” Episode

This story is published in partnership with The Giving Town podcast, created and hosted by local realtor Daniel Roberts. We extend our gratitude to Daniel for sharing his interview with Newsberg to summarize and share with the Newsberg audience. You can listen and learn more about The Giving Town at its website.

Daniel Roberts’ The Giving Town Podcast aims to share stories of hope and generosity in Newberg. Since 2018, the podcast has released bi-weekly episodes featuring stories that highlight the voices of different community members, organizations, histories, and events, illustrating the culture of the town and its community.

“The Austin Family Legacy” episode, published on March 5, explores the legacy of the Austin family in Newberg. Known for their philanthropic parents and entrepreneurial success in their own lives, Loni Parrish and Ken Austin III sat down with Roberts to discuss the family history, businesses, successes, hardships, and goals for the future.

While the podcast contains valuable conversations worth a full listen, we have compiled a list of the five main takeaways from the episode:

The Austin Family Legacy Extends Far Beyond A-dec

While most people in town know the Austin family for their major dental equipment enterprise, A-dec, they also own and oversee many other local businesses and organizations. This includes the  Allison Inn and Spa, the Austin Family Foundation, and various independent projects founded and run separately by Ken and Loni. Ken and his wife, Celia, own Rain Dance Vineyards located next to The Allison Inn & Spa, and Loni is the founder of ART Elements Gallery on 1st Street. 

Their Empire Came from Very Humble Beginnings

Despite being one of the most well-known names in Yamhill County, the Austin family did not always have the success they are known for today. Both Joan and Ken came from humble roots in Newberg, and as a couple struggled to provide for their family before founding A-dec. As the company grew, so did the Austin family’s generosity. The company’s success allowed them to give back to the community by donating and caring for land, providing jobs, offering resources, and engaging in various charitable acts.

The Springbrook Master Plan is Still in the Works

One of Joan Austin’s biggest dreams was to transform the Springbrook property in northern Newberg. Now her children and grandchildren are making that dream a reality by continuing to draft their master plan for the property. So far, this includes creating a natural preserve of Hess Creek, new hiking trails, and renovating for community housing. This project has been especially important for Ken and Loni as it allows them to involve the third generation of Austin-Parrish in the family business. As the plan continues to develop and change, the Austin family intends to update the Newberg public on their ideas.

The Austin Family Foundation Small Grants Program Needs Applicants

While the Austin Family Foundation’s larger grant program is invitation-based only, they also offer a Small Grants Program, which is currently seeking applications. This program offers local nonprofit organizations in Newberg up to $10,000 in monthly donations from the fund and focuses on community, health, and education programs. They are eager for more nonprofit organizations to reach out. For more information, applications are available at this link.

Help Your Neighbor

If there is one core value that the Austin family lives by, it is generosity. Ken and Loni believe that the Newberg community is strongest when helping one another, and despite our differences, we are overall a community of giving and selflessness. They live by the philosophy that being rich in what your neighbor lacks obligates you to share, a belief instilled in them by their parents. They hope that Newberg can continue to flourish as a community of helping hands and are ensuring their family legacy will be representative of that hope.

For more information about this episode and The Giving Town Podcast, visit YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or the Giving Town Website.

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