A Word About Carol Milgard
The Carol Milgard Breast Center was named to honor the spirit of Carol, a long-time Tacoma resident, philanthropist and 30-year breast cancer survivor. The breast center has become a reality because of a generous contribution from the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation.
Carol was the wife of Gary Milgard, the founder of Milgard Windows. More than a decade ago, Carol started a volunteer program at the company called Matching Gift/Community Action Team. It had only six contributors that year, but the program grew to include more than 6,000 volunteers who gave $300,000 back to the community. Carol’s community service efforts shifted into higher gear after the Milgard’s sold the company in 2001, and concentrated their efforts on the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation.
The Milgard name is linked to some of the largest donations of recent record in the Puget Sound region. One of them is the donation of $5 million to support the tenant improvements and capital equipment costs for establishing The Carol Milgard Breast Center.
Carol provided the Milgard foundation with its philanthropic vision, drive and heart. Perhaps even more important than the donations she directed was her ability to bring out the best in others to support efforts she championed and other community needs. Carol’s heart always focused on her family, friends, and her community. Her children serve on the foundation’s board to continue their legacy to continue to give back. Her grandchildren have also become engaged in the foundation, ensuring future service to the community.
For decades people have been inspired by Carol to reach higher to make the community a better place for our children — to give back in order to fully receive what we ourselves have been given. Carol understood the importance of truly appreciating the hard work, dedication and loyalty of the people around her.
And, within the Center, Carol Milgard’s spirit lives on.
